This syllabus is developed for a semester long course introducing the sociology of religion at the undergraduate level. There are three goals in the course. The first is to review the ways that major thinkers in sociology have tried to define, approach and analyze religion. The second is to use these theoretical lenses to interpret materials that represent some of the variety and vitality in religious life that exists in America today. Through a series of short essays, and class discussions students will be challenged to use the analytical lenses provided to make sense of a variety of religious experiences. Through these essays students will individually and as a group, develop an individual critical perspective of the religious experience in America.

This syllabus was created for the Young Scholars in American Religion program.

Patricia M.Y. Chang
Author

University of Notre Dame
Institution

Private College or University
Institution Type

Syllabus
Resource Type

Undergraduate Course
Class Type

1999
Date Published

Religious Studies, Sociology
Discipline

Catholic, General Comparative Traditions
Religous Tradition

Class/Power, Pluralism/Secularism/Culture Wars, Race/Ethnicity
Topics