TRS5912 - Sociology and Anthropology of Religion

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge and understand of sociological and anthropological approaches to the study of religions
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key themes and topics in the sociology and anthropology of religion;
Analyse key issues in the sociology and anthropology of religion, including research ethics
Assess and produce appropriate tools for conducting research into religions
Conduct research into sociological and anthropological approaches to the study of religion using online and library resources.

Content:

The module will cover key sociological and anthropological studies, methods and critiques as applied to the study of religions. Themes will include the relationship of religion/spirituality with culture and the challenges to anthropological definitions of religion/culture from religious studies, sociology, post-modern and post-colonial cultural studies. Sociological topics include the relationship of secularisation, nationalism, globalisation and development to religion, as well as transnational forms of religion and religious revivals. Anthropological topics may include kinship, ethnicity, personhood and power, as well as methodological issues such as cultural translation, positionality and research ethics. Additionally, there is a practical element to this module. Students will have the chance to assess and design methodological tools, such as questionnaires.

Learning and Teaching Information:

This module will be taught by different lecturers in each half. One half will focus on the sociology of religion and the other on the anthropology of religion, in either order. The whole module will be taught in plenary sessions which will make use of a blend of teaching and learning methods. These will normally include: lecture-style presentations by the tutor, seminar-style discussion of a particular topic, informal prepared presentations by students and other methods as appropriate. Guidance on research and essay writing will be embedded in the learning and teaching process throughout the module.

Lectures/Seminars
Contact hours: 40
Intended Group size: 15-20

Guided independent study
Hours: 160

Further details relating to assessment
Presentations will be on critical terms or theories in sociology and anthropology of religion

Assessment: