Sociology of Religion*

L T P C
3 0 0 3
Course Type: Major/Minor Core
Course Level: 200
Course Credits: 3
Course Prerequisites: One 100-level course
Course Description:

Society or social constructs largely shape religion. In fact, religion itself is a social construction.
Religious beliefs, practices and performances are comprehended as an outcome of this
relationship between society and religion. The course Sociology of Religion adopts a
Sociological approach in studying religion. Students will be introduced to various
methodological perspectives to understand religion. This will be achieved by reading certain
classical and contemporary works (readings/chapters) on religion and religious phenomena.
Course Outcomes:

1. Understanding the subject matter and scope of Sociology of Religion

2. Understanding various theoretical perspectives of Sociology of Religion
3. Comprehending the various elements of religion

Module 1: Introduction (6 hrs)

1.1 The subject matter and scope of Sociology of Religion.
Be̕teille, Andre .2002. “Religion as a Subject for Sociology”, in Sociology Essays on
Approach and Method. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. pp 184-200.
1.2 Development of Sociology of Religion as a field of enquiry.
Grace Davie. 2004. “The Evolution of the Sociology of Religion.” Chapter 5 in Michelle Dillon
(ed.), Handbook of the Sociology of Religion. Cambridge.
Module 2: Theorizing Religion (9 hrs)
2.1 Classical interpretations of religion.
Durkheim, Emile. 1995. “The Elementary Forms of Religious Life”, Translated by Karen E.
Fields. New York: The Free Press. Book one and Conclusion, pp. 21-44, 418-448.
Weber, Max. 2001. “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism”. Translated by Stephen
Kalberg. England: Roxbury Publishing Press, pp.103-126.
2.2 Religion and Science

15
Malinowski, Bronislaw. 1948. “Magic, Science and Religion and Other Essays”. Selected, and
with an introduction by Robert Redfield. Boston: The Free Press, pp. 37-50.
Robert Wuthnow. 2003. “Is There a Place for Scientific‟ Studies of Religion”?” Chronicle of
Higher Education, January 24, 2003. http://www.psywww.com/psyrelig/wuthnow.html
Module 3: Religion and Symbolism (8 hrs)
3.1 Religion, culture and symbolism
Geertz, Clifford.1973. “The Interpretation of Cultures”. Selected Essays. Basic Books,
Religion as a Cultural System, pp.87-125.
Van Gennep, Arnold. 1960. “The Rites of Passage”. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul.
Module 4: Elements of Religion (9 hrs)
4.1 Ritual
Turner, Victor W. 1967. “Betwixt and Between: The Liminal Period in Rites de Passage.” The
Forest of Symbols: Aspects of Ndembu Ritual pp. 93-111. Ithaca: Cornell UP.
4.2 Myth
Malinowski, Bronislaw. 1948. “Magic, Science and Religion and Other Essays”. Selected,
and with an introduction by Robert Redfield. Boston: The Free Press, pp. 119-124.
4.3 Time and Space
Evans-Pritchard. E. E. 1963 (1940). "Time and Space." In The Nuer. Oxford: Clarendon Press,
pp. 94-98,100-108
Module 5: Shifts in the study of religion (9 hrs)
5.1 The Rationality paradigm
Smith, Jonathan Z. 1998. "Religion, Religions, Religious." Critical terms for religious studies
pp. 269-284
5.2 Religion and ethnicity
Prema Kurien. 2002. “‟We are Better Hindus Here‟ Religion and Ethnicity Among Indian
Americans.” Pp. 99-120 in Jung Ha Kim and Pyong Gap Min (eds.), Religions in Asian
America: Building Faith Communities. Altamira Press.
5.3 Secularization
Smith, Donald, E. 1963. India as a Secular State Princeton University Press, Princeton. Pp.1-
40.

Evaluation Scheme with schedule: 70% of the grade will be determined through continuous
evaluation, and an end-of-semester examination will contribute towards the remaining 30%.
The following modes of assessment will be followed for the continuous evaluation:
1. Quizzes : 4 (out of 5) quizzes, each for 2.5 points = 10 points

16
2. Short Assignments/Tests : 4 (out of 5) tests, each for 5 points = 20 points
3. Long Test/Analytical Assignment : 2, each for 20 points = 40 points
Each module will have one quiz and one test in the week where the module is completed. The
long tests/analytical assignments will be held mid-way through the course and at the end of the
course, prior to the end-of-semester examination.

17