Structure of the Curriculum

Sociology of Religion (PS)

Course PDF
Sociology of Religion (PS)
COURSE OUTLINE
GENERAL
SCHOOLSchool of Economics and Political Science
DEPARTMENTSociology
Level of StudyUndergraduate
COURSE CODE431047
COURSE TITLESociology of Religion (PS)
Independent Teaching Activities Weekly Teaching Hours CREDIT UNITS
Lectures – exercises 3 6
TOTAL 3 6
Course TypeSpecial Background
Prerequisite CoursesNo
Teaching and Examination LanguageGreek
THE COURSE IS OFFERED TO ERASMUS STUDENTSYes
Course Webpage (URL)https://eclass.uoa.gr/courses/SOC222/
(2) LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

  1. They understand the way religion forms the basis for the creation, reproduction, and transformation of society and culture
  2. They present and compare the classical sociological approaches to religion (Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Simmel) regarding the sources, functions, and dynamics of religion in modernity.
  3. They systematically understand the most important sociological theories that have addressed the relationship between religion and society.
  4. They understand how religion shapes human identities and social relations, and they recognize and conceptualize the relationship between religious practice and belief in the modern era.
  5. They analyze contemporary social phenomena through sociological theories of religion.
  6. They research and apply knowledge regarding religious stereotypes and investigate whether and to what extent certain religious practices may be involved in the construction, maintenance, and reproduction of social inequalities.
  7. They synthesize theoretical and empirical knowledge for understanding the relationship of religion with globalization, migration, multiculturalism, and identity conflict.
  8. They develop substantiated discourse around issues of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, universality, and social cohesion.

General Capabilities

  • Promotion of free, creative, and inductive thinking
  • Cultivation of democratic consciousness
  • Respect for diversity and multiculturalism
  • Exercise of criticism and self-criticism
  • Demonstration of social, professional, and ethical responsibility and sensitivity to issues of social discrimination and injustice
  • Recognition of the value of scientific knowledge and its limits
(3) COURSE CONTENT

The course aims to highlight the multifaceted relationship between religion and society—a relationship that has historically been shaped by economic, political, and cultural factors, and how it is dynamically evolving in the contemporary world. It includes, first, the classical theoretical analyses by the founders of sociology (Karl Marx, Émile Durkheim, Max Weber, and Georg Simmel) regarding the sources, meaning, and dynamics of religion in modernity. These focused either on the social functions that strengthen social cohesion, or on the promotion of cultural values that advance economic and political rationalization, or on the legitimization of the existing social order. Second, we examine contemporary approaches that define religion as a central institution (a system of beliefs, rituals, and experiences), outline their typologies, and describe the social characteristics of the major religions. Third, the course examines the contemporary, unifying and/or conflictual dynamics of religion in relation to major social processes such as secularization and the return of the sacred, globalization and the politicization of religion, nationalism, fundamentalism, and the clash of identities, migration and multiculturalism, as well as the promotion of intercultural and interreligious dialogue and the values of ecumenism within and beyond the Western world. Finally, the course examines how sociological research methods can be used to verify or challenge common assumptions and widely accepted «truths» (stereotypes) regarding religious beliefs, practices, and groups.

(4) TEACHING & LEARNING METHODS – EVALUATION
DELIVERY METHODFace to face
Information and Communication Technologies
  • Use of ICT in teaching (PowerPoint)
  • Course support via E-class
Activity Semester Workload
Lectures 39
Literature study and analysis 39
Assignment preparation (Mandatory) 72
Course Summary 150
Student Evaluation
Process Description Evaluation

Evaluation Methods:

  • Mandatory written individual assignment

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  • Oral examination (by exception)

Evaluation Language: Greek

(5) RECOMMENDED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Suggested Bibliography

  • Nikolaidis, Apostolos, Sociology of Religion, Athens: Grigoris, 2011.
  • Beghzos, Marios, Phenomenology of Religion, Athens, Pedio, 2018.

Related Scientific Journals

  • Sociology of religion,
  • Archives de sciences sociales des religions,
  • Human

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