| CLASS TIMES: | Th 6:00-8:50 Office hours are Th 4:00 – 6:00; By appointment |
| LOCATION: | Dollye M.E. Robinson Liberal Arts Building Room 263 |
| INSTRUCTOR: | Dr. Thomas Kersen |
| OFFICE: | Dollye M.E. Robinson #305 |
| EMAIL ADDRESS: | Thomas.m.kersen@jsums.edu (preferred mode of communication) |
| PHONE: | 601-979-3040 |
| DEPT. WEBSITE: | http://cola.jsums.edu/show.asp?durki=796 |
| COURSE WEBSITE: | http://tmkersen.wordpress.com/ |
TEXTBOOKS:
Johnstone, R.L. 1997. Religion in Society. 8th Edit. Prentice-Hall. (J)
Recommended: Kephart, W.M. and W.W.Zellner, Extraordinary Groups, 6th Ed., St. Martins, 1998. (KZ)
PURPOSE: A study of religion as a social institution impacting both the individual and the larger society. Students explore how social groups acquire and express religion, the religious functions for individuals and societies, and the role of religion in legitimating existing social structures as well fostering social change.
INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES:
At the conclusion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Apply sociological concepts to study of religion.
2. Distinguishing between the sociological, other academic traditions, and theological approaches to the study of religion.
3. Understand and explain the functions/dysfunctions of religion for the individual and for the broader society.
4. Explain the basic techniques used by researchers to measure and define religiosity.
5. Describe the basic types of religious systems.
6. Describe and explain the significant current trends regarding religion in the United States.
7. Explain the reciprocal impact of religion and other major institutions in America, i.e., government, education, business and economics, criminal justice, the family, etc.
8. Give an informed presentation on one topic selected from the list accompanying this syllabus.
METHODS OF EVALUATION
A point system will be utilized with the breakdown being as follows:
10 Essay Memorandums = (10 x 10) = 100 points (all students)
Semester paper/presentation = (40+10) = 50 points (graduate student)
Final grades are calculated as a percentage of the student’s earned score to total possible score of 100 points for undergraduate students and 150 points for graduate students. I DO NOT CURVE GRADES.
All essay memoranda are to be turned in on the day the topic is to be discussed. Papers are to be typed with a cover page specifying a title (e.g. Memo on Question 1), name of author, date, name of course, and professor. Papers are in memorandum style with in-text citations where appropriate as well as a bibliography at the end of the memorandum. Be sure to restate each question. Use Times Roman 12 point font. No emoticons, pictures, etc.
The graduate paper assignment is to be completed by April 19. Very brief presentations will be scheduled for April 12. The format rules laid out above for the memos apply here except for the paper style which will present an introduction, review of the literature, summary/conclusions, and bibliography. Papers should be typed, double-spaced and contain subtitles, footnotes, and references (use ASA format). Be sure to number your pages. Topic ideas are listed at the end of this document. Papers should be around 10 pages in length.
Tentative Schedule
(Note: Students are expected to come prepared each class period to substantively contribute to the topic at hand.)
| DATE | TOPICS/TASKS | CHAPTER |
| PART ONE | ||
| January 12 | Introduction/Sociological Perspective | J. 1; Read Kersen’s Blog about Sociology of Religion and comment. Complete Belief-O-Matic quiz |
| January 19 | Sources of Religion | J. 2; KZ. 3. Gypsies |
| PART TWO | ||
| January 26 | Religion as a Group Phenomenon/The Church-Sect ContinuumMovie: “The Holy Ghost People” | J. 3-4; KZ. 5. Hasidism |
| February 2 | Becoming Religious or Non-Religious | J. 5; KZ. 1. Old Order AmishPaper topic due |
| February 9 | Religious Conflict | J. 6 |
| February 16 | Alabama-Mississippi Sociology No Class | |
| February 23 | Religion and Politics | J. 7; KZ. 8 Jehovah’s Witnesses; Turn in Exercise 2 |
| PART THREE | ||
| March 1 | Religious Fundamentalism | J. 8, 12; KZ. 7 The MormonsTurn in Exercise |
| March 8 | Religion and the Economy/Religion and the Class System | J. 9 – 10 |
| PART THREE | ||
| March 15 | Spring Break | |
| March 22 | Women and Religion | J. 11; KZ. 4 Church of Christ, Scientist |
| March 29 | Black and Native American Religion | J. 13; KZ. 6 Father Divine Movement |
| April 5 | Denominational Society | J. 14; KZ. 2 Oneida Community |
| April 12 | The Future of Religion | J. 15 |
| April 19 | Term Papers/Presentations | |
SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNERS: Please discuss any special needs or special accommodations with me at the beginning of the semester or as soon as you become aware of your needs so that we can work together to support your learning. Jackson State University complies with the American with Disabilities Act. If you have or think you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both me and the Office of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator or Compliance Office, P.O. Box 17999, Jackson, MS 39217, (601) 979-3704 as early as possible in the semester.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT: Jackson State University is committed to creating a community that affirms and welcomes persons from diverse backgrounds and experiences and supports the realization of their human potential. We recognize that there are differences among groups of people and individuals based on ethnicity, race, socio-economic status, gender, exceptionalities, language, religion, sexual orientation, and geographical areas. All persons are encouraged to respect the individual differences of others.
CAVEAT EMPTOR: Please note that I reserve the right to change anything listed on this syllabus by advance or extenuating circumstances, in class verbal and/or online notification. It is your responsibility to know and follow all the written guidance given by the instructor in this syllabus. Be sure to frequently monitor your JSU email account.
CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY: All students at Jackson State University must fully commit themselves to their program of study. One hundred percent (100%) punctual class attendance is expected of all students in all scheduled classes and activities. Any absence from class will be recorded for which a student does not provide written official excuse is counted as an unexcused absence. I will rely on JSU’s attendance policy when dealing with absences so be sure to read that policy in your student handbook. Students must understand that even with an official excuse of absence; they (students) are responsible for the work required during their absence. I consider being mentally present as important as physical presence, therefore, you will ensure your cell phones are put away and will not disrupt the class. I will warn you only once.
ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENT
| From Page 60 of Jackson State University’s Undergraduate Catalog for 2007-2009To make perfectly clear that Jackson State University expects and insists that students are honest in their efforts to obtain an education at the University, any student found to be dishonest in acquiring, using or reporting information, or in any other manner be violating established academic codes of conduct will face a stiff penalty for the assignment/requirement in question.Students must be honest in all their endeavors of academic matriculation at Jackson State University. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other act of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. In case where evidence is sufficient to establish that a student cheated or was otherwise dishonest in completing a test, paper, report, etc., the penalty will range from repeating the assignment to expulsion from the University.Procedures:
• The instructor discusses with the student any evidence of dishonesty with tests, assignments, or other requirements and the resulting consequences (e.g., based on documented sound evidence, the instructor may require the student to repeat the assignment, complete an alternate assignment, or record a reduced grades of “F” for the assignment; based on circumstantial evidence, the instructor may talk with the student about the importance of honesty in the academic environment). • The student is expected to accept established consequences for acts of dishonesty and hopefully, pledge to refrain from committing any further acts of dishonesty. In the face of circumstantial evidence, it is expected that the student will show the instructor respect in discussing the matter and come to understand the importance of avoiding the appearance of dishonesty. • If the student disagrees with an instructor’s charge of academic dishonesty and the subsequently imposed penalty, the student must make a written appeal to the department chair for relief. • The chair, in consultation with appropriate individuals or through a committee structure, secures documentation of dishonesty, determines if the charge is valid and/or the penalty is reasonable, or if the evidence is suspect and the charge and penalty should be dropped. The chair submits a written response to the student within ten days. • If the student disagrees with the chair’s decision, the student will submit a written appeal to the college dean within ten days. • The dean provides the final written response within ten days, which may be done with committee input and/or in consultation with the Vice President for Academic Affairs. • Students who commit repeated acts of dishonesty may be referred to Student Life with a recommendation for suspension from the University. NOTE: In any case of alleged academic dishonesty, the disciplinary process should be initiated within ten days and handled in a professional manner. |
TOPICS
| Religion and Science | Self-concepts and God concepts |
| Defining religion | Historical development of religion |
| Functions of religion for the individual/for society | Native American Religions |
| Measurement of religiosity | Life Types of religious organizations |
| Primitive religion, i.e., Durkheim’s The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life | Religion and economics, i.e., Weber’s The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism |
| Religious commitment and conversion | Religion and education |
| Tawney’s Religion and the Rise of Capitalism | Race and religion, prejudice |
| Religion and communal life | Religion and the selection of a vocation |
| Religion and deviance, delinquency, criminality | The role of the clergy |
| Religion and rites of passage | Religion and entertainment, recreation sports, the arts, etc |
| Religion and social change (facilitator and prohibitor) | Social class and religion |
| Religion and social activism | Politics and religion, voting patterns |
| New religious movements | Historical development of religion in America religious pluralism |
| Religion and death | Religion and family life |
| Religion and mental and physical health | Religion and patriotism, war, and power |
| Religion and the occult | The future of religion |
| Civil religion | Cross cultural aspects of religion |
| Religion and technology | Religion and creativity |
| Religion and leisure | Comparison of American and foreign religions |
| The “Electronic Church” | Government regulation of personal beliefs |
| Women in Religion | Sexual values and practices and in religion |
| Other topics of your choosing will be considered if have a sociological focus. | |
