Religion, Individual and Society - an Introduction to the Sociology of Religion

This course provides an introduction to the scientific study of religion as it is done in humanistic social studies. Sociology views society as an arena of social interaction, between individuals who subjectively experience reality, while at the same time believing this is an objectively given common reality. From this perspective, in the study of religion as well as the study of social life, two basic matters present themselves as crucial and may be pursued both theoretically and empirically. Firstly, how do the dynamics of social interaction form the religious life of a society? Secondly, how does a fully developed religious institution influence the members of a given society in terms of their interaction, experiences, and opinions?
The course will also provide further study of the methodological and theoretical issues related to the study of religion, as well as deeper study of selected topics in the history of the disciplin. The course will thereby provide a further understanding of various approaches, how theories are formed, and related issues.

According to the course curriculum, a candidate who passes this course is expected to have the following learning outcome (defined as knowledge and skills):

Knowledge:
The candidate has attained
- knowledge of the central research questions in the sociology of religion
- knowledge of empirical research, in principle and in practice, and the ability to differentiate religion as a phenomenon from religion as a notion of discourse
- knowledge of the dialectics between religion as a social form and as a matter of individual experience
- knowledge of the interdependency between conceptions of man and definitions of religion
- knowledge of the mutual influence in the relations between religion and culture

Skills:
The candidate has acquired skills to
- erect and elaborate research questions in sociology of religion
- establish empirical inquiries in sociology of religion
- analyse religious institutions as well as individual everyday religiosity
- identify and discuss implicit conceptions of man in definitions of religion
- assess the ethical implications in research projects in sociology of religion

Instruction consists of lectures and seminars. In order to take the exam a written assignment must be submitted (2000-2500 words) and approved by a deadline announced at the beginning of the semester. The exam consists of a written assignment (3000 - 4000 words).