Seminar SOC 5341.01
Survey of the Sociology of Religion

Instructor: Paul Froese
Email: Paul_Froese@baylor.edu

This survey course is intended to introduce students to basic trends in the sociology of religion and inspire new research ideas and agendas.   We will touch on key theoretical debates and popular areas of interests.  Because we do not have time to cover many contemporary research topics, students are encouraged to do outside reading.  

Requirements

Below, I have outlined the reading requirements for each week.   In addition to completing the reading, you will be expected to write a 3-5 page “thought piece” for each class and email them to the entire class by Sunday evening.   These pieces are intended to raise questions, highlight key points, and generally present ideas for discussion.

I have assigned a discussant for each class period and this person should come prepared to lead discussion for that week.   Come with questions for the class, outside readings, and highlight thought pieces.

A final paper of 20 pages in length will cap off the course.   This paper will be a research proposal which explores an area of interest to you.  The content of the paper is flexible based on your interests and area of study.  I will explain this assignment in more detail in class. 

Readings

Casanova, Jose.  1994.  Public Religions in the Modern World.  University of Chicago Press.
Gill, Anthony.  Rendering Unto Caesar: The Catholic Church and the State In Latin America.  University of Chicago Press.
Kohut, Andrew; Green, John; Keeter, Scott; and Robert Toth.  2000.  The Diminishing Divide: Religion’s Changing Role in American Politics.  Brookings Institute Press.
Norris, Pippa and Ronald Inglehart.  2004.  Sacred and Secular: Religion and Politics Worldwide.  New York: Cambridge University Press.
Sageman, Marc.  2004.   Understanding Terror Networks.  University of Pennsylvania Press.
Smith, Christian.  1998.  American Evangelicalism:  Embattled and Thriving.  Chicago University Press.
Stark, Rodney and Roger Finke.  2000.  Acts of Faith.  University of California Press.
Young, Lawrence.  1996.  Rational Choice Theory and Religion.  Routledge.

Schedule

 Discussant
January 14:   Introductions
January 21:  No class MLK day
January 28: Young, Part 1 Draper
February 4:  Stark and Finke, Intro and Parts 1, 2, and 3 Whitehead
February 11:  Sageman Johnson
February 18:  Smith Bollen
February 25:  Kohut Ivanovich
March 3:  Stark and Finke, Part 4 and Appendixes Labouff
March 10:  Spring Break 
March 17:  Casanova Moser
March 24:  Easter Break
March 31:  Gill Ye
April 7:  Norris and Ingelhart Tonoyan
April 14:  Young, Part 2 Draper & Whitehead
April 21:   Froese handout
April 28:  No class
May 5:  Presentations