IGESS (Institute for Global Economics and Social Sciences)

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SOC200GA(社会学 / Sociology 200)
Religion and Society

Mitsuru NIWA

Class code etc
Faculty/Graduate school IGESS (Institute for Global Economics and Social Sciences)
Attached documents
Year 2021
Class code C0245
Previous Class code
Previous Class title
Term 春学期授業/Spring
Day/Period 月2/Mon.2
Class Type
Campus 市ヶ谷 / Ichigaya
Classroom name
Grade 1~4
Credit(s) 2
Notes
Open Program
Open Program (Notes)
Global Open Program
Interdepartmental class taking system for Academic Achievers
Interdepartmental class taking system for Academic Achievers (Notes)
Class taught by instructors with practical experience
SDGs CP
Urban Design CP
Diversity CP
Learning for the Future CP
Carbon Neutral CP
Chiyoda Campus Consortium
Category General Education Courses/総合教育科目
Global Open Program/グローバルオープン科目
Faculty Sponsored Department Intercultural Communication

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Outline and objectives

Students will learn anthropological approaches for interpreting issues regarding religions, societies, and the relationships between them. This course will not be centered on theological discussions, details of religious teachings, or categories of religions. Instead, we will focus on how people practice religion, how they relate themselves to it, and, ultimately, how religions are related to society.

Goal

Students will:
-Understand basic anthropological approaches to religion.
-Improve their interest in and ability to understand 'others' as familiar existences through comparative perspectives.
-Acquire the ability to reflect on themselves with the help of 'others', and unfamiliarize the familiarized.

Default language used in class

英語 / English

Method(s)(学期の途中で変更になる場合には、別途提示します。 /If the Method(s) is changed, we will announce the details of any changes. )

大学の行動方針レベルが2となった場合、この授業は原則としてオンラインで行う。詳細は学習支援システムで伝達する。

The course consists of quizzes, lectures and reaction papers. In each class, students will first take a quiz on an assigned text, then listen to a lecture, and finally write a reaction paper. Students will be able to request the feedback on quizzes and reaction papers through e-mail.

Active learning in class (Group discussion, Debate.etc.)

なし / No

Fieldwork in class

なし / No

Schedule

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1:Introduction

The outline of the course.

2:Approaches and Theories

Various approaches and theories in anthropology of religion.

3:Religion and the Human Body

The relationship between religion and the body.

4:Religion and Identity

The politics of religious identity.

5:Film: Amish

A documentary film on Amish.

6:Religion, Sex and Gender

The relationship between religion, sex and gender.

7:Religion, Culture, and Social and Natural Environment

The relationship between religion, culture and environment.

8:Rituals

Performances and meanings of various rituals.

9:Shamanism

Varieties of shamanic practices.

10:World Religions

The diversity within world religions.

11:Modernization and Secularization

Aspects of modernization and secularization.

12:Fundamentalism

Varieties of religious fundamentalisms.

13:Film: Jesus Camp

A documentary film on Christian fundamentalism.

14:Religion and Globalization

Various impacts of globalization on religion

Work to be done outside of class (preparation, etc.)

For each class, students are expected to spend approximately four hours to read an assigned text and prepare for a quiz and a reaction paper.

Textbooks

No textbook required. Reading materials are shared online.

References

Bowie, Fiona. 2002. The Anthropology of Religion. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.
Eller, Jack David. 2007. Introducing Anthropology of Religion: Culture to the Ultimate. New York: Routledge.

Grading criteria

Quizzes 50%
Reaction Papers 50%
The cutoff score for passing is 60%.

Changes following student comments

Minor adjustments may be made to the course design based upon the number of participants and their interests.