SOC 370 - Religion, Spirituality, and Community (1)

Examines the religious experience; the provision of meaning and belonging; religious commitment and conversion; official versus nonofficial or people’s religion; religion and the creation of social cohesion; religion and its relationship to social inequality; and religious movements and social change. Topics include women’s spirituality in Witchcraft and Spiritualist communities, religious cohesion in Amish communities, the spiritual relationship between humans and the sacred earth in indigenous communities; snake handling and redemption in southern Pentecostal communities, the social and religious dimensions of extraterrestrial contactee communities, and civil rights activism in faith based communities. This course may count towards the SOC or SAN majors. Prerequisite: One of the following: SOC 101, ANT 101, ANT 102, ANT 210, REL 101, REL 222, or permission of instructor. Alternate years.
(Social Science)