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  5. Sociology
  6. SO5514: Religious Belief and Practice in the Modern World

SO5514: RELIGIOUS BELIEF AND PRACTICE IN THE MODERN WORLD (2017-2018)

Last modified: 27 Feb 2018 11:55


Course Overview

Aberdeen University has long been known for its focus on the sociology of religion and is currently the only University in Britain where one can study sociology of religion at the postgraduate level in a sociology department.  This course is required for students on the MSc in Religion and Society, and essential for any other students who wish to develop a sophisticated sociological understanding of religion, including postgraduates with other primary research interests (religion having implications for many other topics), and would also benefit postgraduate students of religion coming from other disciplines.

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Term Second Term Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Professor Steve Bruce

Qualification Prerequisites

None.

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Postgraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course explores patterns of belief and un‐belief in modern religion. It focuses, in particular, on the secularization paradigm and those who have dissented from it, and evidence of both decline and growth in religious belief and practice. It explores the dynamics of belief across the different world religions, and examines the particular threat to the future of the Christian churches as a result of declining participation and practice in mainstream Christian churches. The course also addresses the alternative forms of spirituality that are evidenced in the West, such as new forms of religious movements, New Age spirituality, the mutation of religion into memory and cultural tradition, as well as the growth of other world religions in the modern West.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Two essays: first essay (40%) and second essay (60%).

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Feedback

None.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.
 

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