Course Description

This course delves into the societal impact of religion, exploring how religious institutions, beliefs, and practices influence individual lives and shape community and cultural dynamics. Through weekly discussions, reflections, and practical applications, students will gain a nuanced understanding of religion’s role in promoting social cohesion, shaping identities, driving social change, and addressing contemporary issues. The course culminates in a final project designed for real-world application, encouraging students to engage thoughtfully with religion in a modern social context.

What You Will Learn

• Religion as a Social Institution: Examine how religion influences social norms, cultural traditions, and community structures, applying these insights to a final project that demonstrates a real-world understanding of religion’s societal role.
• Religious Identity and Diversity: Analyze the role of religion in forming individual and collective identities, understanding the diversity within and between faiths, and fostering respectful interfaith interactions.
• Religion and Social Change: Explore how religious movements have inspired both progressive social movements and conservative values, understanding how religion operates as both a driver of change and a stabilizing force.
• Applied Project Creation: Develop a final project on a contemporary religious issue, interfaith initiative, or community-based project, demonstrating an integrated sociological and faith-based perspective.

Course Progress

• Enrollment in this course closed on November 24, 2024.