Understanding Theories of Religion

Understanding Theories of Religion essay assignment

Understanding Theories of Religion essay assignment

Students will conduct research on a topic that is salient to the theoretical study of religion. They will present or share their findings with the rest of the class either in person or online in a media format of their choosing. Projects will be chosen in conversation with the instructor.

Choose one of the following topics to research.

A. Provideacomparativeanalysisandassessmentoftwoauthorsrepresentingdifferent methodological approaches to religious studies chosen from the list below. What common assumptions do the authors have? What are their key differences? Can their perspectives be seen as complementary? What do their differences suggest about the nature of the study of religion? Your comparison of the figures you choose should be rooted in, and should include citations from, our assigned class texts.

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1) phenomenology of religion (Otto or Eliade),

2) psychology of religion (Freud),

3) sociology of religion (Durkheim, Weber, Ammerman, Berger or Bellah),

4) anthropology of religion (Malinkowski, Asad, or Mahmood)

5) hermeneutics/philosophy (Taylor, West, Foucault, Brown)

6) economics of religion (Stark or Iannaccone).

B. Usingoneofourreligiousstudiesthinkersasaguide,answeroneofthelistofquestions below. The topic secularization may be substituted for religion in any of the question.

1) How does religion influence the growth of terrorism?

2) How does religion influence societal virtues?

3) What is the relationship between religion and gender?

4) What is the relationship between religion and democratic freedom?

5) What is the relationship between religion and individual happiness?

6) Is a secular society a better society than a religious society?

C. Analyzeafictionalreligionfromamovie,bookorTVshowusingoneormoreofthe religious studies thinkers or topics that we’ve studies. (i.e., How would Durkheim give an account of the Faith of Seven from the book series A Song of Fire and Ice?)

Format Options:

• write a research paper (about 5-7 pages)