Study information

Sociology and Demography of Religion

Module titleSociology and Demography of Religion
Module codeSOC3118
Academic year2023/4
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Nitzan Peri-Rotem (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

11

Number students taking module (anticipated)

15

Module description

This module will address some of the central theories in the sociology of religion (e.g. the secularization paradigm, religious market theory, believing without belonging) from an empirical perspective. You will learn about available data sources on religion and various indicators of religiosity. In addition, you will obtain tools to examine research questions about the role of religion in everyday life, including religion and socio-economic status and the relationship between religion and family patterns. This module includes hands-on computer lab sessions where you will learn to perform basic data analysis using interactive online analysis platforms to facilitate independent research work using quantitative analysis. The final assignment involves writing a research report on a topic of your choice from what has been covered in the module. 

Module aims - intentions of the module

Students in this module gain in-depth knowledge of central theories and current debates in the sociology of religion. In addition, this module provides an opportunity to enhance practical skills in quantitative data analysis. These tools enable students to pursue their own independent research.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of current theories and debates in the sociology of religion.
  • 2. Critically assess empirical studies in the sociology of religion.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 3. Demonstrate a critical and reflective understanding of key concepts in sociology.
  • 4. employ relevant research methods in the study of religious trends.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 5. demonstrate competence in using basic data analysis
  • 6. conduct independent research work within a limited time frame.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

  1. Is God dying? The secularization paradigm and its critics
  2. The paradox of religion in Europe
  3. Measuring religion across time and space
  4. Data sources on religion 
  5. Religion and gender
  6. Religion and socioeconomic status
  7. Group presentations
  8. Religion, health and well-being
  9. Religion and the family
  10. Spirituality and New Age religions
  11. The future of religion

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
221280

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity22Weekly 2 hour lectures\computer lab sessions where we go over topics and materials
Guided Independent Study48Reading and preparing for seminars (4-6 hours per week);
Guided Independent Study80Study tasks directed by the module leader e.g. 10 hours for group presentation, 15 hours for the short report and 55 hours for the final research report

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Group presentation10 minutes1-5Written

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Short empirical report 20500 words1-6Written feedback
Research report80200 words1-6Written feedback
0
0
0
0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Research reportResearch report (3500 words)1-6August/September re-assessment period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Bruce, S. (2011). Secularization: In defence of unfashionable theory. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Davie, G. (1990). Believing without belonging: Is this the future of religion in Britain? Social Compass 37(4), 455-469.

Davie, G. (2013). The sociology of religion: A critical agenda (2nd ed.). London: Sage.

Greeley, A. M. (2003). Religion in Europe at the end of the second millennium: A sociological profile. New Brunswick, N.J.: Transaction Publishers.

Hackett, C., Stonawski, M., PotanÄ�oková, M., Grim, B. J., Skirbekk, V. (2015). The future size of religiously affiliated and unaffiliated populations. Demographic Research, 32(27), 829-841.

Iannaccone, L. R., Finke, R. and Stark, R. (1997). Deregulating religion: The economics of church and state. Economic Inquiry, 35(2), 350-364.

Jagodzinski, W. and Manabe, K. (2009). On the similarity of religiosity in different cultures. In Haller, M. Jowell, R. and Smith T. (Eds.) The international social survey programme, 1984-2009: Charting the globe (pp. 313-336). Abingdon, Oxon; New York: Routledge

Kaufmann, E., Goujon, A. and Skirbekk, V. (2012). The end of secularization in Europe?: A socio-demographic perspective. Sociology of Religion, 73, 69-91.

Knippenberg, H. (2005). The changing religious landscape of Europe. Amsterdam: Het Spinhuis.

Lehrer, E. L. (2009). Religion, economics, and demography: The effects of religion on education, work, and the family. London; New York: Routledge.

McQuillan, K. (2004). When does Religion Influence Fertility? Population and Development Review, 30(1), 25-56.

Norris, P. and Inglehart, R. (2004). Sacred and secular: Religion and politics worldwide. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Trzebiatowska, M. and Bruce, S. (2012). Why are women more religious than men? Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Voas, D. 2009. The rise and fall of fuzzy fidelity in Europe. European Sociological Review, 25(2), 155-168.

Voas, D. and Crockett, A. (2005). Religion in Britain: Neither believing nor belonging. Sociology, 39 (1), 11-28.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Pew Research Centre, Religion and Public Life: http://www.pewforum.org/

European Social Survey Cumulative File, ESS 1-7 (2016). Data file edition 1.0. NSD - Norwegian Centre for Research Data, Norway - Data Archive and distributor of ESS data for ESS ERIC. https://www.europeansocialsurvey.org/

Inglehart, R., C. Haerpfer, A. Moreno, C. Welzel, K. Kizilova, J. Diez-Medrano, M. Lagos, P. Norris, E. Ponarin & B. Puranen et al. (eds.). 2014. World Values Survey: Round Six - Country-Pooled Datafile Version: www.worldvaluessurvey.org/WVSDocumentationWV6.jsp. Madrid: JD Systems Institute. 

ISSP Research Group (2018): International Social Survey Programme: Religion III - ISSP 2008. GESIS Data Archive, Cologne. ZA4950 Data file Version 2.3.0, doi:10.4232/1.13161 

Key words search

Religion, Demography, Quantitative research methods 

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

None

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

6

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

28/12/2018

Last revision date

27/01/2022