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Overview

Course Prescription

Examines the social theories of religion. An empirical approach to the study of religion, which constructs theories and arguments about its social forms and significance through the collection and analysis of data. Global case studies will be used to consider the power of religion both as a force for social cohesion as well as disruption and social change.

Course Overview

This course is designed to introduce students to social theories of religion. The study of religion was central to such original, theoretical work as Emile Durkheim’s The Elementary Forms of Religion (1904) and Max Weber’s Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (1904-5). The first part of the course will involve a close reading of selections from these classics, which will be followed by a consideration of contemporary theorists whose works have critically engaged, revised, and extended their approach to the study of religion.
This course will address some fundamental questions and debates in the social-scientific study of religion, such as: How do scholars determine what constitutes religion? What counts as data in the study of religion? How are these data collected, analysed, and interpreted? What is religious experience and how does one study it? How do institutional expressions of religion change over time? How does the understanding of “religion” vary from culture to culture or even between individuals and groups within one society? Is religion in decline today or simply changing form?
These questions will be critically engaged through a consideration of the theoretical and empirical work of contemporary scholars studying religion in various regions of the world. Readings and case studies will address the central debate surrounding secularization and consider some other key topics that occupy social scientists today. These include the rise of global fundamentalisms and new religious movements, religious nationalisms, immigration and the revitalization of religion in diaspora communities, and debates surrounding civil religion and the role of religion in the public sphere. The course will also consider the recent shift in the field from a focus on “official religion,” or religious organizations, to the study of religion in everyday life, which occurs outside of these institutions.

Main Programme

Workload Expectations

Since this course is offered in summer school over six weeks, it doubles the amount of time required of students each week for a standard 15 point course. Students should expect to spend 20 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 4 hours of lectures, a 1 hour tutorial, 10 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Course Prerequisites, Corequisites and Restrictions

Restriction

Additional Advice on Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 30 points at Stage II

Locations and Semesters Offered

LocationSemester
City

Teaching and Learning

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities, including tutorials, to complete the requirements of the course.

Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Taught courses use a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas to provide students with learning materials including reading lists and lecture recordings (where available). Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Additional Information on Learning Resources

A list of readings and online resources will be made available in a detailed syllabus, which will be posted on Canvas before the start of the semester.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.


You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third-party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Similarly, research students must meet the University’s expectations of good research practice. This requires:

  • Honesty - in all aspects of research work
  • Accountability - in the conduct of research
  • Professional courtesy and fairness – in working with others
  • Good stewardship – on behalf of others
  • Transparency – of research process and presentation of results
  • Clarity - communication to be understandable, explainable and accessible

For more information on the University’s expectations of academic integrity, please see the Academic Conduct section of the University policy hub.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about taught courses is made available to enrolled students in Canvas.

Students may be asked to submit assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.


Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type12345678

Student Feedback, Support and Charter

Student Feedback

Feedback on taught courses is gathered from students at the end of each semester through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students. In addition, class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Additional Information on Student Feedback

The number of topics covered and required readings have been reduced in light of student feedback and the shorter summer school schedule.

Class representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Tuākana

Tuākana is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at Tuakana Learning Communities.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website.

Wellbeing

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - please see the Support Services page for information on support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed work is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due. If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page. This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter.

Student Academic Complaints and Disputes

Students with concerns about teaching including how a course is delivered, the resources provided, or supervision arrangements, have the right to express their concerns and seek resolution. The university encourages informal resolution where possible, as this is quicker and less stressful. For information on the informal and formal complaints processes, please refer to the Student Academic Complaints Statute in the Student Policies and Guidelines section of the Policy Hub.