Academic Catalog

SOC537 ANTHROPOLOGY OF RELIGION

Course Code: 2320537
METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): 3(3-0)
ECTS Credit: 8.0
Department: Sociology
Language of Instruction: English
Level of Study: Masters
Course Coordinator: Prof.Dr. ALÝ TAYFUN ATAY
Offered Semester: Fall or Spring Semesters.

Course Content

The course deals with religion as an aspect of social-cultural system; recognizing religion as a system of symbols which gives meaning to the “real-world”; social and cultural dynamics of the “Sacred”; the place and role of religion in the worldly/political processes and power struggles; general assessment of theoretical approaches to the nature, origin and functions of religion. The course also aims at studying religion as a social phenomenon and focuses on the cultural bases of religious thought and behavior, comparative assessment of world religions; the ways in which religious activities are organized in a society and mobilize people in common action; comparative and critical analysis of different theoretical perspectives on religion in anthropology and sociology.