Information Package / Course Catalogue
Sociological Approaches to Religion
Course Code: FDB539
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: Second Cycle (Master's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 3
Prt.: 0
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 5
Objectives of the Course

To discuss sociological theories on religion, the changes and transformations that these theories have brought about on religion, and to examine their reflections on the sociology of religion.

Course Content

This course examines theories of sociological approaches to religion. It examines classical and contemporary sociological approaches to religion, and their similarities and differences.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.Understanding approaches to religion in the sociology of religion, which deals with religion-society relations
2.Understanding the interaction between religion and society in the context of theories of sociology of religion.
3.Learning classical and contemporary approaches within the context of historical and sociological processes.
4.Understands the social functions of religion.
5.Understands the social functions of religion.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Inger Furseth-Pal Repstad, Introduction to the Sociology of Religion: Classical and Contemporary Theories, trans. İ. Çapçıoğlu, H. Aydınalp, Birlişk Dağıtım Bookstore, Ankara, 2011. Roberto Cipriani, Sociology of Religion, History and Theories, trans. A. Çoşku, Rağbet Publishing, Istanbul, 2011. Yasin Aktay, M. E. Köktaş, M. E. (Eds.) Sociology of Religion, Vadi Publishing, Ankara: 2007. 3. Ejder Okumuş, Sociology of Religion, Maarif Schools, Ankara 2018. Necdet Subaşı, Sociology of Religion, Dem Publishing, Istanbul 2017
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Religion and Sociology; An overview of the history of the sociology of religion
Week 2 - Theoretical
Sociological Approaches to Religion; Comte, Durkheim, Marx, Weber
Week 3 - Theoretical
Sociological Approaches to Religion: Luhmann, Berger, Giddeens
Week 4 - Theoretical
Functionalism and Religion
Week 5 - Theoretical
Conflict theory and religion
Week 6 - Theoretical
Phenomenological theories of religion
Week 7 - Theoretical
Deprivation Theory and Religion
Week 8 - Theoretical
Rational Choice Theory and Religion
Week 9 - Theoretical
Theory of Meaning and Belonging and Religion
Week 10 - Theoretical
Religious Pluralism
Week 11 - Theoretical
Secularization theories
Week 12 - Theoretical
Future perspectives on religion
Week 13 - Theoretical
The Phenomenon of Globalization and Religion
Week 14 - Theoretical
Overall rating
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Midterm Examination1%40
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory143042
Assignment123036
Midterm Examination124024
Final Examination124024
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)126
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
OÇ-1
4
4
3
5
4
4
OÇ-2
4
4
3
5
4
4
OÇ-3
4
4
3
5
4
4
OÇ-4
4
4
3
5
4
4
OÇ-5
4
4
3
5
4
4
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026