The widening range of beliefs present in society
The Sociology of Religion has been broadened on many courses to consider the wider range of beliefs present in society; for example, ideologies and scientific knowledge systems. It is useful to highlight to students that this is not a religious education course but rather a consideration of the role and impact of belief systems on society and its individual members.
The resources presented here begin by focusing on ideology, science and religion. In doing so we start by defining religion, and then looking at Functionalist, Marxist, and Feminist views on religion. Next we turn to the Protestant Reformation, science rationality and religion, open and closed belief systems, and the idea of ‘falsification’. We then consider questions relating to what kind of force is religion? Here we look at religion as a conservative force and religion as a force for social change. We then present material on typologies of religion and then look specifically at the example of the Westboro Baptist Church. Finally, we present resources to help you consider, secularism, globalisation and radicalisation, and finally, postmodernism and religion.
Discussion on this topic could focus on the ways in which poverty further exacerbates the social ...
The Trussell Trust is a Christian organisation that works to "end hunger and poverty in the UK...
In this Open Learn ‘mini module’, Dr Mark Smith discusses a shift in attitude towards...
The ‘A Girl Called Jack’ blog has been widely featured in the media over the last few years – ...
In the BBC Radio 4 series, "A History of Ideas", Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss their work of...
This Guardian article looks at the results of an ONS survey and highlights some significant trend...
Students can use this material from the Open University to examine postcode trends in poverty
In 2010, the then Labour UK government defined a child in poverty as being one where the househol...
The following Telegraph article examines the Sunday Times Rich List and provides background infor...
Provide students with a copy of the article "Global Corporations, Global Unions", by Stephen L...