TÜRKÇE
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Information
| Unit | INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES |
| PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES (MASTER) (WITH THESIS) | |
| Code | FDBH796 |
| Name | Introduction to Sociology of Religious |
| Term | 2025-2026 Academic Year |
| Term | Fall and Spring |
| Duration (T+A) | 3-0 (T-A) (17 Week) |
| ECTS | 0 ECTS |
| National Credit | 0 National Credit |
| Teaching Language | Türkçe |
| Level | Yüksek Lisans Dersi |
| Type | Normal |
| Mode of study | Yüz Yüze Öğretim |
| Catalog Information Coordinator | |
| Course Instructor |
The current term course schedule has not been prepared yet.
|
Course Goal / Objective
The aim of this course is to provide students with a theoretical framework to evaluate the functions of religion on individuals and society from a sociological perspective. It also aims to develop students’ ability to critically analyze how religion operates within different social structures. The course seeks to help students grasp both classical and contemporary sociological approaches to the phenomenon of religion.
Course Content
This course introduces fundamental sociological approaches to understanding religion as a social phenomenon and examines the religion-society relationship within historical and theoretical contexts. Topics include the religious perspectives of classical sociologists (Durkheim, Weber, Marx), modern sociological approaches, secularization theories, religious communities, religious authority, types of religiosity, and the transformation of religion in modern society. Special attention is given to the sociological analysis of religion in the Turkish context.
Course Precondition
There are no specific prerequisites for this course. However, students are expected to have a basic understanding of key sociological concepts.
Resources
Berger, P. L. (1990). The Sacred Canopy: Elements of a Sociological Theory of Religion. Anchor Books. Davie, G. (2007). The Sociology of Religion. SAGE. Beyer, P. (2006). Religion in Global Society. Routledge. Hamilton, M. (2001). Sociology of Religion: Theoretical and Comparative Perspectives. Routledge.
Notes
National and international academic articles Journals such as Social Compass, Sociology of Religion, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion (JSSR) Field studies conducted in Turkey (e.g., TÜİK, KONDA reports) Online databases: JSTOR, EBSCOhost, Scopus Related master’s and doctoral theses
Course Learning Outcomes
| Order | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| LO01 | Analyzes the functions of religion on individuals and society from a sociological perspective. |
| LO02 | Evaluates and compares the approaches of classical and contemporary sociologists to religion. |
| LO03 | Explains key sociological concepts such as secularization, religious diversity, and the transformation of religion in modern society. |
| LO04 | Interprets the religion-society relationship in the Turkish context through sociological theories. |
| LO05 | Analyzes academic literature on the sociology of religion and applies it in scholarly research. |
| LO06 | Makes multidimensional evaluations by relating the phenomenon of religion to concepts such as social structure, culture, identity, and authority. |
| LO07 | Approaches contemporary religious debates with a sociological perspective and enhances critical thinking skills. |
Relation with Program Learning Outcome
| Order | Type | Program Learning Outcomes | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLO01 | Bilgi - Kuramsal, Olgusal | Students learn essential knowledge and approaches in the field. | 3 |
| PLO02 | Bilgi - Kuramsal, Olgusal | Students have extensive knowledge about national and international studies in the field. | |
| PLO03 | Bilgi - Kuramsal, Olgusal | Students perform original researches on the field. | |
| PLO04 | Bilgi - Kuramsal, Olgusal | Gain sufficient knowledge about national and international studies in the field. | 3 |
| PLO05 | Bilgi - Kuramsal, Olgusal | Can do original research in the field. | |
| PLO06 | Bilgi - Kuramsal, Olgusal | Determines a topic from the proposals and develops a report on this issue. | 2 |
| PLO07 | Bilgi - Kuramsal, Olgusal | Discusses and presents the research report. | |
| PLO08 | Bilgi - Kuramsal, Olgusal | Use individual and team work skills in national and international projects | |
| PLO09 | Bilgi - Kuramsal, Olgusal | Recognize the basic sources of the field to use in scientific studies. | 3 |
| PLO10 | Bilgi - Kuramsal, Olgusal | Effective use of a foreign language to follow international literature in the field | |
| PLO11 | Bilgi - Kuramsal, Olgusal | Using higher order thinking skills (critical thinking, problem solving, creative thinking, decision making, reflection) | |
| PLO12 | Bilgi - Kuramsal, Olgusal | They can conduct their work independently and as a member of a team. | 2 |
| PLO13 | Bilgi - Kuramsal, Olgusal | Using scientific research skills in their work | |
| PLO14 | Bilgi - Kuramsal, Olgusal | Follow ethical rules |
Week Plan
| Week | Topic | Preparation | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Sociology of Religion and Basic Concepts | Introduction texts, course material overview | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Anlatım, Tartışma |
| 2 | Social Functions of Religion | Readings from Berger and Durkheim | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Anlatım, Tartışma |
| 3 | Religion in Classical Sociology I: Durkheim | Durkheim, The Elementary Forms | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Anlatım, Tartışma |
| 4 | Religion in Classical Sociology II: Weber and Charisma | Weber, The Sociology of Religion | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Anlatım, Tartışma |
| 5 | Marx and the Critique of Religion | Readings on Marx’s critique of religion | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Anlatım, Soru-Cevap, Tartışma |
| 6 | Theories of Secularization | Readings from Casanova, Davie | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Tartışma, Anlatım |
| 7 | Transformation of Religion in Modern Society | Beyer, Giddens, Berger | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Anlatım, Beyin Fırtınası |
| 8 | Mid-Term Exam | Ölçme Yöntemleri: Yazılı Sınav |
|
| 9 | Religious Communities and Sects | Troeltsch, Stark & Bainbridge | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Soru-Cevap, Anlatım |
| 10 | Types of Religiosity and Sociological Approaches | Readings from Glock & Stark | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Soru-Cevap, Tartışma |
| 11 | Religious Morality, Identity, and Social Values | Readings on social values and identity | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Anlatım, Soru-Cevap |
| 12 | Religious Authority and Institutionalization | Sociological analysis of religious institutions | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Anlatım, Soru-Cevap |
| 13 | Sociological Analysis of Religion in Turkey I | Religion-state-society relations in Turkey | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Soru-Cevap, Anlatım |
| 14 | Sociological Analysis of Religion in Turkey II | Current field data and reports | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Soru-Cevap, Tartışma |
| 15 | General Evaluation and Q&A | Review of all course materials | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Tartışma, Soru-Cevap |
| 16 | Term Exams | Ölçme Yöntemleri: Yazılı Sınav |
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| 17 | Term Exams | Ölçme Yöntemleri: Yazılı Sınav |
Student Workload - ECTS
| Works | Number | Time (Hour) | Workload (Hour) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Related Works | |||
| Class Time (Exam weeks are excluded) | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Out of Class Study (Preliminary Work, Practice) | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Assesment Related Works | |||
| Homeworks, Projects, Others | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mid-term Exams (Written, Oral, etc.) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Final Exam | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total Workload (Hour) | 0 | ||
| Total Workload / 25 (h) | ,00 | ||
| ECTS | 0 ECTS | ||