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ANTH 304 Religion, Culture, and Society

This course examines sociological and anthropological approaches to religion in relation to the environment, individual life cycle, social order and relations, and culture change. Students examine theoretical constructs and methods and their relation to a variety of religious beliefs and practices in the United States and globally.

Prerequisites

4 Undergraduate credits

Effective December 16, 2024 to present

Meets graduation requirements for

Learning outcomes

General

  • Understands sociological and anthropological approaches to the study of religion and appreciates that changing political and economic relations around the world influence these approaches.
  • Can analyze, evaluate, and write about religions with respect to the local and global contexts that help shape them.
  • Can critically analyze, at an upper division level, the history and context of religious belief and practices, and can write about this to evaluate one's own lived experience.
  • Understands the central role of religion in shaping social and individual identity.
  • Understands the role of religious conviction in mediating or fostering conflict in the contemporary world.

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum

Goal 5: History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences

  • Employ the methods and data that historians and social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition.
  • Examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods and cultures.
  • Use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.
  • Develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues.

Goal 8: Global Perspective

  • Describe and analyze political, economic, and cultural elements which influence relations of states and societies in their historical and contemporary dimensions.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of cultural, social, religious and linguistic differences.
  • Analyze specific international problems, illustrating the cultural, economic, and political differences that affect their solution.
  • Understand the role of a world citizen and the responsibility world citizens share for their common global future.