Religions and Inequality in American Society 4219-SH0056
The course focuses on religious institutions and communities as important social actors within the context of American society. During the course, participants will engage with key sociological texts that help explain the social role of various churches and religious communities in the United States. The course will also examine how these institutions can influence social inequalities in American society, including through the formation of social capital.
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Term 2026Z:
The course focuses on religious institutions and communities as important social actors within the context of American society. During the course, participants will engage with key sociological texts that help explain the social role of various churches and religious communities in the United States. The course will also examine how these institutions can influence social inequalities in American society, including through the formation of social capital. |
Course coordinators
Type of course
Mode
Learning outcomes
Knowledge:
* The student is familiar with key concepts related to the social role of churches and congregations in American society in the context of social inequality.
* Student knows and understands the relevance of scientific study of religion, the methodologies, and how it is related to other disciplines.
* The student possesses advanced knowledge of social processes, as well as the research methods and tools used in the study of religion within the broader context of social research in the United States.
Skills:
* The student is able to interpret and analyse academic research and scholarly literature concerning the social significance of religion in American society.
* The student is able to use basic concepts, theories, and analytical tools from the social sciences to understand and interpret texts.
* The student develops the ability to gather and evaluate information critically, as well as to structure arguments in support of their own views.
Social competence:
*The student is able to work effectively in a team and to plan and organise collaborative projects.
*The student shares knowledge with others through participation in discussions and group projects.
*Drawing on the knowledge acquired during the course, the student is able to formulate independent opinions on social processes taking place in the United States.
Assessment criteria
1. In-class presentation of a religious organisation/congregation (30 pt)
2. Attendance and active participation (10 pt)
3. Final essay and its presentation in a class (35 pt)
4. Assessed group discussion
Grading: 100-88/5; 87-73/4; 72-57/3; 56-0/2
Bibliography
Ammerman, Nancy T. Congregations: Local, Social and Religious.
Baker, Joseph O., Samuel L. Perry, et al. Keep America Christian (and White): Christian Nationalism, Fear of Ethnoracial Outsiders, and Intention to Vote for Donald Trump in the 2020 Presidential Election.
Barnes, Sandra L. Black Church Culture and Community Action.
Borowska, Paula. Evangelicals in a Dictatorship.
Casanova, José. Public Religions in the Modern World.
Dierenfield, Bruce J. The Civil Rights Movement.
Durkheim, Émile. The Elementary Forms of Religious Life.
Ecklund, Elaine. Korean American Evangelicals: New Models for Civic Life.
Emerson, Michael O., and Christian Smith. Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America.
Findlay Jr., James F. Church People in the Struggle: The National Council of Churches and the Black Freedom Movement, 1950–1970.
Hunt, Larry, and Matthew Hunt. Race, Region, and Religious Involvement: A Comparative Study of Whites and African Americans.
Mehta, Sharan K., Rachel C. Schneider, et al. God Sees No Color. So Why Should I? How White Christians Produce Divinized Colorblindness.
Park, Jerry Z., Joyce C. Chang, and James C. Davidson. Equal Opportunity Beliefs beyond Black and White American Christianity.
Parsons, Talcott. The Role of Ideas in Social Action.
Putnam, Robert D. Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community.
Yang, Fenggang. Chinese Conversion to Evangelical Christianity: The Importance of Social and Cultural Contexts.
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Term 2026Z:
Ammerman, Nancy T. Congregations: Local, Social and Religious. |