Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2024 - SA 322 D100

Religion and Society (A) (4)

Class Number: 5493

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Instructor:

    Elliot Montpellier
    emontpel@sfu.ca
    Office Hours: Thursday 12-1pm

  • Prerequisites:

    SA 101 or 150 or 201W.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of the relations between religion and the social environment. Consideration will be given to classical theoretical debates in the anthropology and sociology of religion. Specific topics vary from year to year, and may include: religion in personhood and communities; religion, gender, ethnicity and social class; secularization and secularism; the role of religion in political mobilizations; interreligious relations; religious freedom and citizenship.

COURSE DETAILS:

How do anthropologists approach the study religion? In this course, students will engage key concepts that shape anthropological understandings of religion in contemporary society. This course will focus on secularism and its relationship with religion historically and in the contemporary. We will give particular attention to the history of these concepts and their relation to wider sociopolitical projects including liberalism, colonialism and capitalism. Alongside a sustained attention to anthropological conceptualizations of conversion, conflict, religious freedom, religious minorities, and sociopolitical religious movements, the course will explore how media, mediation, and materialities shape religious and secular experience in contemporary everyday life. We will critically approach the category of “religion” and rethink its role both in society and in anthropology addressing “religion” in relation to science, technology, nature, and rationality.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Engage scholarship across anthropology on the study of religion and secularism, drawing together reading skills and conventions for producing original research;
  • Identify and utilize different methodological approaches to the study of contemporary religion and secularism;
  • Identify and analyze diverse understandings of how the history of anthropological inquiry predefine ‘religion’ as an object of study;
  • Analyze debates about the relation between media, science, culture, and religion;
  • Understand the lasting impacts of colonial and postcolonial experiences on religious life;
  • Use information effectively and appropriately in written work and oral discussions;
  • Employ comparative perspectives of religious experience.

Grading

  • Class attendance and active participation 15%
  • Weekly Reflections/Discussion Questions 20%
  • Response papers (2) 20%
  • Fieldnote observations and in-class writing assignments 20%
  • Final ethnographic essay 25%

NOTES:

Details regarding weekly assignments will be outlined in the first week of class.

Grading: Where a final exam is scheduled and the student does not write the exam or withdraw from the course before the deadline date, an N grade will be assigned. Unless otherwise specified on the course syllabus, all graded assignments for this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned. An N is considered as an F for the purposes of scholastic standing.

Grading System: The Undergraduate Course Grading System is as follows:

A+ (95-100) | A (90-94) | A- (85-89) | B+ (80-84) | B (75-79) | B- (70-74) | C+ (65-69) | C (60-64) | C- (55-59) | D (50-54) | F (0-49) | N*
*N standing to indicate the student did not complete course requirements

Academic Honesty and Student Conduct Policies: The Department of Sociology & Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T20.01), and academic honesty and student conduct procedures (S10‐S10.05). Unless otherwise informed by your instructor in writing, in graded written assignments you must cite the sources you rely on and include a bibliography/list of references, following an instructor-approved citation style. It is the responsibility of students to inform themselves of the content of SFU policies available on the SFU website.

Centre for Accessible Learning: Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need classroom or exam accommodations are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (1250 Maggie Benston Centre) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.

The Sociology and Anthropology Student Union, SASU, is a governing body of students who are engaged with the department and want to build the SA community. Get involved! Follow them on Instagram!

 

REQUIREMENTS:

Attendance and participation in all assignments is required. Please complete all readings prior to coming to lectures, participating in class activities, and submitting assignments.

Please submit assignments on time or write to me to request an extension in the case of illness or emergency. Late assignments for which no extension was granted will be accepted up to five calendar days past the due date with a penalty of 5% per day.

Please come to class prepared to engage in critical thinking, to consider where scholars are coming from in their writing, and to respect differences in intellectual opinions among your peers.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

A dedicated notebook for fieldnotes and writing exercises.

REQUIRED READING:

Talal Asad. 1993. Genealogies of Religion Discipline and Reasons of Power in Christianity and Islam. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Additional readings will be available through the SFU Libraries and/or in open access publications. All materials will be posted or linked to on the class Canvas page.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.