Contemporary Religion from a Social Scientific Perspective
Religion and Culture · 3 hrs Lecture
Offered: Spring Only
One shot a year. Offered spring term only, so a clash costs a full year.
No prerequisites listed, you can take this course without prior coursework.
Description
This course will introduce students to the ethnographic approach to religious phenomena, as well as the range of social scientific theories with which ethnography is associated. The distinguishing feature of ethnographic research is the way it involves the observer in the everyday lives of the people he or she is studying. This course explores several recent examples of participant observation research in the context of North American religious groups. As well, the course considers the relevance of the work of scholars such as Malinowski, Levy-Bruhl, Turner, and Geertz for the ethnographic study of contemporary religious life.
From the 2026-27 undergraduate calendar. Always verify details on WebAdvisor or with an academic advisor before registering.