RSG. 202 – Western Religious Traditions Objectives
Syllabus
The purpose of this course unit is to study major religious traditions with special attention to semantic religions and their geographical expansion as well as basic teachings.
Course Contents
Major Religious Traditions, Introduction in main western religion, traditions. Origin andDevelopment of religion in the western world. Introduction to semantic religions, Judaism, Christianity, Islam. Development of Christianity up to middle ages. Basic teaching of three major religions.
Recommended Reading:
1. The Place of a Religion in a changing World De Silva Padmasiri, Delhi, 1978
2. The Unanimous Tradition; Essays on Essential Unity of All Religions Traditional Studies, Colombo Fernando Ranjith (Ed.), The Sri Lanka Institute of
3. Buddhism: The Religion and Its Culture Guruge Ananda W. P., 1975
4. The World Religion; Old tradition and Modern Transfomation Smart Ninian, Cambridge University Press, 1992
5. Sociology of Religion Weber Max, 1965
Method of Teaching
Lectures and discussions
Method of Evaluation
End of the academic year written examination
Written Examination 80 marks
Assignment 10 marks
2 Tutorials (5 marks each) 10 marks
Total 100 marks
Course Contents
Major Religious Traditions, Introduction in main western religion, traditions. Origin andDevelopment of religion in the western world. Introduction to semantic religions, Judaism, Christianity, Islam. Development of Christianity up to middle ages. Basic teaching of three major religions.
Recommended Reading:
1. The Place of a Religion in a changing World De Silva Padmasiri, Delhi, 1978
2. The Unanimous Tradition; Essays on Essential Unity of All Religions Traditional Studies, Colombo Fernando Ranjith (Ed.), The Sri Lanka Institute of
3. Buddhism: The Religion and Its Culture Guruge Ananda W. P., 1975
4. The World Religion; Old tradition and Modern Transfomation Smart Ninian, Cambridge University Press, 1992
5. Sociology of Religion Weber Max, 1965
Method of Teaching
Lectures and discussions
Method of Evaluation
End of the academic year written examination
Written Examination 80 marks
Assignment 10 marks
2 Tutorials (5 marks each) 10 marks
Total 100 marks
Examination Questions
2007
Give short answers.
i. Who is the pioneer of Sociology of Religion?
ii. Give two examples for Islamic fundamentalism.
Iii. Define 'secularization'.
iv. Name two NRMs
v. Who wrote the 'Woman's Bible'?
vi. „Religion is the opium of people.“ Who said this?
Vii. Define 'fundamentalism'.
Viii. What is the difference between a sect and a cult?
ix. What does a totem represent?
x. Name two methodologies in studying of religion.
How does Max Weber interpret the close affinity between the European Protestantism and Capitalism?
„During the first half of the twentieth century virtually every serious Sociologist expected religion to vanish before the year 2000.“ Examine this statement with reference to the secularization debate.
Outline the main links between social class and gender with religion.
What is the relationship between rationality and science with secularization.
Explain the concept of religiousness and religiosity.
Examine the nature of religious fundamentalism with relevant examples.
Write an essay on „The role of religion in a changing society.“
„There is a glimpse of a Buddhist fundamentalism.“ Present your logical observations in support or against to this statement.
Write short notes on any two of the following.
i. Psychological approach of religion
ii. Marx's materialistic critique on religion
iii. Islamic religious fundamentalism
iv. Churches and sects.
2006
(a) Give short answers
i. According to Durkheim what is a totem?
ii. Who are the authors of 'On Religion'?
Iii. What is the main cause of secularization?
iv. What are NRMS?
v. What is a sect?
(b) Fill in the blanks with suitable terms
i. In 1895 Elizabeth Cady wrote ….................... Bible.
ii. Marx says religion is the …........................ of the people.
Iii. During the first half of the 20th century every serious sociologist expected religion to vanish before the year …..............................
iv. The process by which religious institutions, actions and consciousness lose their social significance is ….................................
v. A …........................... is a smaller, less highly organized grouping of committed believers.
How do the sociologists define and interpret religion as a social institution?
How does Durkheim define the sacred and the profane?
What is the social function of religion according to Marx?
Name five methodologies in studying religion and describe one of them?
Analyze the indicators of a secular society.
Explain the dimensions that show religiousness in the society.
Examine the present situation of religious fundamentalism with relevant events.
Write an essay on 'Gender and Religion'.
Write short notes on any two of the following:
i. Religion and Sociology
ii. Max Weber
iii. Religion and Modernity
iv. Priesthood
v. Buddhist religious community
2005
Describe why the sociologists and the anthropologists recognized religion as a social institution.
Name the different approaches to religious studies and describe one of them with examples.
Explain the categorization of primitive religions and world religions.
Explain the criticism of Karl Marx on religion.
The hypothesis of sociologists that religion will decline in a secular society is proved to be false. Explain the reasons.
On which criteria the sociologists assess the religiousness of a particular society.
Introduce the religious fundamentalism and explain the reasons for its rapid expansion in recent times.
Write an essay on 'Religion and Gender'.
How do the religious sects and denominations function in the society.
Write short notes on any five of the following:
(i) Post-modernism and religion
(ii) Globalization and religion
(iii) Religiosity and religiousness
(iv) Buddhism and women
(v) Sects in Christianity
(vi) Modernity and religion
(vii) Hindu Fundamentalism
(viii) Max Weber
2004
Describe how the interaction of social groups lead to develop social and religious values.
Discuss how the evolution of religious beliefs have led to rationalistic religious thought.
Examine the critique of sociologists on religion in reference to the means of social problems.
Explain how social attitudes changed with the gradual evolution of religious thought.
Enunciate the function of religious institutions to strengthen the civil life in society.
Describe the changes that have taken place in traditional religiousness in Sri Lanka due to foreign administration.
Differentiate the life style of a Buddhist monk from that of other religions.
Describe how industrialization and urbanization have affected the city life.
Examine how various types of religious traditions evolved within one religion.
Enunciate how social inequalities are mitigated through religious teachings.
2003
Examine whether it is possible to formulate a cosmic philosophy out of meaningful religious teachings.
Discuss how sociological thoughts lead to the formation of religious concepts.
Compare the views of Karl Marx on unequal distribution of wealth with canonical teachings of Buddhism.
Explain the characteristics of revelatory religions that are in existence.
Dustinguish religiousness of Sri Lanka with taht of other Buddhist countries in the world.
Examine how the disciplinary code in monastic life led to the development and failure in Buddhist order.
Explain the dominant role played by Buddhism among other religions in Sri Lanka.
Compare and contrast the religious teachings with modern science focusing on B uddhism.
2002
Evaluate, sociologically, the assistance of religion for proper human conduct.
Examine the applicability of religious beliefs for solving current social issues.
Comparatively analyze the sociological definitions of religion.
Assess the salient features of religiousness in Sri Lanka in the past and the present.
Examine the sociological significance of observances and festivals in Sri Lanka.
Explain how the Buddhist monasticc structure has influenced to enhance social values.
What are the challenges Buddhism and Hinduism had to face with the spread of missionary education in Sri Lanka.
Discuss the social problems croped up as a result of industrialization and urbanization.
Give short answers.
i. Who is the pioneer of Sociology of Religion?
ii. Give two examples for Islamic fundamentalism.
Iii. Define 'secularization'.
iv. Name two NRMs
v. Who wrote the 'Woman's Bible'?
vi. „Religion is the opium of people.“ Who said this?
Vii. Define 'fundamentalism'.
Viii. What is the difference between a sect and a cult?
ix. What does a totem represent?
x. Name two methodologies in studying of religion.
How does Max Weber interpret the close affinity between the European Protestantism and Capitalism?
„During the first half of the twentieth century virtually every serious Sociologist expected religion to vanish before the year 2000.“ Examine this statement with reference to the secularization debate.
Outline the main links between social class and gender with religion.
What is the relationship between rationality and science with secularization.
Explain the concept of religiousness and religiosity.
Examine the nature of religious fundamentalism with relevant examples.
Write an essay on „The role of religion in a changing society.“
„There is a glimpse of a Buddhist fundamentalism.“ Present your logical observations in support or against to this statement.
Write short notes on any two of the following.
i. Psychological approach of religion
ii. Marx's materialistic critique on religion
iii. Islamic religious fundamentalism
iv. Churches and sects.
2006
(a) Give short answers
i. According to Durkheim what is a totem?
ii. Who are the authors of 'On Religion'?
Iii. What is the main cause of secularization?
iv. What are NRMS?
v. What is a sect?
(b) Fill in the blanks with suitable terms
i. In 1895 Elizabeth Cady wrote ….................... Bible.
ii. Marx says religion is the …........................ of the people.
Iii. During the first half of the 20th century every serious sociologist expected religion to vanish before the year …..............................
iv. The process by which religious institutions, actions and consciousness lose their social significance is ….................................
v. A …........................... is a smaller, less highly organized grouping of committed believers.
How do the sociologists define and interpret religion as a social institution?
How does Durkheim define the sacred and the profane?
What is the social function of religion according to Marx?
Name five methodologies in studying religion and describe one of them?
Analyze the indicators of a secular society.
Explain the dimensions that show religiousness in the society.
Examine the present situation of religious fundamentalism with relevant events.
Write an essay on 'Gender and Religion'.
Write short notes on any two of the following:
i. Religion and Sociology
ii. Max Weber
iii. Religion and Modernity
iv. Priesthood
v. Buddhist religious community
2005
Describe why the sociologists and the anthropologists recognized religion as a social institution.
Name the different approaches to religious studies and describe one of them with examples.
Explain the categorization of primitive religions and world religions.
Explain the criticism of Karl Marx on religion.
The hypothesis of sociologists that religion will decline in a secular society is proved to be false. Explain the reasons.
On which criteria the sociologists assess the religiousness of a particular society.
Introduce the religious fundamentalism and explain the reasons for its rapid expansion in recent times.
Write an essay on 'Religion and Gender'.
How do the religious sects and denominations function in the society.
Write short notes on any five of the following:
(i) Post-modernism and religion
(ii) Globalization and religion
(iii) Religiosity and religiousness
(iv) Buddhism and women
(v) Sects in Christianity
(vi) Modernity and religion
(vii) Hindu Fundamentalism
(viii) Max Weber
2004
Describe how the interaction of social groups lead to develop social and religious values.
Discuss how the evolution of religious beliefs have led to rationalistic religious thought.
Examine the critique of sociologists on religion in reference to the means of social problems.
Explain how social attitudes changed with the gradual evolution of religious thought.
Enunciate the function of religious institutions to strengthen the civil life in society.
Describe the changes that have taken place in traditional religiousness in Sri Lanka due to foreign administration.
Differentiate the life style of a Buddhist monk from that of other religions.
Describe how industrialization and urbanization have affected the city life.
Examine how various types of religious traditions evolved within one religion.
Enunciate how social inequalities are mitigated through religious teachings.
2003
Examine whether it is possible to formulate a cosmic philosophy out of meaningful religious teachings.
Discuss how sociological thoughts lead to the formation of religious concepts.
Compare the views of Karl Marx on unequal distribution of wealth with canonical teachings of Buddhism.
Explain the characteristics of revelatory religions that are in existence.
Dustinguish religiousness of Sri Lanka with taht of other Buddhist countries in the world.
Examine how the disciplinary code in monastic life led to the development and failure in Buddhist order.
Explain the dominant role played by Buddhism among other religions in Sri Lanka.
Compare and contrast the religious teachings with modern science focusing on B uddhism.
2002
Evaluate, sociologically, the assistance of religion for proper human conduct.
Examine the applicability of religious beliefs for solving current social issues.
Comparatively analyze the sociological definitions of religion.
Assess the salient features of religiousness in Sri Lanka in the past and the present.
Examine the sociological significance of observances and festivals in Sri Lanka.
Explain how the Buddhist monasticc structure has influenced to enhance social values.
What are the challenges Buddhism and Hinduism had to face with the spread of missionary education in Sri Lanka.
Discuss the social problems croped up as a result of industrialization and urbanization.
