What is Sociology?-Sociologists study groups-Sociologists study social interaction.-Sociologists study social institutions and social structures.-Sociologists study social patterns.-Sociologists understand that an individual can only be truly understood within his/her sociohistorical context.-Sociologists are interested in the ways individuals are shaped and influenced by their social environment.-Sociologists are fascinated by nonconformity and the ways in which people resist or change social forces that surround them.-Sociologists are fascinated by the “social construction of reality”-Sociologists debunk.Sociology entails a critical approach to understanding the world.Substantive and FunctionalSubstantive: What is Religion?; What is its essence? What is common amongst all religions that binds the definition together?Tells us what religion is and provides criteria for elements that should be included in the category of “religion”“dead ends because they are rooted in particular times, places, and cultural contexts” (5).BeliefPractices (behaviors)Functionalism: What does Religion do?Provides comfort/quells dissatisfactionStrengthens human communityAssures its followers that there is a larger cosmic order• Symbol: "objects, behaviors, or stories that represent or remind one of something else" (Roberts and Yamane p.8)Rituals: the rules of conduct which prescribe how a man should comport himself in the presence of these sacred objectsReligion: “an institution consisting of culturally patterned interaction with culturally postulated superhuman beings”Moral commandments of religion:Regulate human behaviorMaintains a sense of social unityRestrains self-interest, making society possibleReligionIndividual level: religious experienceSocietal or group level: religion experienced as a supra-individual forcePeriodic rituals/ceremonies where tribe members pay respect to sacred objectSocial Dimensions of the TotemTotemIntegrates tribal membersMembers identify with each otherTotem is the basis of kinship and social membershipRituals Create & recreate solidarity (i.e. Trust)Totem Creates a social and moral orderEating the totem animal is tabooKilling those named for totem (fellow members of tribe) is tabooSymbolizes the society & moral demands on the individual• Definition of Civil Religion: “cultural beliefs, practices, and symbols that relate a nation to the ultimate conditions of its existence” (Roberts and Yamane 342).Emphasizes order, law, and justiceActively interested, involved in historyWith special concern for AmericaFrom Ch. 2 (Religion Matters) “You Believe What? - What is the single largest religious denomination in the US? - United Methodists- How are Mainline Protestants different from Evangelical Protestants? - Mainline Protestants have a theologically modern view. They use cultural cues to interpret the word of god, while evangelicals take the word of god (ie. The bible ) to be law even with cultural trends- What are common characteristics of Black Protestant churches? - The seven keys of doctrine: repentance, baptism, consumption of unleavened bread and water,foot-washing, obedience to the bible, the holy kiss, and the lords prayer- Sociologists love to “lump” individuals and small groups into bigger groups: what groupsare lumped together in the category of evangelical protestant? What is similar/differentamong Evangelical Protestants?- Assembilies of God, Holiness Churches, Missouri Synod Lutheran Churhces, churches of the Nazarene, Southern Baptists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Full Gospel, Apostolic Churches, and many more. Most evangelical groups see their behavior as absolute, applicable to all people, and unchanging; born-again conversion experience- 3 sub categories: Evangelicals, Pentecostals, and Fundamentalists- Key characteristics of Christian Scientists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, LDS, UU, Quakers They don’t share much except that they are all Christians.- Christian Scientists- Practice primitive form of Christianity and its lost practice of healing members with spiritual truth- Jehovah’s Witnesses- Believe that Christ was the first of God’s creations and that Christ’s death opened up the opportunity for eternal life that follows the destruction of wickedness- LDS- Recognize both the bible and Book of Mormon as holy scripture- UU- do not believe that Jesus was of divine birth and believe everyone goes to heaven even if they aren’t saved- Quakers- Encouragement of the “religion of the heart” by participating in small groups of Christians to meet for prayer and spirituality- What is the world’s 2d largest religion?  Islam - What are the 5 pillars of Islam? (bonus) - What are the major branches or forms of Islam? - One god, there are angels, may have been prophets but only one message, final judgement, its possible to know god’s will in this life- Prayer, fasting, pilgrimage to Mecca, tything, and declaration of faith- Shi’a and Sunni- What is Sociology?- -Sociologists study groups- -Sociologists study social interaction.- -Sociologists study social institutions and social structures.- -Sociologists study social patterns.- -Sociologists understand that an individual can only be truly understood within his/her sociohistorical context.- -Sociologists are interested in the ways individuals are shaped and influenced by their social environment.- -- an example? Key concept: Recall the two girls who had been living underneath an anthill in an underground wolf’s den..Why are these cases so interesting to sociologists? shows the importance of socialization- -Sociologists are fascinated by nonconformity and the ways in which people resist or change social forces that surround them.- -Sociologists are fascinated by the “social construction of reality”- -Sociologists debunk.- Sociology entails a critical approach to understanding the world.What is Religion? Substantive and Functional Substantive: What is Religion?; What is its essence? What is common amongst all religions that binds the definition together? - Tells us what religion is and provides criteria for elements that should be included in the category of “religion”- “dead ends because they are rooted in particular times, places, and cultural contexts” (5).o Beliefo Practices (behaviors) Functionalism: What does Religion do? -Functionalism is a school of thought; says that a society is made up of parts that carry out functions that contribute to the