1. How does the text define religion, and what role does religion play in your life? Think of any two social institutions such as education or marriage and family which adhere to the religious principles of the majority. Hypothetically speaking, how would society be structured if those religious principles were removed. (CSLO 4, USLO 7.1)
2. Emile Durkheim believed that religion promotes social cohesion, social control, and offers meaning and purpose to human life. Do you agree with him? Why or why not? Provide at least 2 specific instances, from your experience or others’, to support your viewpoint. (CSLO 4, USLO 7.2)
3. German sociologist and political economist Max Weber (1864–1920), in his seminal work, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, believed religion to be a precipitator of social change. Critique his approach and argue against his view point to show that changes in religious ideals did not create capitalism. (CSLO 4, USLOs 7.2, 7.5)
4. German philosopher, journalist, and revolutionary socialist Karl Marx (1818–1883) studied the social impact of religion and believed religion reflects the social stratification of society. He argued that religion maintains inequality and perpetuates the status quo. Pick a social situation or an event in the past 5 years, and using an NBC Learn video clip, support or critique Marx’s take on religion.
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