Religion in Sociological Perspective

WHAT'S NEW:

• Survey data have been updated whenever possible, and almost half of all photos, figures, and tables are new to this edition.

• Several new and updated “Illustrating Sociological Concepts” boxes provide extended case studies of particular sociological ideas, and new and updated “Doing Research on Religion” boxes highlight the process by which the findings conveyed in the textbook come into being.

• The chapter on religion, social stability, and social conflict includes new coverage of the growing force of Christian Nationalism in American political discourse.

• The chapter on unconventional manifestations of religion includes expanded discussion of religion in sport and religion online.

KEY FEATURES:

• Throughout the book, the authors analyze the contributions and blind spots of each theory and emphasize the relationship between research methods and findings.
  
  
• The authors seek to convey the perspective from which sociologists view religion, and to be illustrative rather than all-encompassing.
  
  
• Throughout the book, the authors describe the contributions of various theoretical perspectives (conflict, functional, social constructionist, rational choice); discuss the limitations of each theory; and integrate the various theories into an overarching framework, the open systems model, which stresses both structure and dynamic process.

• Each chapter connects students to resources in the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA) to explore issues raised in the chapter— enabling instructors to create an active, problem-solving learning environment.
  
  
• A comprehensive, up-to-date, readable textbook along with hundreds of active-learning strategies, sample syllabi, online learning resources connected to the Association of Religion Data Archives (The ARDA), and a test bank, provides instructors with everything they need to teach the sociology of religion for the first or fiftieth time.