Details for The Sociology of Christian Community and Practice

Why do we act the way we act? Why do we gather in certain social groups and not others? Have you ever wondered how our faith connects with society? Sociologists are those who study human social behaviour and propose these questions. Students undertaking this unit will be introduced to the field of sociology with the aim to explore the trends and megatrends that have formed the Christian community and its practice. Specifically, the broader Australian community and context will be explored, to discover the role and value of the contemporary Australian church.

The unit The Sociology of Christian Community and Practice is part of the subject area Ministry and is offered as a part of the following Awards: Bachelor of Applied Theology (Korean) (Alphacrucis College (NSW Dept. of Education)), Bachelor of Contemporary Ministry (Alphacrucis College (NSW Dept. of Education)).

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This course brings the contextualisation of the student’s training into the Australian present, introducing students to a range of sociological thought and technique, and to the megatrends that make Australian society a particular place.

Subject Content

1. Introduction to Sociological Ideas: Sociology and Faith; The Sociologists: Peter Berger,Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, Karl Marx et al
2. The Settlement of Australia and Population Trends
3. National Institutions: Language; Family; Government; Egalitarianism; Masculinity and Femininity
4. Primal Sins and Fundamental Myths: Convictism Materialism in Western society Racism, Imperialism
5. Australian Religiousness 1788: Politics, Education, church types and major trends
6. Australian Aboriginal Christianity and the search for an Australian Identity

This course may be offered in the following formats

Tutorials, guided reading and reflection, field work, group projects.

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis College.

Assessment Methods

Critical Reflection (20%, 1000 words); Minor Assignment (20%, 1000 words); Major Assignment( 60%, 3000 words)

Prescribed Text

No textbook.

Recommended:

Berger, P. The Sacred Canopy: Elements of a Sociological Theory of Religion, New York: Anchor Books, 1976/1990.

OR

Berger, P. An Invitation to Sociology A Humanistic Perspective. New York: Anchor Books, 1963.

Representative References

• Bainbridge, W. S. The Sociology of Religious Movements, New York: Routledge,1996.
• Berger, P. Invitation to Sociology. New York: Doubleday, 1963.
• Black, A (ed.). Religion in Australia.St. Leonards, N.S.W.: Allen & Unwin, 1991.
• Carey, Hilary M. Believing in Australia. St. Leonards, N.S.W.: Allen & Unwin, 1996.
• Emerson, Michael O. and Christian Smith, Divided by Faith. Oxford:Oxford Univ. Pr., 2001.
• Fraser, D.A. and Campolo, A. Sociology through the Eyes of Faith.New York: Harper, 1992.
• Fuller, Robert C. Spiritual, but Not Religious America, Oxford: Oxford Univ. Pr., 2002.
• Gill, R (ed.). Theology and Sociology.London: SPCK, 1994.
• Harris, J. One Blood. Sutherland, N.S.W.: Albatross, 1990.
• Hutchinson, M. and Kalu, O. (eds.). A Global Faith.Macquarie Centre, N.S.W.: CSAC, 1998.
• Kaldor, P et al (eds.). Winds of Change. Homebush West: Lancer, 1994.
• MacKay, H. Reinventing Australia. New York: HarperCollins, 1993.
• Mackay, Hugh. Generations. Sydney :Pan Macmillan,1997.
• Wuthnow, Robert. and John F. Wilson. The Restructuring of American Religion. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1990.