DA3721 Networks and Religion
This course explores the interplay of social networks and religion. Social scientists have long been aware of the interaction of social networks and religious behavior, but there are few, if any, systematic analyses of the topic. This course seeks to remedy this gap. It is divided into six sections. The first provides an overview of the history of, as well as current trends in, the social scientific study of religion and social network analysis. The next four sections focus on different ways that social network ties affect religious behavior: those that bind people of faith together (i.e., ties that bind), those through which religious ideas diffuse across time and space (i.e., ties that loose), those that contribute to the health and well-being of people and communities of faith (i.e., ties that build up), and those that lead to conflict and violence (i.e., ties that tear down). The final section consists of student presentations of their papers, as well as a review of the course.
Prerequisite
Student completed two quarters of coursework
Lecture Hours
4
Lab Hours
0