Sociology of Religion: Contemporary Developments

by Kevin J. Christiano, William H. Swatos, Jr., Peter Kivisto

Overview

This third edition of Sociology of Religion introduces students to key principles in the sociological understanding of religion, with revisions and updates throughout. The book offers an overview of the nature and function of religious institutions and practices, asking sociological questions about the changing role of religion in today’s “post-traditional” world.

After an introduction to the many facets of religion and key theories for its study, the book examines central themes such as changes in religious life in the United States; the intersections between religion, social class, and power and between gender, sexuality, and religion; globalization and religion; religion in mass media; and more. The third edition features new material on the relationship of race and ethnicity to religion, the perceived rises of both secularism and fundamentalism, and the role of religion in public debates on sexuality.

Sociology of Religion addresses both the foundations of the field and the profound changes it has undergone, placing new examples against their historical background. Charts, photos, down-to-earth examples, and a readable style make the book an ideal introduction for students.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442216914
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	10/15/2015
Edition description:	Third Edition
Pages:	410
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.10(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Kevin J. Christiano is an associate professor of sociology at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana and a past president of the Association for the Sociology of Religion and the American Council for Québec Studies.

William H. Swatos, Jr., served as the executive officer of the Association for the Sociology of Religion and of the Religious Research Association for many years. He is senior priest and Canon Theologian of the Anglican diocese of Quincy, Illinois.

Peter Kivisto is the Richard A. Swanson Professor of Social Thought at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, and a research fellow at the Università di Trento in Italy. An author or editor of more than twenty-five books, he is a member of the Council of the American Sociological Association.

Table of Contents

Part One: The Basics
By Way of IntroductionStudying ReligionThe “Religion” of Secularization and the History of ReligionsReligion in the United States: Denominationalism and BeyondPart Two: Religion and Social Differentiation
Social Class, Religion, and Power: A Classic Field of InquiryReligion and Ethnicity: A Complex RelationshipGender, Sexuality, and Religion: Spirituality in Different Voices? Part Three: Religion, Culture, and Change
Religious Change: The Case of Catholicism in the United StatesThe Globalization Dynamic: Historic Animosities or Postmodern Politics? Mediating Meaning: Religion in—and as—Contemporary CultureBoundary Issues: Church, State, and New ReligionsReferences

Editorial Reviews

Clearly written and comprehensive in scope, this revised edition provides a refreshing update of ongoing empirical developments, conceptual debates, and continuing challenges in understanding the complexity of religion in contemporary society.” —Michele Dillon, University of New Hampshire; coauthor of American Catholics in Transition

“I am very impressed with Sociology of Religion: Contemporary Developments. This volume provides a thorough treatment of sociological theories of religion and discusses an array of important conceptual issues in the field.” —Dr. John P. Bartkowski, University of Texas at San Antonio

“Sociology of Religion offers great coverage of topics, in terms of both breadth and depth. The book offers up-to-date treatment, an accessible and engaging writing style, and a very good supporting bibliography.” —Andrew Dawson, Lancaster University, United Kingdom

“Previous edition praise: This excellent book may well be the best text on the sociology of religion in print.” —Teaching Sociology

From the Publisher

Sociology of Religion offers great coverage of topics, in terms of both breadth and depth. The book offers up-to-date treatment, an accessible and engaging writing style, and a very good supporting bibliography.

Andrew Dawson

Clearly written and comprehensive in scope, this revised edition provides a refreshing update of ongoing empirical developments, conceptual debates, and continuing challenges in understanding the complexity of religion in contemporary society.

Michele Dillon

Previous edition praise: This excellent book may well be the best text on the sociology of religion in print.

Teaching Sociology

I am very impressed with Sociology of Religion: Contemporary Developments. This volume provides a thorough treatment of sociological theories of religion and discusses an array of important conceptual issues in the field.

Dr. John P. Bartkowski

Praise for the first edition:

I welcome the arrival of Sociology of Religion: Contemporary Developments. A new textbook in the sociology of religion is long overdue. This text covers all of the most important contemporary issues in the field, reminds us of some less appreciated topics (material culture, boundary issues), and brings in a host of novel historical materials as well. Undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty alike will find gems of insight into the place of religion in society throughout this textbook.

David A. Yamane

Praise for the first edition:

Finally, a sociology of religion textbook that presents theories and data about contemporary religion, both in the U.S. and globally, in ways that will grip the imaginations and life experiences of students. . . . A long awaited textbook that combines cutting-edge theories with rich descriptions of contemporary changes in religion, both in the U.S. and globally. . . . A textbook that challenges students to use sociological theories to think about some of the cutting edge issues in religion today.

Helen Rose Ebaugh

This book is well-conceived and will make an important contribution to the teaching of sociology of religion. It is timely and interesting, and is substantially different than other currently available texts on the sociology of religion. This book gives much more attention to ethnicity, social class, gender, and social change and I really like the chapter on the media and religion. I will definitely use this in my undergraduate classes.

Penny Edgell

Sociology of Religion offers great coverage of topics, in terms of both breadth and depth. The book offers up to date treatment, an accessible and engaging writing style, and a very good supporting bibliography.

Dr. Andrew Dawson

I am very impressed with Sociology of Religion: Contemporary Developments. This volume provides a thorough treatment of sociological theories of religion and discusses an array of important conceptual issues in the field.

Dr. John Bartkowski

I am very impressed with Sociology of Religion: Contemporary Developments. This volume provides a thorough treatment of sociological theories of religion and discusses an array of important conceptual issues in the field.

John Bartkowski

Sociology of Religion offers great coverage of topics, in terms of both breadth and depth. The book offers up to date treatment, an accessible and engaging writing style, and a very good supporting bibliography.

Andrew Dawson PhD