Beliefs in society is an option within AQA A-level sociology. It usually taught in the second year of study.

The Causes of Fundamentalism – class notes outlining Steve Bruce’s theory of the causes of Fundamentalism. The Marxist Perspective on Religion – class notes on Marx’s well known view that ‘religion is the opium of the masses’. What is Religion? – An introductory post, covering the difference between substantive and functional definitions of religion. Sociological explanations of religion, science and ideology including both Christian and non-Christian religious traditionsRationalisation, Disenchantment and secularisation – some theorists of secularization argue that modernity and the growth of science, reason and bureaucracy have killed off religion. This post provides more details on these theories. Acquire strong research skills with practical tasks that actively involve students in the research process The Church – revision notes covering the key features of the church, which are the largest, well established and most conservative religious organisations in many societies.

The book focuses on the key topics of Beliefs in Society, Crime and Deviance, and Theory and Methods to achieve the depth of coverage required for top grades. Steve Chapman has been a co-author of Sociology AS for AQA and Sociology A2 for AQA, as well as the OCR editions, since the first edition was published in 2000. He is also the author of several student support Books for both AQA and OCR A-level and AS Sociology. He has edited and written a series of student unit guides for OCR Sociology, the Letts revision guides, an AS/A-Level Sociology Essential Word Dictionary and two books focused on original sociological research. He is an experienced teacher of over 30 years’ standing and was Chief Examiner for a major exam board. Why are women more religious than men (1) – c lass notes focusing on the extent to which different gender roles might explain this. The relationship between Postmodernity and religion – A hub post containing links to the theories of Bauman, Giddens, Lyon and Heelas on how religion changes with postmodernity.World rejecting new religious movements – revision notes. These are often known as sects. They tend to be small and critical of mainstream society. They also tend to demand the highest level of commitment from members. The significance of religion and religiosity in the contemporary world, including the nature and extent of secularisation Malinowksi’s Perspective on Religion – more in-depth class notes. Malinowski differs from Durkheim in that he did not believe that when people worshiped religion they were really worshiping society. He tended to focus more on the positive functions religion performed for the individual rather than society.

Gender and religious belief – a short post outlining some of the statistics which suggest that women are more religious than men. the relationship between social change, stability, and religious beliefs, practices and organisations;This textbook has been revised by our team of expert authors, who are practising sociologists, teachers and HE experts. It includes full coverage of Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods; Beliefs in Society; Global Development; The Media; and Stratification and Differentiation. Tried and tested content works alongside new features to ensure that students: Reference Col 1 Times Books A-Z Astronomy Gardening National Parks National Trust Books Road Maps & Atlases World Atlases Denominations – which share many of the features of churches, but are generally smaller. These are more appealing to minority groups and do not have a monopoly on the truth.

Religious pluralism – evidence for secularisation? Religious beliefs and practices have become more diverse over time. Some sociologists argue this is evidence for secularisation because this waters down the power of religion. For example, it is more difficult for any one religion to claim a monopoly of truth. However, pluralisation may be evidence of religion become more popular, ust on an individual, not a social level. Religion in global context; globalisation and the spread of religions What is secularisation? – a basic definition is ‘the declining significance of religion in society’, but this post digs a little deeper. Max Weber – The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism – revision notes outlining Max Weber’s complex theory that the austere values and lifestyle of Protestant Calvinism eventually gave rise to modern Capitalism. The contents are carefully mapped to the AQA A level specification, so you can be sure you are studying exactly what you need to.

Evaluate the view that religion no longer acts as a shared universe of meaning for people today (20) – an essay plan. Religion and globalisation – brief revision notes covering different perspectives on the relationship between globalisation and religion. Nawal El Saadawi: The Hidden Face of Eve – class notes covering Egyptian feminist El Saadawi’s perspective on the role of religion in oppression women in the Arab World. She basically argues that it’s patriarchy, not religion that’s the problem. Neo Functionalism: Civil Religion – Robert Bellah’s concept of Civil Religion dragged Functionalist analysis of religion into the 20th century, and maybe you can use it to drag it into the 21st?!