Details for Church and Society

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

Awards offering Church and Society

This unit is offered as a part of the following awards:

• Graduate Certificate in Arts
• Graduate Diploma in Arts
• Graduate Diploma in Leadership
• Master of Arts
• Master of Leadership

Unit Content

Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an ability to identify and critically analyse one’s own  individual and corporate identity formation within social and other contexts;
2. Interpret and critically evaluate the historical development of contemporary western societies, modernity and postmodernity influences, and their relationships to religion;
3. Appraise the role and value of the church within contemporary societies
4. Demonstrate a growing proficiency in the technical language and research skills required to analyse, interpret and evaluate religious issues as mediated in public social science discourses;
5. Illustrate and critically reflect upon the relationship between societal frameworks and communal Christian structures, systems of belief and behaviours;
6. Devise an appropriate application of classical theories in the sociology of religion within Christian communal setting.

Subject Content

• Understanding society, individuals, social structures, and religion through the social sciences
• Social Science's Understanding of Religion
• Social Science's Understanding of Spirituality and Religious Commitment
• Social Science's Understanding of Christian Community and Church Membership
• The Great Narratives I: Modernisation, Postmodernity, and Globalisation
• The Great Narratives II: Secularisation
• The Great Narratives III: Global Renewal Movements
• Christ and Culture I: Fundamentalisms and the Religious 
• Christ and Culture II: Religion and the Mass Media
• Social Science Research Methods
• Responses to Modernity
• Society and Religion in Australia

This course may be offered in the following formats

• Face-to-Face (onsite)
• Distance/E-Learning (online)
• Intensive (One week: 7 hours per day for 5 days = 35 class hours + approx 95 hours out of class time for research, writing, exam preparation and execution, ancillary activities associated with completion of assigned tasks.)

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

Assessment Methods