Homework: Sociology of Religion
During this course, you will be tasked with completing a pilot field research project. In this project, you will find a religious institution other than the one you practice (if you practice one at all) and interview a member about their perspectives on the state of religion. Preferably, choose a religious institution you know little about.
You will be asked to submit your selected religious institutions in an ungraded topic selection homework about half-way through the semester. After you have selected a religious institution, make inquiries about a religious center that you can contact for a possible interviewee. Find out about the beliefs and practices using prior research (such as using Google or a personal website) before your approach the members. You will need to address each of these in the ungraded topic selection homework. When you are ready, approach the center and explain your project to a responsible member or a leader. Introduce yourself and your project. Explain the questions you would like to ask if you are prompted to explain your project. Ask for interviews: two interviews are expected: one with a leader and another one with a member of the institution (Church, Mosque, temple, monastery, religious cultural center, etc.)
Ask at least three of the following questions in an interview not to exceed 45 minutes:
a. How do you see the present state of religiosity?
b. What are the main benefits and problems of a religious life?
c. How do you see the future of religion?
d. How do you perceive the relationship between different religions?
e. A question of your own choosing (requires instructor approval).
Ideally, you will want to ask more questions than the three you choose. Never the less, you must select at least three of these options and they must be present in your interview.
Format your homework according to the give formatting requirements:
a. The answer must be double spaced, typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
b. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the course title, the student's name, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
c. Also include a reference page. The references and Citations should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.