Cultural System Geertz University Of California

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Cultural System Geertz University Of California

CAN USE GOOGLE TO CLARIFY THESE IDEAS (AKA SPARKNOTES, SUMMARIES ETC)

I PROVIDED BRACKETS TO CONNECT EACH QUESTION WITH EACH READING THE QUESTION IS BASED OFF OF WHICH IS ATTACHED IN THE FILES WITH THE SAME NAME.

LENGTH: NO SPECIFIC, WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO ANSWER WELL. SHORT ANSWER FORMAT SO USUALLY AROUND A PARAGRAPH.

  1. In “Religion as a Cultural System” Geertz defines religion as: “(1) A system of symbols which acts to (2) establish powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in men by (3) formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and (4) clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality that (5) the moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic.” With reference to each of the five components of his definition, explain this definition of religion in fuller detail. [BASED OFF “Religion as a Cultural System” Geertz]
  1. Elucidate the general thesis of Weber’s The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. In your response, be sure to explain why each of the following concepts are pivotal to Weber’s argument: a. economic traditionalism; b. Protestant Reformation; c. calling; d. predestination; e. this-worldly asceticism; f. spirit of capitalism; g. unintended consequence; h. the “iron cage” of instrumental rationality. [ USE LINK TO ANSWER: https://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/protestantet…]
  1. According to Berger, human beings create culture and culture, in turn, shapes human beings. Describe this dialectic process of “world construction” and, in doing so, explain the terms externalization, objectivation and internalization. Also, In Berger’s view, religion performs a “world maintenance” function. Explain why this is necessary and how religion is able to perform this function. [BASED OFF Berger The Sacred Canopy, CAN USE SUMMARIES TO UNDERSTAND BETTER]
  1. In Durkheim’s estimation, in what sense is religion “true” and what critical function does it serve for society? Also, with reference to Bellah’s civil religion thesis, explain civil religion, identify some of its most significant beliefs, rituals and symbols, and discuss why this thesis is distinctly “Durkheimian”? [USE BELLAH CIVIL RELIGION IN AMERICA PDF AND DURKHEIM PDF OR ONLINE]
  1. Explain the meaning of Marx’s famously disdainful observation that religion is the “opium of the people.” Drawing upon Weber, explain the extent to which you think certain forms of religion actually resist Marx’s characterization. [USE ONLINE RESEARCH FOR MARX, AND Weber’s The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism]
  1. In an effort to conceptualize the relationship between religion and popular culture, scholars sometimes use the following typology: religion in popular culture; popular culture in religion; and popular culture as religion. Explain these three types and, to illustrate, provide an example for each. (Any source)
  1. In American Religion, Chaves introduces reader to numerous religious trends in the U.S. Explain any three of these trends and discuss why you think they are important for understanding some dimension of Americans’ religious lives. [USE: https://muse.jhu.edu/book/36336]
  1. We generally think of religious collectivities in terms of the “ideal types” church, denomination, sect and cult. Giving examples of each, explain each of these types. Also, explain how the teenage witches in Berger and Ezzy’s study both fit into one of these types and, at the same time, seem to problematize these longstanding sociological categories. [READING: BERGER AND EZZY TEENAGE WITCHES]
  1. Rosebeth Kanter delineates three types of community and, concomitantly, six different commitment mechanisms. Define these types and mechanisms and then actually use them to examine the level of commitment engendered by a particular religious or secular institution of which you are aware. This can be an institution you know of personally or one addressed in this class. [READING: KANTER, COMMITMENT]
  1. O’Dea on institutionalization. describe its overall findings and then explain why you think it remains an important article for understanding religion within contemporary society. [READING: O’DEA]
  1. Sometimes religion helps to bring about social change and, at other times, societal trends and events help to bring about religious change. Explain one of these two tendencies and illustrate it with detailed reference to a reading (from any provided).