Course Description: What role does religion play in society? What are
the similarities and differences in the major religious traditions in
our society?  How can we explain variation in belief and
participation?  Are we becoming more or less religious?  This course
will try to answer these questions and more.  While we won't be
looking at specific doctrines or histories, we will be looking at the
general practices and beliefs of Mainline Protestants, Evangelical and
Black Protestants, Roman Catholicism, Judaism, and Islam, especially
their significance to contemporary social issues.