Exam 10: Religion and Education

Outline the secularization thesis that was particularly popular in the 1980s.

Since the 1950s, school standards for Canadian children have declined and, compared to other developed countries, Canadian children spend less time at school and more time devoted to unimportant subjects. As a result, Canada's international economic competitiveness continues to decline.

Give an example of a totem and an example of a ritual.

According to the textbook, whether one gets a postsecondary education in Canada is mostly determined by which of the following?

Feminists maintain that, despite the greater number of women than men enrolled in university and college, women continue to experience disadvantages.

According to Durkheim, when people transcend or rise above their everyday lives and experience the sharing of values with some larger collective, which of the following are they in touch with?

Research reveals that social inequality encourages defiance of religious doctrine. For example, rich countries with significant inequality have the lowest levels of church attendance.

Distinguish the meanings of educational attainment and educational achievement.

Which of the following political views do religious fundamentalists tend to hold?

Zbigniew Brzezinski, national security adviser to President Jimmy Carter, wrote, "To win the war on terrorism, one must ... set two goals: first destroy the terrorists, and second, begin a political effort that focuses on the conditions that brought about the emergence of terrorism." These words are based on a sociological understanding that fundamentalism, like any religion, is which of the following?

Describe the thesis of Weber's book The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, and explain why Weber was a forerunner of the symbolic interactionist perspective.

What term is used in Weber's study of religion for the fact that, in the growth of any one religion, there is a transformation of divine enlightenment into a permanent feature of everyday life?

What would Durkheim consider a wooden cross to be?

State-supported churches are termed ecclesia, whereas denominations refer to pluralism within the church.

Pierre and Philip are adult brothers who now live in different cities. Although they were both raised as devout Catholics, Pierre has become a bit disillusioned with the Catholic Church. Although he certainly still considers himself a believer, and indeed he still goes to Church, unlike his brother Philip, the strength of his belief and the intensity of his emotional commitment to his faith are not as strong as they used to be. What do sociologists call the difference in the intensity of their commitment?

What did Weber call the idea that people can reduce their religious doubts and be assured of a state of grace by working diligently and living simply?

Define fundamentalism in contrast to traditional and established religions.

Distinguish the meanings of the terms sacred and profane, and define totem and ritual.

The history of many of the world's major religions supports the conclusion that the impulse to find a better world is encouraged by adversity in this one.

Outline the evidence that suggests that, in modern Canada, there is a religious revival and not decay.