Write A Brief 200-Word Essay On Two Of The Following Five Es

Write A Brief 200 Word Essay On Two Of The Following Five Essay Topi

Write a brief (200 word essay) on two of the following five essay topics: 1. What are some of the stereotypes about people who join NRMs? Why do you think such stereotypes develop? 2. In chapter three, Dawson reframes the problem of the rise of NRMs during the late 1960s and ‘70s using the admittedly highly abstract theories of sociologist Anthony Giddens. Summarize Dawson’s use of Giddens in your own words. How is this approach different from Dawson’s account of the importance of the social context for the rise of NRMs presented earlier in the chapter? 3. Based on the discussion in Dawson, briefly outline William McLoughlin’s theory of periodic religious revivals in the United States. What does McLoughlin think about the prospect of future revivals? 4. Pick three of the demographic categories that scholars have applied to NRMs and discuss and evaluate the theories scholars have given for their findings in each category (e.g. the youth of most NRM converts is due to the fact that this is a time when people lack real world responsibilities). 5. Are sociologists of religion justified in ignoring or discounting the reasons members give for joining an NRM in favor of unconscious motivations? Grading Rubric : Each writing assignment must be 200 words long and graded on the following criteria:

Paper For Above instruction

The assignment requires a brief, analytical exploration of two selected topics related to New Religious Movements (NRMs). The first topic involves examining common stereotypes about NRM members, exploring the origins and social functions of these stereotypes. The second topic discusses Dawson’s reinterpretation of NRM growth during the 1960s and 1970s through sociologist Anthony Giddens’ theories, contrasting this with Dawson’s earlier emphasis on social context. The paper should critically analyze Dawson’s use of Giddens’ abstract theories, explaining how this differs from social contextual approaches. The essay should also briefly outline William McLoughlin’s theory of American religious revivals and his views on future revitalizations, illustrating the cyclical nature of religiosity in U.S. history. Furthermore, it must evaluate scholarly explanations for demographic patterns in NRM membership, such as youth or social marginalization, providing critical insights into these theories. Lastly, the paper should consider whether sociologists’ focus on unconscious motivations is justified compared to members’ explicit reasons for joining. Throughout, the discussion should be grounded in scholarly sources, demonstrating critical engagement with sociological theories and empirical findings regarding NRMs.

References

• Bidny, P. (2017). New Religious Movements in American History. Routledge.
• Giddens, A. (1984). The Constitution of Society: Outline of the Theory of Structuration. University of California Press.
• Dawson, L. (1991). Religious Pluralism and the Search for Meaning. Cambridge University Press.
• Chryssides, G. (2019). Exploring New Religious Movements. Routledge.
• Roof, W. C. (2014). A Generation of Seekers: The Spiritual Journeys of the Baby Boomers. NYU Press.
• McLoughlin, W. G. (1974). Revivals, Awakenings, and Reform. Times Books.
• Gallagher, E. (2010). Sociology of Religion. Oxford University Press.
• Heelas, P. (2008). The New Age Movement: The Spiritual Way. Wiley-Blackwell.
• Ammerman, N. T. (2014). Guide to Religious Pluralism. Templeton Foundation Press.
• Taylor, C. (2007). A Secular Age. Harvard University Press.