MS-655

SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION

Introduction o Definition o Elements of religion Theories of Religion o Introductory theories o How religion evolve o Sociological explanation o Sociological theories o Psycho-analytical theories Sociological consequences o The sociological functions of religion o Universal order of religion o Pragmatism in religion o Integrating power of religion o Religion and social ideals Sociological analysis of world religions systems o Judaism o Hinduism o Islam o Christianity o Buddhism Types of religious authority o The prophet o Clergy/organization of religious groups o The reformer o The saint/priest/moulvi o The magician Religion as Agency of Social Control BOOKS RECOMMENDED: 1. Thompson. Ian. (1988), Religion, Sociology in Focus Series. London Longman. 2. Johnstone, Ronald L. (1975), Religion and Society in Interaction. The Sociology of Religion, New Jersey Prentice-Hall. Vernon, Glenn M. (1962), Sociology of Religion, NewYork McGraw Hill. MS-654 SOCIOLOGY OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Basic Concepts o Civil Rights, Democratic Rights and Human Rights. o Perspectives on Rights: Liberal, Marxist and Neo-Marxist. o State, Constitution and Rights in Pakistan: Class, Caste, Tribe and Gender Growth of new rights e.g. Environment o Rights movement in Post in the post independent period

o Rights and Globalisation, Role of United Nations and Anti-Globalisation Movements. Conceptualising state sovereignty o Creation of states o Statehood and state sovereignty The nature of international law o Municipal law versus international law o Making and enforcing international law o IR actors as subjects of international law o Theory and themes Human rights in international law o Important human rights treaties and obligations of state parties -UDHR, ICCPR, ICESCR etc o Human rights as part of international customary law o Enforcing human rights o Preventive action / Humanitarian interventions (Past successes Mozambique, failures Rwanda, Somalia) o International courts and tribunals Prosecutable offences under international law ICTY and ICTR ICC o National mechanisms and transitional justice o TRC in South Africa Gacaca trials in Rwanda o Soft law as an alternative The role of IGOs and non-state actors Foreign policy tools BOOKS RECOMMENDED: 1. Forsythe, D.P.: Human Rights in International Relations (second edition), CUP, 2006 2. The social context of Law by Sheryl J. Grana and Jane C. Ollenburger, pages 14 to 17. 3. Sociology of Law. Types and functions of Law: Law and Society by Steven Vago and Adie Nelson, pages 1 to 23. 4. Defining Law: Alex Wellington and Allan Greenbaun, pages 8 to 9. 5. Sociolegal theories: An introduction by Neil Boyd, pages 3 to 29. 6. The Sociology of Law by Brian Burtch, pages 27 to 35 41 to 51.