Religion is a key part of every society on earth. From the Stone Age to the Space Age, religion has given people a sense of themselves and their cosmos. It has held societies together--and has also at times torn them apart. It is at once a source of meaning and a source of confusion, both to individuals and to groups. The founders of sociology tried to diagnose the ills of modern society by looking at its religions. In this course, we shall do the same. Through lectures, films, field trips and independent projects, we will come to understand the structure of modern religious life, its recent changes, and the significance of those changes for society at large. In the process, you will be invited to: