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DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
MASTER’S PROGRAM in
SOCIOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY OF RELIGION
Educational-qualification degree: Master
Professional Qualification: MASTER OF SOCIOLOGY
Duration: 1 year
Mode of study: Full time
The Master's program "Sociology and anthropology of religion" for experts is open
to students of humanities. It explores issues and includes lecturers in accordance with the
priorities
of
the
department
and
its
specificity.
Current requirements for an integrated world, determines the need for academic training in
sociology and anthropology of religion. Religious phenomena are studied with academic
objectivity
and
without
preference
for
a
particular
religious
tradition.
The main objective of the program is using different methods and academic opportunities of
other human sciences - sociology, philosophy, psychology, ethnology, anthropology, etc., to
help students build awareness and skill benchmarking and expert behavior in the dialogue
between different religions.
The courses in the Master's program "Sociology and Anthropology of Religion"
explore overt and latent functions of the religion in human societies.
Students acquire knowledge of basic subjects such as: major world religions,
psychology of religion, sociological methodology, religion and politics, religion and
modernity, demographics, traditional religious communities.
The main highlights of the program are:
- An approach that accepts the existence of different religions and millions of
believers;
- Achieving a better understanding of religious phenomena, processes of
secularization, Sacralisation, desecularization in modern societies and others;
- Study of modern religiosity in order to overcome the spiritual and moral vacuum
imbalance in contemporary society.
Graduates of the Master's program "Sociology and anthropology of religion" can work
as:
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- Mediators in the interaction between religious and civil institutions and organizations;
- Sociologists - researchers participating in the project, working with foundations, informal
organizations;
- Consultants in areas such as management, public relations, education and social activities in
the line of educational programs and the preparation of materials for teaching in secondary
schools.
Curriculum
Major: Sociology – 03.32_2.9.20
First year
First Semester
ECTS credits
M aj o r
world
religions
Qualitative Methods and the
Study
of
Religions
Demography
Elective Course
8.5
8.5
8.5
4.5
Second Semester
Psychology of Religion
Religious denominations in Bulgaria
Elective Course
Preparation for state exam or defense of
diploma thesis
Total 30
Elective Course /Third semester/
ECTS credits
The Students select one course
Religion and Politics
Methodology of sociological
research
4.5
4.5
ECTS credits
6
6
3
15
Total 30
Elective Course /Fourth Semester/
ECTS credits
The Students select one course
Nontraditional religious communities
Religion and Modernity
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3
For 1 ACADEMIC YEAR: 60 CREDITS
]
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ANNOTATION OF THE COURSES
MAJOR WORLD RELIGIONS
ECTS credits 8,5
Weekly classes: 3 Lectures + 1
Seminars
Form of exam: current grade
Type of exam: written and oral
Methodical guide:
Department of Sociology
Faculty of Philosophy
Lecturer (s):
ASSOC. PROF. PH.D. MARIA SERAFIMOVA, DEPARTMENT OF "SOCIOLOGY"
[email protected]
ANNOTATION:
In the lectures are displayed and problematize major categories, concepts and principles that
would assist in the orientation in the so called religious dilemmas of modernity. In the course
are accepted dynamic, and not the fixed definition of the religious. We keep track of trends in
the real religion of modern society - religious pluralism, religious mobilization secularization,
and civil religions, secular and worldly religions. We present results from ESR and also the
application of qualitative methods.
COURSE CONTENT:
• Main categories, concepts and principles which could assist in the orientation so religious
dilemmas of modernity
• What are the changes and transformations in the sphere of religious precisely in the line of
precise demarcation of sociological problem circles?
• What sociological systems have particular importance in the design of the course
you will be able to do:
• Sociological Analysis, interpretation and comparison of texts and phenomena
• Discussions
TECHNOLOGY OF TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT:
Excellent (6) - a good knowledge of information sources, in-depth key rebounds and
additional knowledge and skills, meaningful and correct understanding.
Very. Good (5) - a very good key rebounds and additional knowledge, meaningful and correct
understanding of the matter, the application of skills learned in complex cases.
Good (4) - a key rebounds and additional knowledge to solve problems and tasks, but without
developing into independent thinking;
Average (3) - for attained knowledge.
QUALITATIVE METHODS AND THE STUDY OF RELIGION
ECTS credits 8,5
Seminars
Form of exam: current grade
Methodical guide:
Department of Sociology
Weekly classes: 2 Lectures + 2
Type of exam: written and oral
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Faculty of Philosophy
Lecturer (s):
ASSOC. PROF. PH.D. VLADIMIR DULOV, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SCIENCES
[email protected]
ANNOTATION:
The course aims at developing a theoretical “understanding” among the students about
the bases and traditions in the qualitative studies of religions, about their relevance to
contemporary Bulgarian society, as well as developing a practical “know-how” and direct
experience in their field practices.
Students are introduced to the debate between proponents of quantitative and qualitative
methods in the study of religion and the arguments of the various parties.
Qualitative research were intentionally underdeveloped field of sociology, thus using the
achievements of classical and contemporary Western authors to familiarize students with the
heuristic potential of qualitative methods. Track is kept of the few examples of pre-war
traditions in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as new trends and reasons for their revival.
COURSE CONTENT:
- Follow the main traditions in qualitative research: the Chicago school of anthropology, M.
Weber, phenomenological sociology, symbolic interactionism, "naturalistic" method,
humanistic method, and ethnomethodology. The course meets specific methods such as
observation with participation, in-depth interviews, life stories, content analysis, discourseanalysis, focus groups, analysis of advertisements and photographs, use of computers in
qualitative studies of religions. The advantages and disadvantages in the application of
different methods are discussed. Students develop theoretical "understanding" of the grounds
and traditions in qualitative studies of religions.
- To give them practical "know-how" and direct experience in their implementation;
- Students can put into practice specific techniques to help them with empirical data for future
master thesis.
TECHNOLOGY OF TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT:
The evaluation in the course "Qualitative methods and research of religion" is formed at the
end of the semester as the students are evaluated with answers on written questions.
DEMOGRAPHY
ECTS credits 8,5
Weekly classes: 2 Lectures + 2
Seminars
Form of exam: current grade
Type of exam: written and oral
Methodical guide:
Department of Sociology
Faculty of Philosophy
Lecturer (s):
ASSOC. PROF. PH.D. JORDAN KALCHEV, DEPARTMENT OF "SOCIOLOGY"
[email protected]
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ANNOTATION:
The course includes demographics theoretical knowledge of the fundamental concepts and
categories of the population, approaches and methods of measurement and data analysis in
the social and demographic research. Deals with the methodology and the organization and
conduct of statistical studies of the phenomena and processes (natural and mechanical
movement) which form the basic structure of the population and its development, the
economic activity of the population (employment and unemployment), structures of income,
expenditure and consumption population (household budgets), educational and health status
of the population. Major sources of statistical information and provide statistical monitoring
data of state statistics are identified. Applications to international regulations (Eurostat, UN,
ILO and others.) and practices in other countries in the field of social and demographic
research are discussed.
COURSE CONTENT:
Through lectures and practical knowledge the students understand basic concepts and
categories of the population on demographic and socio statistics. Primary sources of
information, applying different methods, calculation and analyze the main indicators
characterizing the size and structure of aggregates are used, and the level and intensity of
development of demographic processes is tracked.
TECHNOLOGY OF TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT:
Final grade in the course "Demography" is formed at the end of the semester based on the
results of the written test, the current assessment and coursework based on real statistics.
PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION
ECTS credits 8,5
Weekly classes: 2 Lectures + 2
Seminars
Form of exam: current grade
Type of exam: written and oral
Methodical guide:
Department of Sociology
Faculty of Philosophy
Lecturer (s):
ASSIST. PROF. PH.D. GEORGY VELICHKOV, DEPARTMENT OF “PHYLOSOPHY”
[email protected]
ANNOTATION:
In every human society we find religion in a particular form, which entails studying. The
proposed course "Psychology of Religion" is only one aspect of the problem, an expression of
its immanent human side. This aspect is valuable and important on the one side for the
religion, and on the other it can acquire a complete character only when complemented by the
performances of all religious disciplines.
Psychology of religion as an academic discipline is an empirical science, which bases its
findings on the data acquired in the process of research, analysis and interpretation of various
known theories. This in turn implies the clear answer to the question: What is religion
anyway?
Religion in all its manifestations, based on the existing psychological processes reveals the
quest for the meaning of life. This implies reference to both the ancient classical notes and the
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Christian Fathers, and particularly hagiographic literature from the earliest times to the
present.
COURSE CONTENT:
- To clarify basic concepts, categories and theories;
- To reach a clear understanding of the nature and characteristics of this symbiosis - religion
and psychology.
TECHNOLOGY OF TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT:
The evaluation of the course "Psychology of Religion" is formed at the end of the semester
course as students are evaluated with the answer on written questions.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS IN BULGARIA
ECTS credits 6
Weekly classes: 2 Lectures + 2
Seminars
Form of exam: current grade
Type of exam: written and oral
Methodical guide:
Department of Sociology
Faculty of Philosophy
Lecturer (s):
ASSOC. PROF. PH.D. MARIA SERAFIMOVA, DEPARTMENT OF "SOCIOLOGY"
[email protected]
ANNOTATION:
The lectures are focused on theoretical knowledge associated with traditional denominations
in Bulgaria. Keeping track of the transformations in the sphere of religion, de-monopolization
of religious traditions and the profound changes in the system of beliefs and values. Students
learn the pluralistic situation in modern societies. Individual and collective existence is
analyzed in terms of the dilemma of modernity in the so called secularized societies. Its
legitimacy depends not only on religion appurtenance to the great religious systems.
COURSE CONTENT:
The course aims:
- To measure religious attitudes;
- To trace the historical aspect of denominations;
- To present the principles of operation of various denominations in relation to family life and
interpersonal aspects of the community in which the individual develops.
TECHNOLOGY OF TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT:
The grade is formed at the end of the course with assessment of prepared coursework.
ECTS credits 8,5
Form of exam: current grade
Methodical guide:
Department of Sociology
Faculty of Philosophy
RELIGION AND POLITICS
Weekly classes: 2 Lectures
Type of exam: written and oral
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Lecturer (s):
ASSOC. PROF. PH.D. MARIA SERAFIMOVA, DEPARTMENT OF "SOCIOLOGY"
[email protected]
ANNOTATION:
The course tracks changes and transformations in the religious sphere along with precise
demarcation of respective problem circles. There remain sociological systems that have
particular importance in the design of the course. Evolution of the major world religions are
discussed in sociological perspective. Students receive information about actual trends of
modern society - religious pluralism, secularization, religious mobilization and more. By
presenting the results with ESR and use of some deep, qualitative methods allows for
sociological analysis and comparison.
Students learn basic categories, concepts and principles to assist in the orientation to the
religious dilemmas of modernity. The course accepts dynamic, not fixed definition of
religions in the modern societies.
COURSE CONTENT:
Main categories, concepts and principles that would assist in the orientation so religious
ilemmas of modernity. What are the changes and transformations in the sphere of religious
precisely
the
line
of
demarcation
problem
of
sociological
circles.
Which sociological systems have particular importance in the design of the course.
TECHNOLOGY OF TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT:
TEST - to obtain feedback on the way the material presented is understood by the students
and prepares them for the terminology.
COURSEWORK AND / OR DESCRIPTION - The assessment is largely formed during
the semester, some students are exempt based on the proactiveness in the education process.
METHODOLOGY OF SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
ECTS credits 8,5
Weekly classes: 2 Lectures
Form of exam: current grade
Type of exam: written and oral
Methodical guide:
Department of Sociology
Faculty of Philosophy
Lecturer (s):
ASSOC. PROF. PH.D. MARIA SERAFIMOVA, DEPARTMENT OF "SOCIOLOGY"
[email protected]
ANNOTATION:
The course aims to create skills for preparing research projects and direct the students to
prepare for their professional development.
Students are placed in the interactive gaming market situation in which they formulate
their own individual and group projects, prepare in written text all components of a real
research project and after that they have to protect it. Complete freedom in choosing the
themes and forms of projects is given. For advice on specific topics in the content of the
projects students are directed to teachers and experts in the field. Interactively are unfolded
situations creating a group research project, with clash of opinions and consensus building,
public presentation of competing projects, including meetings of experts responsible for
evaluating projects.
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COURSE CONTENT:
- Create skills for analysis and interpretation of data from sociological studies;
- To learn conceptual schemes for their career development.
TECHNOLOGY OF TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT:
Course evaluation is formed at the end of the semester course by assessing the projects
developed by students and the written research reports.
NON-TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES
ECTS credits 2
Weekly classes: 2 Lectures
Form of exam: current grade
Type of exam: written and oral
Methodical guide:
Department of Sociology
Faculty of Philosophy
Lecturer (s):
ASSOC. PROF. PH.D. VLADIMIR DULOV, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SCIENCES
[email protected]
ANNOTATION:
The course introduces students to the problems of non-traditional religious communities, their
representatives and spreading in Bulgaria. The aim is to give the students the sociological
sensitivity for the relations between the individual and the social group: how differently
nontraditional religious communities as social entities with different cultures interact within
themselves, with each other and with the larger society. The goal is to "feel" the relationship
between empirical observation, data analysis and sociological theory. It is expected that once
students have mastered this perspective and "understanding" of traditional religious
communities, for them to be able to apply the same method of monitoring, analysis and
theorizing and other aspects of life, and build a broader understanding of the religious
communities and their role in modern society. Example is given for the main representatives
of new religious movements, social aspects, problems of family in new religious movements.
Attention is drawn to the contradictions and conflicts associated with traditional religious
communities and research methods specific to their research. Specially are studied the social
construction of reality of the new religious movements and the specific viewpoint of a
sociologist towards them.
COURSE CONTENT:
- Gives students a sociological sensitivity of the relations between the individual and the
social groups;
- To "feel" the relationship between empirical observation, data analysis and sociological
theory;
- Students learn to apply the same method of monitoring, analysis and theorizing and other
aspects of life.
TECHNOLOGY OF TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT:
The assessment in the course "Nontraditional religious communities" is formed at the end of
the semester course by evaluating responses from the students on written essay-questions.
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RELIGION AND MODERNITY
ECTS credits 8,5
Weekly classes: 2 Lectures
Form of exam: current grade
Type of exam: written and oral
Methodical guide:
Department of Sociology
Faculty of Philosophy
Lecturer (s):
ASSOC. PROF. PH.D. VLADIMIR DULOV, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SCIENCES
[email protected]
ANNOTATION:
The course aims to provide knowledge and skills for the sociological analysis of issues
related to the role of religion, religious institutions, religious beliefs, values, rituals and
traditions associated with it, in modern societies. Students are introduced to the principal
positions, structural dependencies and trends of the modernizing process and the role of the
religious factor. Emphasis is placed on current issues of cross-cultural and inter-confessional
relations in post-industrial and information society, the impact of globalization on the
behavior of religious communities.
COURSE CONTENT:
Definition of modernity. Basic concepts. Revealing the essence of rationalism as an ideal type
and life strategy. Genesis and evolution of the modern. The place of religious consciousness,
religious institutions and communities in modern design. Clarifying the role of religious
culture for the implementation of socio-cultural change in modernity. Defining religious
factors contributing to the radical transformation of society.
TECHNOLOGY OF TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT:
- Independence and originality of the work;
- Ability to use the conceptual apparatus of sociology;
- Knowledge of key works and textbooks on the subject;
- Correctness of these ideas expressed;
- Justification, proving such a set;
- Relevance and significance of the findings.
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