SOC252 Tutor Marked Assignment 01

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Distinguish between normative understandings and truth claims about religion(s) and the aims of the academic study of religion in the social sciences.

2. Explain different scholarly approaches to religion and some definitions of religion that flow from these.

3. Demonstrate familiarity with a range of forms of religious life (i.e. traditions, institutions etc.) and their historical and cultural contexts.

4. Examine the relationship between religion and other forms of social life (including identity, gender roles, nation states, globalisation).

5. Question the universal applicability of categories and terms employed in the study of religion and critically discuss key topics and issues involving religions today.

6. Apply cultural relativism, methodological and theoretical pluralism, and think cross-culturally and comparatively about religions.

7. Sketch religious diversity in the contemporary world.

This Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA01) is worth 25% of the final mark for SOC252 Religion and Society.

Submission Instructions

Due Date: 03/09/2026 11:55pm

Submit your essay together with your cover page (SOC self-declaration form), in a single file (saved as MS word file), to the submission link titled [TMA01]

Resubmissions are allowed before this cut-off time.

Question 1 (100 marks)

Is literacy a defining characteristic of religion? Writing was first invented about 5000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia, and among the earliest known writings are religious texts. There are still many smaller ethnic religions in the world today that continue to be transmitted orally. Such pre-historic and pre-literate societies have no sacred scriptures and no religious authorities that
of scared scriptures and their skills in interpreting these. As sociologists, should we call these or should we use alternative concepts such as, for example, mythologies, cults, superstitions, or oral traditions?

Instructions to Students

•  Respond to the question in a single coherent essay of 1500 words (+/- 10%), not in separate sections.
•  While there may be a correct or wrong answer to the question in your own mind, social scientists may have different opinions on this matter. This essay should not just be about your personal opinions but about your ability to demonstrate that you have understood the complexity of the issue and have a good grasp of different sides of the arguments surrounding the issue. From a social science perspective there may be no single correct answer, only better or worse ones. Weaker answers tend to fall back on preconceived notions and personal opinions and fail to engage with the course materials and academic literature. Better answers define concepts used and reflect on their underlying assumptions, take an argumentative position that is coherent and consistently followed, and support their arguments with reference to course materials and relevant academic sources.
•  Your answer must include at least four references from the required course readings and at least four other academic references from your own research. These can be articles in academic journals or books from academic publishers. What distinguishes academic from non-academic sources is that the former are peer-reviewed or vetted by other experts on the subject. Of course, you can also use other sources (e.g., journalistic articles) but these should not serve to support a theoretical position in the context of academic debates.
•  Begin with substantive introduction and end with a proper conclusion, not just a couple of sentences under the heading of  just look like a conclusion but also do the job of a conclusion by referring back to the issues raised in the introduction, summarise the arguments made, and put the essay in a broader context.
•  Make sure that you acknowledge all the sources through proper in-text citations and a list of references at the end. The use of AI-generated content is subject to similar rules as that of other sources. If you use AI-generated content or use AI for editing, you must acknowledge this by giving the source (ChatGPT, Bing, etc) and information on how
• the content was generated (input questions, topics). Unacknowledged AI-generated content will be considered as plagiarism.
•  Finally, write clearly and proofread your essay to remove any grammatical and spelling errors to avoid the impression that you did not edit the answer. Make sure you follow academic conventions in the kind of language used, kind of evidence presented, and type of academic references referred to.

Write your answer in 1500 words. Please remember to provide the word count, and list of references. Be sure to use appropriate and academic sources, including your course materials.

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