Sociology · Year 12 · Beliefs in Society · Summer Term

Religion in a Global Context

Explore the role of religion in a globalised world, including the rise of religious fundamentalism and the impact of postmodernity on belief. Consider how globalisation has led to both the spread and the transformation of religious ideas.

TL;DR:Challenge your students to look beyond the headlines and explore the complex, often contradictory, role religion plays in our interconnected world.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• AQA A-Level Sociology: Paper 2, Option B - Beliefs in Society: Religion in a global context

About This Topic

This topic, 'Religion in a Global Context', is a cornerstone of the A-Level Sociology 'Beliefs in Society' module. It challenges students to move beyond a purely UK-centric view of secularisation and consider the dynamic and often contradictory role of religion in an increasingly interconnected world. The curriculum requires students to engage with complex theoretical debates, including the impact of globalisation on religious belief and practice. Key thinkers such as Giddens highlight the dual nature of globalisation, which can both undermine traditional beliefs through cosmopolitanism and strengthen them through the rise of fundamentalism as a response to risk and uncertainty.

Furthermore, the topic delves into the influence of postmodernity on faith. Students will explore concepts like the decline of meta-narratives (Lyotard) and the subsequent rise of spiritual shopping or 'pick and mix' belief systems, as described by Hervieu-Léger. This contrasts sharply with the search for absolute certainty offered by fundamentalist groups. The core of this unit is to encourage critical evaluation, weighing evidence for religious revival and transformation against the classic secularisation thesis. Students should be able to synthesise these ideas to analyse phenomena like New Religious Movements (NRMs), New Age movements, and the role of religion in global conflicts and identity politics.

Key Questions

1. Explain the key features of religious fundamentalism.
2. Analyse the relationship between globalisation and the rise of new religious movements.
3. Evaluate the claim that religion has become more, not less, important in a postmodern, globalised world.

Learning Objectives

• Define and explain key concepts such as globalisation, fundamentalism, and cosmopolitanism.
• Analyse the relationship between postmodernity and changes in religious belief, including the growth of New Age movements.
• Evaluate the arguments and evidence for and against the secularisation thesis in a global context.
• Explain the characteristics of religious fundamentalism and its relationship to globalisation.
• Assess the view that religion is a major source of identity and conflict in the contemporary world.

Key Vocabulary

Globalisation	The growing interconnectedness of societies across the world, encompassing economic, political, and cultural links.
Fundamentalism	A form of religion, often emerging in response to modernity, that upholds belief in the strict, literal interpretation of scripture and seeks a return to traditional principles.
Postmodernity	A societal condition characterised by the decline of grand theories or 'meta-narratives', and an emphasis on individualism, choice, and cultural diversity.
Glocalisation	The process by which global phenomena are adapted and interpreted in local contexts, creating hybrid forms.
Cosmopolitanism	A way of thinking that embraces cultural diversity, openness, and tolerance, often associated with the globalised middle class.
Cultural Defence	A process where religion is used by a community to protect and defend its cultural identity in the face of external pressures or change.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Religious fundamentalism is the same as extremism and is exclusive to Islam.

What to Teach Instead

Fundamentalism is a broader mindset based on a literal interpretation of sacred texts as a reaction against modernity. It exists in most major religions, including Christianity, Hinduism, and Judaism, and is not inherently violent, though it can be associated with extremism.

Common Misconception

Globalisation simply means Westernisation and the end of local cultures.

What to Teach Instead

While Western culture is spread through globalisation, it is a two-way process. Sociologists use the term 'glocalisation' (Robertson) to describe how global ideas are adapted to local contexts, often resulting in hybrid forms of culture and religion.

Common Misconception

Postmodernity means nobody believes in anything anymore.

What to Teach Instead

Postmodernity describes a decline in the belief in single, all-encompassing truths (meta-narratives). This doesn't mean a loss of all belief, but rather a shift towards individual choice, spiritual seeking, and the rise of diverse, personalised belief systems.

Active Learning Ideas

Case Study Analysis

Fundamentalism Case Study Analysis

In small groups, students research a specific fundamentalist movement (e.g., the New Christian Right in the USA, Hindu nationalism in India). They then present their findings, analysing the group's characteristics against sociological definitions of fundamentalism.

60 min·Small Groups

Case Study Analysis

Globalisation and Religion Debate

Divide the class into two sides to debate the motion: 'This house believes that globalisation has made religion more, not less, important.' This encourages students to use theorists and evidence to construct and defend a coherent argument.

45 min·Whole Class

Case Study Analysis

Postmodern 'Spiritual Supermarket' Simulation

Create stations around the room representing different beliefs (e.g., crystals, yoga, online church, traditional worship). Students 'shop' for their own belief system, then reflect on how this activity illustrates postmodern concepts of choice and identity.

30 min·Individual

Real-World Connections

• Analysing the role of the 'New Christian Right' in influencing US politics and social policy.
• Investigating the global spread of Pentecostalism in Latin America and Africa and its social impact.
• Debating the 'Clash of Civilizations' thesis (Huntington) in relation to contemporary geopolitical conflicts.
• Examining the rise of 'wellness' culture and mindfulness as examples of New Age spirituality in Western societies.
• Discussing how social media and the internet have created new forms of religious community and expression ('digital religion').

Assessment Ideas

Peer Assessment

Write an essay responding to an A-Level style question, such as 'Assess the view that religion has become more significant as a source of social conflict in a globalised world.'

Quick Check

Students complete a concept map linking the key terms: globalisation, fundamentalism, postmodernity, and secularisation, explaining the connections between them.

Quick Check

Students use a 'confidence grid' to rate their understanding of different theorists (e.g., Giddens, Bauman, Bruce) and their arguments, identifying areas for revision.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'globalisation of religion' and 'religion's response to globalisation'?

'Globalisation of religion' refers to how faiths themselves are spreading and becoming more interconnected across the globe, for example, through migration and media. 'Religion's response to globalisation' refers to how religious groups react to the process, which can range from embracing it to fiercely resisting it through fundamentalism.

Are New Age movements a type of religion?

Sociologists often classify them as a form of spirituality rather than a formal religion. They tend to be highly individualistic, lack a central organisation or sacred text, and focus on self-spirituality and personal growth, which distinguishes them from traditional, institutionalised religions.

Why is Pentecostalism growing so rapidly in the developing world?

Sociologists suggest Pentecostalism offers a 'theodicy of disprivilege' (Weber), providing hope and meaning for the poor. Its ability to adapt to local cultures (glocalisation) and its emphasis on personal experience and community make it highly appealing in regions undergoing rapid social change due to globalisation.