SOCIAL STUDIES: Research Project on Religion

Religion and society

Even if there is not a God that all human beings share, most societies have a deep belief in supernatural beings, that are considered to have a certain control on their lives. Sigmund Freud argued that the origin of religions was related to the knowledge humans have of their own future death. Man is the only animal who knows himself to be mortal.

Project

Working in teams (3 people max.) or individual research on a Religion and the way they are related to the society in which it is practiced. Your research should include: history (origin and spread), main characters, beliefs, myths, writtings, pillars, life after death, relationship with society and other religions.

Each presentation should include the following:

1. A typed handout/summary sheet for each student in the class. (These must be passed 2 days in prior to the presentation, or be photocopied by you, and distributed the day of the presentation). Be creative with this handout.

2. A visual (a short powerpoint, a painting, an awesome poster)

3. An oral presentation stressing the significance of your Religion and its relationship with society.

4. An interactive component – (you are asked to engage the class in some sort of personal reflection with the material and that you can assess)

Make your topic come alive by using:

Debate, role play, costumes, newscast, music, video, movie/video clips (burned to DVD or on a flash drive), interview, games, computer.

You can choose from the following list (or bring your religion of your interest, but just get it approved by me before starting).

Christianity

Islam

Judaism

Hinduism

Buddhism

Mormonism

Jehovah's Witnesses

Scientology

Christian Science

(Atheism, Agnosticism).