REL 21.01 Religion and Social Capital
Why are relationships essential? Why does reputation matter? How does trust form, and is there something “sacred” to social bonds? This course explores the concept of social capital and its relevance for understanding religion, culture, and society. We begin by examining what “capital” means when applied to relationships, exploring how social and cultural capital function as resources. We investigate how communities form, trust emerges, and symbolic power is cultivated, asking why such dynamics are often correlated with religion. We also explore concerns about the inequities surrounding access to social capital and its distribution. Through readings in religious studies, sociology, and anthropology, we consider gift exchange, reciprocity, and ritual as practices that forge connection while enforcing boundaries and ask how religious and ethical traditions portray such dynamics in both human and divine relationships.
Instructor
Singh