• Gauthier François

• Gauthier François

Secularization is one of the fundamental ideas of modernity and a founding principle of the social sciences. It is coextensive with the idea of a differentiation of social spheres as a result of rationalization and modernization, and signifies the emergence of a clear distinction between religion and other spheres, particularly politics, grouped under the label "secular". The question of secularization, otherwise known as disenchantment, is at the heart of the sociology of the founding fathers, led by Durkheim and Weber, but the tradition goes back at least as far as the Enlightenment, via Marx of course. This Master's seminar will take the form of a semester of readings of important and stereotypical texts, mainly from sociology, but not only, with a focus on the second half of the twentieth century up to the present day. Indeed, almost all sociology of religion during this period has been subsumed under the banner of secularization theory. The seminar will also be an opportunity to delve into some sometimes salty debates!

Content: acquisition of fundamental content on the theme of secularization and, beyond that, on the foundations of the social sciences.

Skills: reading comprehension, critical reflection and synthesis.