R E L I G I O N A N D P U B L I C H E A L T H

SOC 534

This course will provide master’s and doctoral level students with an interdisciplinary

survey of research and writing on the public health implications of religious practices,

beliefs, and institutions. The course will emphasize evidence from quantitative social

science and epidemiology and the role of religion in the historical development of public

health institutions to identify religion’s role as a social determinant of health.

The relationship between religion and public health may be thought of in two distinct ways

that are of equal interest to social science. Religion, or more properly, “religions” make

up an array of social institutions found in all human societies; these institutions use

symbols, rituals, or practices to evoke a connection with a state that transcends daily life.

Similarly, health care systems may properly be thought of in the plural sense; they take

on some institutionalized form in every society in response to the universal human

problem of illness, and similarly carry the weight of an institution that addresses ultimate

issues of life and death. Religion and public health are related in one sense because

religion is a factor among many others in the social environment that determine the health

of populations. And second, religion has a role in the ways that health care systems are

organized to care for individuals, families, and communities.

Research paper :

Each student is required to work on a research project for this class. You are to do a

scopey review the existing literature on the health consequences of a widespread

religious practice in your chosen faith tradition. Identify unanswered questions for future

research, and propose a study to address them.

Your research should focus on one of the following:

➢ Christian Fasting as the first priority (the period of Christian Holidays: lent, easter,

asceticism, etc.). If I do not find any enough literature to review,

➢ The second choice will be Ramadan fasting.

➢ Based on the design of the course as religion and health, your research must

connect “Fasting” to health and not just fasting. The paper should connect to

health because the course is about “Religion as a Social Determinant of Health.”

So, you need to use scholarship resources on fasting and health.

Few important things to take note of:

Paper presentations:

Prepare to deliver a 12-15 minute presentation of your paper as you might for a

conference or job interview. Be prepared for questions. These presentations will take

place on April 18, 2022.

Final paper:

Final papers should be 18-20 pages in length, double-spaced, 11-12 point font,

including references. Incorporate suggestions from previous drafts and in-class

presentation. There is no requirement to hand in a rough draft of your paper, but I am

happy to read and discuss your work while it is in progress. The final paper is due

April 22, 2022.

SOME RESOURCE TO CONSIDER

1. The Impact of Religious Fasting on Human Health

Link: 1475-2891-9-57.pdf

file:///C:/Users/Sam%20&%20Veronica/Desktop/SPRING%202022/SOC%20534/

ASSIGNMENTS/1475-2891-9-57.pdf

2. Fasting and Eating for Health.

Link: Fasting and Eating for Health A Medical Doctors Program for Conquering Disease by Joel

Fuhrman, Neal D. Barnard, M.D. (z-lib.org).mobi.pdf

Fasting and Eating for Health A Medical Doctors Program for Conquering Disease by Joel

Fuhrman, M.D. (z-lib.org).pdf

3. Juice Fasting and Detoxification.

Link:

file:///C:/Users/Sam%20&%20Veronica/Desktop/SPRING~1/SOC534~1/ASSIGN~1/BUUKSF~1/JU

ICEF~1.PDF

4. Water Fasting for wellness

Link: Water Fasting For Wellness How To Start Your Very Own Water Fast For Optimal Health,

Wellness and Longevity by Naturopath Jen (z-lib.org).epub.pdf

5. Life in The Fasting Lane

Link: LIFEIN~1.PDF

file:///C:/Users/Sam%20&%20Veronica/Desktop/SPRING~1/SOC534~1/ASSIGN

~1/BUUKSF~1/LIFEIN~1.PDF

6. Dash Diet for Beginner

Link:

file:///C:/Users/Sam%20&%20Veronica/Desktop/SPRING~1/SOC534~1/ASSIGN

~1/BUUKSF~1/DASHDI~1.PDF

7. The Fast 800

Link: The Fast 800 How to Combine Rapid Weight Loss and Intermittent Fasting for Long-Term

Health by Dr. Michael Mosley (z-lib.org).epub.pdf

8. The Miracle of Fasting

Link: The miracle of fasting proven through history for physical, mental and spiritual

rejuvenation by Dr. Paul C. Bragg, Dr. Patricia Bragg (z-lib.org).pdf