Immigrants became Muslims is a well-known observation in migration research which describes new social perceptions and the (re-)entry of religion-related topics into migration research. The seminar provides an overview of current research in the sociology of migration and in the sociology of religion combining these two fields. An important research question is how religion and religiosity influence the integration and positioning of immigrants and their descendants in the host society: Do religion and religiosity provide immigrants in Europe and North America with an impetus for or against integration? Under what conditions do (ascribed) religion and religiosity lead to rejection or discrimination by non-immigrants? Does religiosity increase among immigrants in response to experienced rejection? In addition, the seminar will address international differences and changes in the institutional integration of immigrant religious minorities. For example, the seminar will discuss what claims immigrant religious minorities formulate, what rights they receive from the state, and how these granted or denied rights affect their social integration and religiosity. Research questions from the sociology of religion, which sees migration primarily as a factor for religious change in modernity, are also addressed. Although the existing literature on immigration to Europe is strongly focused on Islam, the class will try to also bring other religious groups into view.
- Lehrende/r: Ines Michalowski