Due to the First Amendment, which grants freedom of religion , there is a diversity of religious beliefs and practices in the U.S.

Religion in the United States is characterized by both a wide diversity in religious beliefs and practices and by a high adherence level.

Christianity is the largest religion in the United States, with around 77% of the population identifying itself as Christian.

Ecumenism mainly refers to initiatives aimed at creating greater Christian unity or cooperation.

Religion plays a “very important” role in the lives of most Americans; a proportion unique among developed nations

Most modern Western societies are recognized as secular because they enjoy near-complete freedom of religion.
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Protestantism is one of the major umbrella religions in the U.S., and is constantly evolving in response to political and social changes.

Catholicism has a long history in the U.S., with the Catholic Church the single largest religious denomination
in the United States.

American Jews, also known as Jewish Americans, are American citizens of the Jewish faith or Jewish ethnicity. The Jewish community in the United States is composed predominantly of Ashkenazi Jews who emigrated from Central and Eastern Europe, and their U.S.-born descendants. Minorities from all Jewish ethnic divisions are also represented, including Sephardi Jews, Mizrahi Jews, and a number of converts. The American Jewish community manifests a wide range of Jewish cultural traditions, as well as encompassing the full spectrum of Jewish religious observance.

The American Muslim population is a racially diverse group that has been present in the U.S. since before the Civil War
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There are correlations between the degree of religious belief in society and social factors like mortality rates, wealth and happiness.

The main religious preferences in the Unites States include (in order): Christianity, unaffiliate, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism.

The American LGBTQ Rights Movement: An Introduction is a peer-reviewed chronological survey of the LGBTQ fight for equal rights from the turn of the 20th century to the early 21st century. Illustrated with historical photographs, the book beautifully reveals the heroic people and key events that shaped the American LGBTQ rights movement. The book includes personal narratives to capture the lived experience from each era, as well as details of essential organizations, texts, and court cases that defined LGBTQ activism and advocacy.

The book is supported by discussion of relevant theory and research in cultural sociology.Beyond Race: Cultural Influences on Human Social Life has stressed learner-centered teaching with the instructor taking on the role of a facilitator of learning. As such, it is expected the instructor will serve as the mediator between the content of this book and learners’ understanding of material on multiple and higher levels. This book does not offer a set of rules in teaching cultural sociology, but rather suggests content and applications to consider and modify as needed by the ever-changing dynamics of instructors and learners.

Over the years researchers have found the necessity to develop theories of behavior that are specific to family settings. These theories have been developed by people with a variety of areas of emphasis, from family therapists to gerontologists to child development specialists. In this chapter we will briefly discuss six such theories: Bioecological Model, Family Systems, Functionalism, Conflict Theory, Symbolic Interactionism, and Psychological Perspectives.

There are a few major themes that come up over and over again during the course of classical sociological theory’s development. All three classical theorists were writing at a time when sociology was a new and emerging discipline. This new discipline was called forth by momentous social changes taking place in European (and American) society during this time period. These changes were related to the rise of capitalism, industrialization, and new political representation for the majority of people (or, at least, a desire for such by many). Calls for socialism emerged as a response to recognition of new social divisions. Each of the three theorists you will read here weighed in on these historical changes, theorizing the contours and dynamics of this new “modern” society.

Presents readings, case studies, and assignments related to dress, appearance, and diversity in social contexts. Topics include honesty, social justice, culture, subculture and group membership, fashion theories, sex and gender, sexuality, physical attractiveness, disability, religion, and race and ethnicity.

Immigrant and Refugee Families: Global Perspectives on Displacement and Resettlement Experiences uses a family systems lens to discuss challenges and strengths of immigrant and refugee families in the United States. Chapters address immigration policy, human rights issues, economic stress, mental health and traumatic stress, domestic violence, substance abuse, family resilience, and methods of integration.

Immigrant and Refugee Families: Global Perspectives on Displacement and Resettlement Experiences uses a family systems lens to discuss challenges and strengths of immigrant and refugee families in the United States. Chapters address immigration policy, human rights issues, economic stress, mental health and traumatic stress, domestic violence, substance abuse, family resilience, and methods of integration.

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1: Immigration and Immigrant Policy: Barriers and Opportunities for Families
Chapter 2: From There to Here: The Journey of Refugee Families to the United States
Chapter 3: Human Rights
Chapter 4: Economic Well-Being, Supports and Barriers
Chapter 5: Mental Health
Chapter 6: Intimate Partner Violence among Immigrants and Refugees
Chapter 7: Substance Abuse
Chapter 8: Resilience in Immigrant and Refugee Families
Chapter 9: Embracing a New Home: Resettlement Research and the Family
Chapter 10: Conclusion

International student exchanges are an increasingly popular aspect of the internationalisation of higher education around the globe. Whether as short-term mobility projects or semester long ‘study abroad’ opportunities, the benefits of such international study experiences have been well documented.

Higher education institutions, departments and disciplines, or individual academics are often tasked with preparing students for such international experiences. Such preparation often focuses on the practical and logistical aspects of student travel, overlooking a crucial dimension of student learning.

Intercultural learning: Critical preparation for international student travel aims to take students beyond practical preparation, to equip them with a critical lens through which to view and understand their international experiences. The book leads students toward a deeper understanding of culture and cultural difference through an exploration of challenging concepts such as imperialism, racism, privilege and intercultural practice.

As an adjunct to traditional approaches, the book adds a significant and valuable dimension to the process of preparing students for international study, increasing the potential for meaningful and transformative learning experiences.