Religion in North America (SU17)

Course Description 

A survey of religion in North America from European settlement to the present. We’ll examine the plight of immigrants in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, discuss how urbanization and industrialization recast social norms, gender roles, and religious ideology, and chart the emergence of evangelicalism as a political movement late in the twentieth century.

Learning Style & Expectations

This course combines lectures with discussions based on the readings, so it will be essential that you come to class having done the assigned readings and prepared to contribute to class discussions. 

Textbooks

Butler, Jon; Grant Wacker; and Randall Balmer. Religion in American Life: A Short History.  2d ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-19-983269-9.

Grading 

In addition to attendance and informed participation in class discussions, you will be given a mid-term and final examination (70 points each). The final assignment (55 points) is a review (6-8 pages) of a book relevant to religion in North America (due August 8). In addition, you will present on one of the utopian communities in North America, accompanied with a 2-3 page summary.

I have posted samples of book reviews along with the assignment on Canvas. 

Office Hours

Office hours are before class on Tuesdays and Thursdays (311 Thornton Hall), and by appointment.

Course Policies