Section three looks at how religious groups have tried to come to grips with the contemporary American society. It will cover a number of different responses, from the positive thinking of Norman Vincent Peale to the evangelical revivals of Oral Roberts and Billy Graham, to the social and political activism of Martin Luther King and Jerry Falwell. The role of newer personality cults will also be explored. The course will be conducted in a lecture format with large blocks for discussion. Films and research projects will round out the offering.
Class meets once per week.
Introduction to Buddhism. Religion 202 or equivalent. See Buddhist Studies 320. Hellenism, Judaism and Early Christianity. Religion 201 or equivalent.