This course surveys the history of religion in America over the past five hundred years or so. Though we will have occasion to look at some theological shifts, particularly within American Protestantism, our main concern will be with religion in its social, cultural, and political aspects.
Pluralism is the inescapable focal point of any course in American religion.
During the course of the semester we will examine some of the very different ways people have answered these questions. One of the major goals of the course is to help you develop the critical skills that will enable you to evaluate religious themes in popular culture. To this end, we will read only primary sources, including sermons, devotional works, autobiographical narratives, missionary tracts, newspapers, novels, stories, poems, and comics. We will also watch a few movies. Lecture and discussion.