The American Way of Religion
Instructor: John A. Dick
Offered: First semester
Course description:
This course will survey the religious history and religious evolution of the people of the United States from the seventeenth century to the present day. Students will acquire a clear sense of the role religion has played in the development of American culture and values. Specifically, the course will address the image of America as the new Promised Land, trace the development of the made-in-America Calvinist ethic, consider the rise of American civil religion, and analyze the function of religion in American society as ‘social glue’. The course is divided into four parts organized around constituent sub-themes. In Part One, “God and the American Colonies”, we will cover (i) the European roots of American Christianity, (ii) the practice of religion in colonial America, and (iii) religion and the birth of the Republic. In Part Two, “From the American Revolution to the Civil War”, we will address (i)religion in the age of revolution and (ii) the immigrant churches. In Part Three, “From Christendom to Pluralism”, we will consider (i) new American religions, (ii) religion beyond the walls of Anglo-Saxon Zion, and (iii) World War I and the Roaring Twenties. In Part Four, “Religion in a Secular Age”, our survey will cover (i) religion from the Great Depression to World War II, (ii) World War II and the post-war revival, (iii) the 1960s, and (iv) Vietnam to Barack Obama.
Teaching method: Lectures and class discussions with handouts.
Evaluation: Oral or written final exam based on prompt distributed at final class meeting (100%).
Course materials: Course reader.
Offered: First semester
Course description:
This course will survey the religious history and religious evolution of the people of the United States from the seventeenth century to the present day. Students will acquire a clear sense of the role religion has played in the development of American culture and values. Specifically, the course will address the image of America as the new Promised Land, trace the development of the made-in-America Calvinist ethic, consider the rise of American civil religion, and analyze the function of religion in American society as ‘social glue’. The course is divided into four parts organized around constituent sub-themes. In Part One, “God and the American Colonies”, we will cover (i) the European roots of American Christianity, (ii) the practice of religion in colonial America, and (iii) religion and the birth of the Republic. In Part Two, “From the American Revolution to the Civil War”, we will address (i)religion in the age of revolution and (ii) the immigrant churches. In Part Three, “From Christendom to Pluralism”, we will consider (i) new American religions, (ii) religion beyond the walls of Anglo-Saxon Zion, and (iii) World War I and the Roaring Twenties. In Part Four, “Religion in a Secular Age”, our survey will cover (i) religion from the Great Depression to World War II, (ii) World War II and the post-war revival, (iii) the 1960s, and (iv) Vietnam to Barack Obama.
Teaching method: Lectures and class discussions with handouts.
Evaluation: Oral or written final exam based on prompt distributed at final class meeting (100%).
Course materials: Course reader.
