COURSE OBJECTIVES AND CONTENT 

This readings seminar offers history majors and non-majors a broad knowledge of religion and American culture from the pre-colonial period to the present.  Special attention will be given to the work of historians, filmmakers, religious studies scholars, anthropologists, and sociologists who grapple with the complexities of American religious life.  This course will pay close attention to the wide-ranging religious diversity of America—from 19th century Lakota spiritualism to 20th century Catholic devotion; from modern serpent-handling Appalachian pentecostals to covenant-making early American Puritans. It will also zero in on the conflicts and divisions that have shaped American religious history.  Some topics to be covered include: the religious dimensions of gender and sexuality, race and religion, the development of a distinctively American theology, and the recent fusion of religion and politics.

* Jon Butler, Grant Wacker, and Randall Balmer, Religion in American Life: A Short History (Oxford University Press, 2007).

* Randall Stephens, Recent Themes in American Religious History: Historians in Conversation (University of South Carolina Press, 2009).

* Robert Alter, Pen of Iron: American Prose and the King James Bible (Princeton University Press, 2010).

* Harold Frederic, The Damnation of Theron Ware: Or Illumination (1896; Penguin Classics, 1986. Available in full on Google Books).

* Additional reading to be handed out in class or posted to this page

Students will be evaluated on how well they identify and critique the significance events, terms, and individuals covered and on the basis of their reading, writing, and thinking skills.  You must read every assignment and come prepared to discuss these in class.  Since this is designed as a seminar/discussion course, your participation will be critical.  Always be prepared; I may call upon you at any time. While going over each week’s assignment, identify the major themes, challenge or affirm the key arguments, and offer a clear analysis of the material covered.  Those who fail to keep up with the reading will do poorly in this course. Participation and attendance is absolutely mandatory for each individual in this class and will figure largely into your overall grade.  (Obviously, if you don’t attend or read the assignments, you cannot participate.) Two tests will be administered over the semester involving short answer questions and essays.  In addition, unannounced pop quizzes may be administered occasionally at the beginning of class.  These quizzes will cover the most recent reading assignments and our in-class discussions.  Those who arrive late or fail to attend class will not be allowed to retake quizzes or tests, unless, of course, a written medical excuse can be provided.

In addition to a satisfactory evaluation of this work based on content, you are expected to demonstrate competence in writing, argumentation, and English composition and grammar. You must submit a total of 8, 1.5 to 2 page double-spaced, typed answers to discussion questions posted on-line.  These will be graded on a scale of 1-10 points.  Students will also review either Robert Alter, Pen of Iron: American Prose and the King James Bible or Harold Frederic, The Damnation of Theron Ware: Or Illumination.  This review must be typed, 2 pages long, and double-spaced.  They will be graded on a scale of 1-100. 

Students will also write one major research paper.  You may choose to write either an 8-10 page paper reviewing some aspect of the historical literature or an 8-10 page primary source research paper.  (A bibliography and abstract is required.)  I will offer guidance and suggestions on your topics.  Each student will present his/her final research at the end of the course.

Students are encouraged to attend lectures on American religious history topics in the Boston area.  Extra credit points will be given to those who do so and turn in a 2-page summary of the talk.  A number of lectures will be listed on the history department website.

Finally, a note on proper behavior and academic honesty.  Talking with fellow classmates, eating, doing other work, reading newspapers, leaving cell phones on, walking out early or arriving late all reflect poorly on you as a student and will hurt your overall grade.  Cheating and plagiarism are even worse and will not be tolerated.  Be advised: ANY instance of cheating on tests, essays, or other assignments will result in immediate failure of the course. For more on this fascinating topic, please refer to the ENC history dept. guidelines concerning academic honesty.  Those who are guilty will be caught.  Incriminating evidence is only a Google™ search away.