Department of Religious Studies

This course will introduce students to the cultural and social conditions of religion in American life. Through reading primary and secondary sources, we will interrogate analytical frameworks such as belief, secularism, capitalism, practice, civil discourse, and communitarianism from the eighteenth century through the present day. With an eye toward American engagement on the global stage, we also will engage questions such as, how does religion cross national lines? Where do the private and public intersect? What is “America,” and what is “religion?” What is American religion? Can it be globalized? All readings will be in English or English translation.

Credits: GenEd A&H, CASE A&H, CASE DUS

Instructor: Ellen Loucks