RELS 145 Introduction to American Religion
For this introductory course, we will utilize the themes of myth and ritual to guide us through a historical survey of religion in America. Focusing on the United States with some broader geographical considerations, we will ask: how have people come to understand religious/spiritual narratives and practices, especially in regard to (re-)enforcing and/or challenging social authority? Why does religion remain an enduring human phenomena, especially in the American context? We will seek to answer these questions by closely examining important themes in conjunction with their social(/historical) time periods, including but not limited to: Indigenous spiritualities and epistemologies, the rise of Protestant Christianity as the dominant religious tradition, and growth of new religious movements. Throughout the course, we will consider how religion intersects with various social constructs including race, gender and class in order to learn how religion continues as a site of liberation and oppression. As major parts of their course assessment, students will have the opportunity to apply what they learned through zine-making that illustrates an original research project.
Core Requirements Met
- United States Diversity
- Pre-1800