Cults, Crosses, & Colonialism: Religion in America

Catalog description

Examination of the history and impact of different religious traditions in America from the colonial period to the present. Emphasizes the impact of those traditions on the historical development of American society, politics, and culture. Religious traditions in America surveyed may include: religious beliefs and practices of native and/or indigenous peoples; mainstream religions, such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism; and new American sects or movements, such as Mormonism, American evangelicalism, Christian Science, Pentecostalism, Nation of Islam, Scientology, and Satanism. Attention directed toward topics such as slavery and religion, religion and gender, immigration and industrialization, religious freedom, and race and ethnicity in American culture. Course requires participant observation in different religious settings. 54.00 hours lecture. (Letter grade only)