RELIGION IN AMERICA: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Religious Studies 301

Fall 2005

Professor: John K. Simmons

Office hours: Tuesday & Thursday: 11:00-12:15pm & 2:00-3:00pm; Wednesday: 12:00-1:30pm, and by appointment

Email: j-simmons@wiu.edu

Office: Morgan Hall, Room 412; phone = (309) 298-1284

Department office: Morgan Hall, Room 456; phone = (309) 298-1057

Class meets: Tuesday/Thursday 12:30-1:45pm in Morgan Hall 230

Web site: http://www.wiu.edu/users/mfjks

SYLLABUS

Course description:

Religion in America: A Historical Perspective is a comprehensive analysis of religion in American history. The historical sweep of the class is dynamic, taking the student from colonial times to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on America with regular reflections on the present status of religion in this nation. The course is purposely designed to correct an egregious error in the typical, college-level presentation of American history – the absence of religion from the grand saga. In Religion in America: A Historical Perspective, students find that religion is an integral part of the development of the United States of America. In fact, it is impossible to understand the historical complexities of this nation without picturing religion as a major player in that drama.

The story of the United States is the story of the inseparable relationship between religion and power. Religion is the collective expression of an idyllic human vision or worldview. It is the creative description of how life should be. Power, expressed primarily in political activity though sometimes in violence, represents the natural human quest to see that ideal vision realized in the sociocultural arena.

Religion in its most fundamental form is about expansion, transcendence, transformation, and change. Power, on the other hand, is about control, self-assertion, structure, and the setting forth of boundaries. The dynamic relationship between these two complementary cultural forces is sometimes sublime, more often frightening, but always fascinating. Though the semester-length inquiry concerns American religious history, what Religion in America: A Historical Perspective really offers is an exploration of the most primal elements in human cultural experience.

But what a history and what a story! Not only is the United States, today, the most religious of all the industrialized nations (9 out of 10 people claim to be religious in one form or another), it is the most religiously diverse. Yet most U.S. citizens, unaware of how volatile the mixture of religion and power can be, consider this nation to be a given, as though by some divine mandate these 50 states will always be united.

Not necessarily so! As the terrorist attacks on the nation have made brutally evident, the United States of America is vulnerable. Countries are very much like people in that stability and unity, i.e. wholeness and health, are grounded in the skillful handling of the natural tension between personal ideals and social reality. As part of the chronological exploration of America’s religious history, we will put the United States on the psychoanalyst’s couch and ask her a key question: “How have you survived for over 200 years as a reasonably stable political entity when from the outset you boldly embraced religious freedom and, thus, became incredibly diverse in religious expressions?”

Rationale:

Why take a course in American religious history? One obvious reason is to fully understand the ongoing social transformation following the tragedy of September 11, 2001. Where once the topic of religion was relegated to the private sphere, spiritual discourse is omnipresent as American citizens look to their religious roots in order to make sense of the heinous attack by religion-inspired terrorists. How are students to understand the cultural tensions they face in the present if they are unaware of the power of religion in their shared heritage? Though admittedly controversial and challenging, religion has been both a significant and crucial part of this heritage. Thus, exploration of the role of religion is as important and legitimate as any other aspect of this nation’s past. Students taking this course will be better informed about the place of religion and the need for religious tolerance in the pluralistic society of the United States of America.

The primary educational goal of Religion in America: A Historical Perspective is to acquaint students with the key theological, political, and cultural ideas that motivated real people in American history to meet sometimes overwhelming challenges and overcome insurmountable obstacles. In doing so, women and men created a nation that was, is, and continues to be a most extraordinary expression of the human capacity, will, and drive to become civilized and live in freedom.

Expected Student Outcomes:

At the end of Religion in America: A Historical Perspective, students should be able to:

· Identify key people, places, and events in American history

· Understand the complex relationship and ongoing compromises between religious ideals and social/political realities

· Identify the religiopolitical culture core of the nation and comprehend the impact of religion on the nation’s self-understanding

· Explain the political and constitutional roots of religious freedom

· Understand how religious revivalism and Awakenings acted as a cultural catalyst in determining the course of events in American history

· Acquire an understanding of and appreciation for religious diversity

Required texts:

Corrigan, John and Winthrop S. Hudson (2004) Religion in America, Seventh Edition Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall.

Simmons, John K. (2003). Religion in America: A Historical Perspective: Teleclass Study Guide. Macomb, IL: Western Illinois University

Recommended texts:

Carmody, Denise, and Carmody, John. (1990). Exploring American Religion. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Press.

Eck, Dianna L. (2002). A New Religious America. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco.

Fuller, Robert C. (2001) Spiritual but not Religious. NY: Oxford University Press.

McLoughlin, William. (1978). Revivals, Awakenings, and Reform. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Porterfield, Amanda. (2001). The Transformation of American Religion. NY: Oxford University Press.

Course Structure with Quizzes and Exams:

Segment 1: Introductory Themes and an Overview of Religion in America, Today

Approximate length of segment = 3 weeks

Quiz #1 = 25 points (multiple choice questions)

Segment 2: The Colonial Period/Cultures in Conflict

Approximate length of segment = 2 weeks

Quiz #2 = 25 points (multiple choice questions)

Segment 3: The First Great Awakening and the Making of a New Nation

Approximate length of segment = 4 weeks

Midterm examination = 50 points (see exam description below)

Segment 4: Second Awakening, Civil War, America Diversifies

Approximate length of segment = 3 weeks

Quiz #3 = 25 points (multiple choice questions)

Segment 5: Third Awakening, 20^th Century Changes, the “Fourth Awakening,” 9/11

Approximate length of segment = 3 weeks

Final examination = 75 points (see exam description below)

Examination Description/Format

Quizzes: the three quizzes will consist of 25 multiple choice questions worth one point each for a possible quiz total of 25 points.

Midterm examination:

1. In-class part of the exam: on the day of the exam, we will have 20 computer-graded multiple choice questions worth 1 point each and 8 short answer identifications (you pick 5) worth 2 points each for an in-class exam total of 30 possible points (please bring a #2 pencil to the exams). A review sheet will be handed out at least one week before the exam.

2. Take home essay: included in the review sheet to be handed out a week before the exam will be an essay question. You can write the essay – open book, open notes – on your own, then bring the essay to the exam. It will probably take 3 to 4 pages to answer the essay question, roughly 7 to 8 paragraphs, 500-600 words. You are always welcome to expand further should you be so moved! The essays may be typed or handwritten, though double-spaced typing is preferred. Each exam will be worth 20 points for an exam total of 50 possible points.

Please note! The take home essay must be turned in to me at the exam on the day of the exam. A 2.5 point penalty will be assigned to any essay turned in after the class period ends on the date of the examination.

Final examination: the final exam will follow the same format as the midterm, including an in-class portion of the exam and a take home essay that must be handed in at the final. However, for the final exam, you will have 35 multiple choice questions (worth one point each) and 20 short answer identifications, you choose any 10 (worth 2 points each). With the addition of the take home essay (worth 20 points), the point total for the final exam is 75 points.

Total Possible Course Points Breakdown:

3 quizzes X 25 points = 75 points

Midterm exam = 50 points

Final exam = 75 points

200 possible points

Course Grading Scale:

180 - 200 points = A

160 - 179 points = B

140 - 159 points = C

120 - 139 points = D

0 – 119 points = F

RELIGIOUS STUDIES 301 CLASS CONTRACT

Attendance Policy:

Attendance is required. The following attendance policy will be enforced starting the second week of classes; a sign-in attendance sheet (your signature and last four digits of your student ID#) will be passed around at the beginning of each class period:

5 unexcused absences = no penalty.

6^th unexcused absence = email warning

7 – 9 unexcused absences = 2 points off your final point total (out of 200 possible points) per absence

10^th unexcused absence = email warning + additional 2 point deduction

11^th unexcused absence = full grade deduction; examples, B to C; C to D; D to F

15^th unexcused absence = email warning

16^th unexcused absence = F for the course regardless of points earned.

Classroom behavior:

Civility means behaving respectfully towards everyone during our class sessions, including other students, the occasional guest, and your instructor. Questions and comments, relevant to the topic of the day, are heartily welcomed. However, private conversations that disturb other class members are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Please come to class ready to focus on the religion in America. Take care of any business you might have with a classmate before or after class.

Try to arrive on time, and, if you must leave before the end of the class session, it is appropriate to let the instructor know. Wandering in and out of class is highly distracting to other students and the instructor. Try to resist the urge to shuffle books and papers at the conclusion of class. It is often during the last minutes of class that important concluding points are made.

This is a "self-policing" classroom. If someone is disturbing your concentration by talking during lecture, video presentations or discussion, you have every right to politely tell them to be quiet.

Please be civil and caring towards your classmates. We’re here, together, to learn and explore one of the most powerful subject areas in all of human history. Welcome, one and all!

Academic dishonesty: Please do not attempt to cheat on examinations. If caught, you will receive a grade of F for the examination in question, which means it is highly unlikely that you will pass this course. Honesty IS the best policy!

Enjoy the Journey!

RELIGIOUS STUDIES 301 CLASS CONTRACT

Attendance Policy:

Attendance is required. The following attendance policy will be enforced starting the third week of classes; a sign-in attendance sheet (your signature and last four digits of your student ID#) will be passed around at the beginning of each class period:

5 unexcused absences = no penalty.

6^th unexcused absence = email warning

7 – 9 unexcused absences = 2 points off your final point total (out of 200 possible points) per absence

10^th unexcused absence = email warning + additional 2 point deduction

11^th unexcused absence = full grade deduction; examples, B to C; C to D; D to F

15^th unexcused absence = email warning

16^th unexcused absence = F for the course regardless of points earned.

Classroom behavior:

Civility means behaving respectfully towards everyone during our class sessions, including other students, the occasional guest, and your instructor. Questions and comments, relevant to the topic of the day, are heartily welcomed. However, private conversations that disturb other class members are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Please come to class ready to focus on the religious studies. Take care of any business you might have with a classmate before or after class.

This is a "self-policing" classroom. If someone is disturbing your concentration by talking during lecture, video presentations or discussion, you have every right to politely tell them to be quiet.

Please be civil and caring towards your classmates. We’re here, together, to learn and explore one of the most powerful subject areas in all of human history. Welcome, one and all!

I have read and understand this contract:

Please sign: _____________________________________.