UNIVERSITY OF ST. FRANCIS

 

THEO 315 Y:  RELIGION IN AMERICA

4 Semester Hours

January 9—April 27, 2005

 

Syllabus

 

 

 

Course Description:

Through a consideration and analysis of the history of the United States and the unique experiences of the various churches, religious movements, and religious-philosophical movements within the United States, this course explores the unique character of the American religious experience and examines America’s pluralistic religious tradition.  Special attention will be given to the current religious issues in America.

 

Course Objectives:

A.                 To discuss major religious traditions and movements in the United States.

B.                 To analyze major themes in the religious history of the United States.

C.                 To describe and discuss the relationships between religion and political life in the United States.

D.                To discuss religious issues involved in contemporary American life and society.

E.                 To analyze and value a variety of religious viewpoints in America today.

F.                  To demonstrate critical thinking and communication skills in the context of Religion in America.

G.                To prepare and analyze an approved topic, through an in-depth inquiry of the topic.  (Independent Study Component)

 

Independent Study Component:

Courses offered in the Health Arts Program are designated as upper division and are also 4 semester hours of credit.  Consequently, the Independent Study Component becomes an integral part of the Health Arts courses that adds both breadth and depth to each course.  It distinguishes those courses taken in the Health Arts Program from ones that have similar titles but are lower division and also from those that are three semester hours of credit.

 

The general guidelines for the Independent Study Component are:

 

·        The Independent Study Component is 25 percent of the overall course grade and represents at least 16-hours of additional work completed over and above the assignments required for a typical 3 semester course.

·        It should contain a research component and/or analytical paper.  Emphasis should be placed on analysis, synthesis, interpretation of material, and application.

·        The ISC will be 15-pages in length, double-spaced, 1-inch margins, 12-font, and must reference all resources used within the body of the paper and include a bibliography at the end.

·        It is reflected in the instructor’s syllabus as the Independent Study Component.

 

For students in Religion in America, you may mail, fax, or e-mail your assignments to me.  Your work must be postmarked by the end of the week of that particular week.  Each of the weekly assignments will be 500-words in length (approximately 2-pages). 

 

Course Content:

Week 1           January 9th       Studying and Describing Religion

Week 2           January 16th     Religion in the Life of the United States

Week 3           January 23rd     Conflict and Controversy

Week 4           January 30th     Protestant Christians and Denominational Protestantism

Week 5           February 6th      Diverse Themes in American Christianity

Week 6           February 13th  Catholic Christians

Week 7           February 20th  Ethnic Diversity in Christianity

Week 8           February 27th  Midterm

Week 9           March 6th  American-Born Christianity

Week 10         March 13th  Living a Jewish Life in the United States

Week 11         March 20th  Humanism and the Unitarian Universalists

Week 12         March 27th  Muslims in the United States

Week 13         April 3rd  Hindus and Buddhists

Week 14         April 10th  ISC due by April 15th

Week 15         April 17th  Other Religious and Spiritual Movements

Week 16         April 24th  Final Exam

 

Required Text:

Hemeyer, Julia Corbett, Religion in America, 5th Edition, Prentice-Hall, 2006.

 

Textbooks and List of Other Resources:

Ahlstrom, Sydney E., A Religious History of the American People, 2 vols., Yale         University Press, 1972.

 

Albanese, Catherine L., America Religious and Religion, 2nd ed., Wadsworth, 1992.

 

Bedell, George C., Sandon, Jr., Leo, and Wellborn, Charles T., Religion in America, 2nd ed., Macmillan, 1982.

 

Carmody, Denise and Carmody, John, Exploring American Religion, Mayfield Publishing Co., 1990.

 

Corbett, Julia M., Religion in America, 3rd ed., Prentice Hall, 1997.

 

Gaustad, Edwin Scott, A Religious History of America, New Revised Edition, Harper Collins, 1990.

 

Handy, Robert T., A Christian America:  Protestant Hopes and Historical Realities, 2nd ed., Oxford University Press, 1984.

 

Hudson, Winthrop and Corrigan, John, Religion in America, 5th ed., Macmillan, 1992.

 

Kosmin, Barry A. and Lachman, Seymour P., One Nation Under God:  Religion in Contemporary American Society, Crown Publishers, 1993.

 

Marsden, George M., Religion and American Culture, Harcourt Brace, 1990.

 

Marty, Martin E., Pilgrims in Their Own Land:  500 Years of Religion in America, Penguin Books, 1984.

 

Marty, Martin E., A Short History of American Catholicism, Thomas More-Tabor Publishing, 1995.

 

Noll, Mark A., ed., Religion and American Politics:  From the Colonial Period to the 1980’s, Oxford University Press, 1990.

 

Wuthnow, Robert, Christianity in the 21st Century:  Reflections on the Challenges Ahead, Oxford University Press, 1993.

 

Wuthnow, Robert, The Restructuring of American Religion:  Society and Faith Since World War II, Princeton University Press, 1988.

 

Grades:

            1.  Weekly Papers                                        25% of grade

            2.  Independent Study Component           25% of grade

            3.  Midterm                                                  25% of grade

            4.  Final                                                         25% of grade

 

Statement of Academic Integrity:

Students have an obligation to exhibit honesty in carrying out their academic assignments.  Students may be found to have violated this obligation if they plagiarize or cheat.  Plagiarism is presenting the work of others as one’s own; cheating is taking, giving, or accepting any illicit advantage for any course work inside or outside of the classroom. 

 

ADA Statement:

All students with disabilities who need accommodations should alert your instructor within the first week of school and contact the Disabilities Coordinator, Pat Vivio in the Office of Disability Services, Room S210.  She can be reached by email (pvivio@stfrancis.edu) or phone (815) 740-3204.

 

USF Mission Statement:
As a Catholic university rooted in the liberal arts, we are a welcoming community of learner challenged by Franciscan values and charism, engaged in a continuous pursuit of knowledge, faith, wisdom, and justice, and ever mindful of a tradition that emphasizes reverence for creation, compassion, and peacemaking.  We strive for academic excellence in all programs, preparing women and men to contribute to the world through service and leadership.

 

Accessibility:

I look forward to teaching this class.  If you need anything or have any problem, the following information will provide you with access to assistance.  Please feel free to contact me whenever necessary.

 

Dr. Al Campbell
8355 Doubletree Drive North

Crown Point, IN 46307

cell (219) 928-5598

(219) 942-5595

fax (219) 942-1315

campbell@wolverton-mountain.com

www.wolverton-mountain.com