HONOR 4790 - American Religions

Religion in America is a complex and vibrant phenomenon that influences every aspect of American life and culture. This advanced undergraduate course examines three major religious traditions in the United States. We first explore the history of American Christianity by focusing on Protestants. Then we discover indigenous value systems through studying the Kiowa, and at the end of the course we discuss the unique beliefs and rituals of immigrants by concentrating on Muslim communities. We will study how religion has shaped American society and culture as well as how that society shapes religion. This course assumes that religion, like all human expressions, changes over time and so the course uses a historical methodology. The course focuses on “lived religion”--how real people live out their beliefs and how their actions influence economics, family life, politics, and entertainment.