RE 220 – African-American Religious Traditions
Fall 2010
Mrs. Juliann Jane Tillman,
Preacher of the A.M.E. Church
Instructor: Dr. Ivory Lyons, Jr.
Meeting Times: 12 – 12:50, M, W, F
Home: 2333 S. Arch Ave., Alliance
Meeting Place: KHIC 203
Home Phone: (330) 823-6773
Office: Keener House Office 1
email: lyonsil@muc.edu
Office Phone: (330) 823-2469
ivory_lyons@yahoo.com
Office Hours: Office hours: Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 - 2:00 am and on Fridays in
Campus Grounds and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 - 9:00 am in my office. You can
also make an appointment to meet with me or you can drop by my office anytime.
Texts
Afro-American Religious History: A Documentary Witness, ed. By Milton C. Sernett (Durham:
Duke, 1985, 2nd edition)
The Black Church in the African American Experience by C. Eric Lincoln and Lawrence
Mamiya (Durham: Duke University Press, 1990)
Can I Get A Witness?: Prophetic Religious Voices of African American Women: An Anthology,
eds. Marcia Riggs and Barbara Holmes (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1997).
Creole Religions of the Caribbean: An Introduction from Vodou and Santeria to Obeah and
Espiritismo, by Margaritee Fernanadez Olmos and Lizabeth Paravisini-Gebert (NY: New York
University Press, 2003).
Description:
This course presents overviews and analysis of African American religious traditions from their
African roots through the eighteenth century to the present. Particular emphasis will be given
to the development of the thought of African American women and men about appropriate
strategy, philosophy, ethic and theology necessary for the survival, nurture, and enhancement
of their lives. Attention will be given to the socio-historical setting of particular authors, helping
us to investigate why some chose to emphasize "freedom," others "accommodation," and so
forth. African American religious traditions studied this semester will be African religions, Black
Hebrews, Nation of Islam, and various strands of African American Christianity. Authors
studied this semester will include: Maria Stewart, David Walker, Sojourner Truth, Harriet
Tubman, Nat Turner, Frederick Douglass, Alexander Crumwell, Elijah Muhammad, Father
Divine, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesse Jackson, Howard Thurman and James Cone.
Policies:
Attendance: Those who attend all classes generally perform well. Those who do not generally
do not do very well. If a student is absent more than 2 times he or she will lose 10 points for
each absence (excused or unexcused). More than 7 absences will result in a failing grade for
the class.
Academic Honesty: It is expected that you will do you own work and will cite all sources used
for your paper or presentation. Any student caught submitting someone else’s work as his or
her own will be in jeopardy of failing the class. See MUC Catalogue for further details.
Submission: All of the assignments, unless otherwise stated, will be put in a drop box in
ANGEL in Microsoft Word, RTF, ODT or Text format on or before the due date. Papers put in
the drop box after the date may or may not be accepted. If they are graded they will be
reduced by one full letter grade.
Extra Credit: There may be extra credit opportunities throughout the semester. In order to get
extra credit the student must do all of the regular assignments.
Syllabus Changes: The instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus as necessary.
Format and Requirements
1. Reflection/Class Discussion Lead
Students will be required to lead a class discussion on a reading. The discussion will center
around an area or issue raised by the author or it will answer questions posed by the
instructor. More information on this is forthcoming. (25 points)
2. Weekly Quizzes – There will be a weekly quiz on the reading. There will be 12 such
quizzes but each student only has to take 10 of them; each quiz is worth 10 points.
3. Site Visit
The site visit involves an out-of-classroom visit to an African-American church or religious
event. This paper has a minimum of 1000 words, double-spaced, typewritten pages. This
assignment is worth 100 points.
4. Final Project
Each student will be required to contribute an oral or artistic presentation that utilizes the
various themes of African American religious history in a creative and constructive fashion.
The final project is the student’s scholarly or artistic statement addressing a current issue of
concern for African American communities. The topics can include the role of women, the
transmission of religious practices to children, the impact of music on the religious
communities, the history of missionaries, the role symbols play in the community, etc. Students
can do this assignment alone or with other students. (100 points)
5. Final Exam - (100 points)
Grading (minimum)
A 94 A- 90
B+ 87 B 84
B- 80
C+ 77 C 74
C- 70
D+ 67 D 63
F <63
August 30 – Introduction: African Backdrop
Class Notes - Why Presentations?
A brief survey of African history
Slavery: More than a notion
African Resistance
Video: Amistad
Some Key Players
Sept. 6 – Slavery and Religion Meet in the Americas
The Black Church in the African American Experience by C. Eric Lincoln and Lawrence
Mamiya, "The Religious Dimensions: Toward Sociology of Black Churches", ch. 1, pp. 1-19.
Milton Sernett Afro-American Religious History: Equiano, "Traditional Ibo Religion and Culture"
p. 13; Turner, "Religion and Slave Insurrection" p. 89; Douglass, "Slaveholding Religion" p.
102.
Sept. 13 – Forging A New Faith
Same Gospel, Different Experience, The Debate
Sernet: Walker, "Our Wretchedness in Consequence" p. 193.
Sept. 20 – The Soprano Voice
Sernet: Lee, "A Female Preacher" p. 160; Stewart, "Mrs. Stewart’s Farewell" p. 202.
Lincoln and Mamiya, "The Pulpit and the Pew: The Black Church and Women", ch. 10, pp.
274-308
Sept. 27 – Soprano Voices Resonate
Briggs and Holmes Can I Get A Witness?: Prophetic Religious Voices of African American
Women: An Anthology: Elaw, p. 11; Truth, p. 20; Tubman, p. 25; Broughton, p. 31; Foote, p.
52; Wells-Barnett, p. 61.
Oct. 4 – Black Denominations
Baptists, Church of God in Christ (COGIC)
Sernet: Paul, "African Baptists Celebrate" p. 185; Mason, "Bishop C.H. Mason" p. 314;
Catholics, "The First African American" p. 396.
Lincoln and Mamiya, "The Black Baptists: The First Black Churches in America", ch. 2, pp. 2046; "The Pentecostals: The Spiritual Legacy", ch. 4, pp. 76-91.
Oct. 13 – The Black Methodists Experience
African Methodist Episcopal, AME Zion, Christian (Colored) Method Episcopal
Sernet: Allen, "Life Experience and Gospel Labors" p. 139; Holsey, "The Colored Methodist" p.
251. Lincoln and Mamiya, "The Black Methodists: The Institutionalization of Black Religious
Independence", ch. 3, pp. 47-75.
Oct. 18 – Back to Africa
Sernet: Brown, "Black Religion" p. 256; Crummell, "Regeneration of Africa" p. 282; Turner,
"Emigration to Africa" p. 289; Ransom, "The Race Problem" p. 357.
Lincoln and Mamiya, "The New Black Revolution: The Black Consciousness Movement and
the Black Church", ch. 7, pp. 164-195.
Trip to Olivet Institutional Baptist Church (10/24)
Oct. 25 – Non-Christian Groups
Religions of the Caribbean
Creole Religions of the Caribbean: An Introduction from Vodou and Santeria to Obeah and
Espiritismo, by Margaritee Fernanadez Olmos and Lizabeth Paravisini-Gebert, Introduction,
Chapter 1, 2, 4, 6, “Dread History: The African Diaspora, Ethiopianism and Rastafari;
Santeria.htm, Santeria-2.htm, SANTERIA, LA REGLA LUCUMI, and LUKUMI.htm;
Voodoo, Santeria,
Nov. 1 – Non-Christian Groups
Integration vs. Separation
Sernet: Garvey, "Garvey Tells" p. 453; Fischer, "Organized Religion" p. 464;
The Nation of Islam
Sernett: Muhammad, "Self-Government in the New World" p. 453.
Nov. 8 – Non-Christian Groups
Divine, "The Realness of God" p. 478.
Father Divine.htm, Father Divine, Index - FATHER DIVINE, MOTHER DIVINE & The
International Peace Mission Movement.htm; Grace, Bishop Charles Daddy Grace.htm, Af Am
Album Vol_2 -- Places - Grace.htm, Religious Movements Homepage Charles Sweet Daddy
Grace and the United House of Prayer for All People.htm
Nov. 15 - The Power of Black Sound:
Music and the Black Church
Sernet: Jackson, "Singing Good Tidings" p. 536; Higginson, "Slave Songs" p. 112.
Lincoln and Mamiya, "The Performed Word: Music and the Black Church", ch. 12, pp. 346-381.
Various music recordings as assigned
Traditional Black preaching
Dr. S.M. Lockridge
Trip to Masjid (11/19)
Nov. 22 – Black Church on the Move
Final Project Presentations begin
Nov. 23-28 – Thanksgiving Recess
Nov. 29 – A Political Church: Black Theology, Womanist Theology
Alice Walker, Womanist, Gloria Johnson, "Womanist Theology"
Sernet: King, "Letter from a Birmingham" p. 519; Thurman, "The Anatomy of Segregation" p.
548; NCBC "Black Power Statement" p. 555; Cone, "Black Theology and the Black Church" p.
567.
Briggs and Holmes: Barnett, "Lynching" p. 146; Hamer, "Sick and Tired" p. 169; Chisholm,
"The Relationship Between" p. 182.
Lincoln and Mamiya, "'Now Is the Time!' The Black Church, Politics, and Civil Rights Militancy",
ch. 8, pp. 196-235.
Final Project Class Presentations continue
Dec. 6 – New Challenges Facing the Black Church
Lincoln and Mamiya, "The Black Church and the Twenty-First Century: Challenges to the Black
Church", ch. 13, pp. 382-404.
Review of Material for Final Exam
Final Project Class Presentations continue
Final Exam
Black Church Simulation at Chapel
Fellowship at BSU
Wednesday, December 15, 8 – 11 am
Note: If you are a student with a documented disability who will require accommodations in this
course, please register with the Karen Saracusa, Director of Student Accessibility Services, in
Room 113 Hoover-Price Campus Center, ext. 7372, for assistance in developing a plan to
address your academic needs.
Credit for photo at the top: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/f0706s.jpg
Assignments
Douglass, Slaveholding Religion
Equiano, Traditional Ibo Religion and Culture
Walker, Our Wretchedness in Consequence
Stewart, Mrs. Stewart’s Farewell
Ida B Wells-Barnet, Requisites
Paul, African Baptists Celebrate
Catholics, The First African American
Mason, Bishop C.H. Mason
Allen, Life Experience and Gospel Labors
Holsey, The Colored Methodists
Brown, Black Religion
Crummell, Regeneration of Africa
Ransom, The Race Problem
Turner, Emigration to Africa
Rastafarianism
Dread, The History
Fischer, Organized Religion
Garvey, Garvey Tells
Grace, Bishop Charles Daddy Grace
Higginson, Slave Song
Jackson, Singing Good Tidings
Cone, Black Theology and the Black Church
Hamer, Sick and Tired
Ida B Wells-Barnet, Lynching
Walker, Womanist
Chisholm, The Relationship Between
Thurman, Anatomy of Segregation
King, Letter from a Birmingham Jail
NCBC, Black Power Statement
Presenter
Billy Hassinger
Erin Kafka
Travis Wade
Jasmine Bentley
Deirdre Dick
Jr
Chanel Simpson
Nichole Caroniti
Kat McCallin
Judd Harrold
Brandon B
Liz Gluck
Charles Pratt
Lucy Garlock
Ron Ferguson
Mike Morris
Erin McKinney
Chris Slocum
AJ Meyer
Jacob Freeman
Alex Ferrara
DaRon Brown
Alessia Vivod
Sebastian Liviola
Shatira Freeman
Marcellus Haraway
Joseph Twitty
Abby Honaker
James Daniels
List for the Final Project
Pastor: Brandon
Deacons: DaRon, Chris, Ferg, AJ
Choir: Junior, Judd, Alex, Sebastian, Billy, Travis, Shatira, Mike
Food: Kat, Nicole, Erin M, Chris
Mothers Board: Chantel, Jaz, Lucy
Bulletin: Dee, Erin, Liz, Abby
Ushers: Twitty, James, AJ
Baptism: Cello
Communion: Alessia, Jake
Congregation: All who are not in front
Date
9/10
9/10
9/17
9/24
10/1
10/4
10/6
10/8
10/13
10/13
10/20
10/20
10/22
10/22
10/27
10/27
11/3
11/3
11/10
11/17
11/19
11/29
11/29
12/1
12/1
12/3
12/3
12/6
12/8