COURSE PREFIX & NUMBER: RELI 230
COURSE TITLE: Religion in American Society
DATE PREPARED: June 3, 1995
DATE REVISED: 04/1999
PCS/CIP/ID NO: 11 240 1010106 0
IAI No: H5 905
EFFECTIVE DATE OF FIRST CLASS: 08/1995
CREDIT HOURS: 3
CONTACT HOURS:
LECTURE HOURS: 3 LABORATORY HOURS: 0
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: (Including specific pre-requisites)
A survey of the various religions found in America, and the various roles which religion has played in helping to shape American culture. Examines the contributions of religion to American culture, the development of religious freedom, Civil Religion, Native American Religions,
African American Religions, and the emergence of new forms of belief and practice, as well as a variety of religious issues confronting American society today.
TEXTBOOK:
Albanese, Catherine. America: Religions and Religion. 3rd ed. Belmont California: Wadsworth
Publishing Co., 1998.
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
TRANSFERABILITY:
RELI 230 fulfills 3 of the 9 semester hours of credit in Humanities/Fine Arts required for the
A.A. or A.S. degree. It satisfies the Humanities component of this requirement. RELI 230 should transfer as part of the General Education Core Curriculum described in the Illinois
Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and universities participating in the IAI.
However, students should consult an academic advisor for transfer information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page for information as well at www.itransfer.org
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes)
Students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the impact that religion has had upon American culture
(D-1, D-2, D-3).
2. Gain an appreciation for the different religions and religious expressions found in
America, and the variety of their cultural and social expressions (D-1, D-2, D-3).
3. Analyze critically the relationship between various social problems in America and some solutions which have their bases in religious beliefs that have been offered to address these problems (P-1, P-5).
4. Articulate the major tenants of the belief and meaning systems of the religions found in
America.
5. Identify some of the major institutional organizations which have developed from or been associated with religion(s) in America.
6. Analyze the extent to which various ideas proposed by religions for the construction of
American society and culture were generated by their respective belief systems, were influenced by the American experience, or were influenced by other ideologies (C-7, D-
4).
7. Understand the nature of some of the conflicts which have arisen between religious beliefs and other cultural beliefs competing for the same cultural space and social influence (D-1).
8. Select, engage, and demonstrate an understanding of primary sources relevant to religion in America (C-6).
9. Compose a brief topical research paper (C-1, C-2, C-3).
10. Better understand American culture in general having been introduced to a significant constituent part of it (D-1).
11. Gain a better understanding and appreciation for the role that traditionally marginalized groups (African American, immigrants, women, etc) have played in American culture in the context of religion (D-3).
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
I. INTRODUCTION
A.
B.
The Study of Religion, and Religion in America.
World Views, Belief Systems, Religion, and Culture.
II. RELIGION IN EARLY AMERICA
A. Native American Religion(s).
B. The Establishment of Christianity in the Thirteen Colonies.

III. RELIGION IN THE EARLY UNITED STATES
A. The Rise of Religious Freedom, the Declaration of Independence, and the First
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
B. Religion and Social Reform.
C. Slave religion, and The African American Church in America.
D. Religion and Community.
IV. RELIGION IN THE LATER UNITED STATES
A. Civil Religion.
B. Religion, Culture, Society, and Politics.
C. Jewish and Middle Eastern Religions in America.
D. Women and Religion in America.
V. NEW AND EMERGING RELIGIONS IN THE UNITED STATES
A. New Age Religion.
B. Neo-Paganism.
METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Course grades will be determined by total points accumulated during the semester. Points will be assigned as follows:
400 points Section Exams =
Research Paper (12-15 pages) or
Short Topical Papers
Short Position Paper
=
=
400 points
200 points
The grading scale used to determine the course grade will be:
90 to 100%
80 to 89%
70 to 79%
60 to 69%
= A
= B
= C
= D
Below 60% = F
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
One research paper (12-15 pages) or 2 shorter topical papers (4-5 pages each) presenting the results of the student's independent library research. Additionally, one short position paper (2–3 pages) supporting a chosen position on any one of a variety of appropriate social/ cultural religious topics consistent with the course’s subject matter is required.
Selected readings from the text book are to be read prior to class.