New Religions in America
Religion 250
Spring 2015
West 115
2:50 – 4:20 TT (Blk 12)
Gerald R. McDermott
West 309; ext. 2375
cell ph. (in emergencies): 467-9019
Ofc. Hours: 9:00 – 10:00 MTWTh
or by appt.
This course is a study of non-traditional religious communities in America. It will
examine the “definitions of reality” sponsored by such groups as Mormonism, Jehovah’s
Witnesses, Christian Science, Black Muslims, Unity, the New Age, David Koresh’s
Branch Davidians, Scientology, Wicca, and Christian Identity.
Its objectives are two-fold. The first is to enable students to comprehend the history and
world-view of each religious community. The second is that each student personally
experience the inner workings of one religious community. The student will accomplish
this by making a field visit and writing a paper analyzing the visit.
GRADES:
Students’ grades will be determined by two exams (20% and 40%), a paper (20%),
quizzes (10%), participation and attendance (10%).
TEXTS:
To be purchased at campus bookstore:
Timothy Miller, ed., America’s Alternative Religions (SUNY Press, 1995)
Malcolm X and Alex Haley, The Autobiography of Malcolm X
McDermott and Millet, Evangelicals and Mormons: Exploring the Boundaries (Regent
College Press, 2010)
FIELD VISIT AND PAPER:
The paper (at least 5 pp), due April 17, is to be based on two specific field experiences: 1)
an organized visit to a formal group occasion, and 2) an interview with a leader of the
community you are studying. The paper should be organized in two sections:
1. Basic report. Here you are a journalist. Describe the visit in detail. Be sure
to tell in detail the contents of the sermon or talk. What happened outside of
this talk? Be observant: look for revealing characteristics of architecture,
ceremony, music, sacred text, etc.
2. Analysis. Here you attempt some interpretation of your observations. How
do the distinctive practices of the group reveal a characteristic outlook?
Example: what is revealed by the extremely obvious presence of children in
a Mormon service? The interview should be designed to aid you in
interpreting the meaning, as the group itself understands it, of the distinctive
practices you observed.
2
See the sample paper for a model: “Through the Looking-Glass.” Hint: most students
lose points because they observe but do not interpret. See above.
HOW WRITING IS EVALUATED:
F: A paper which shows no evidence of having read or understood the assignment
text, with spelling and grammatical errors.
D: A paper which does not explain the sense of the service and interview but
simply reports basic events and answers with no deeper questions.
C: A paper which presents a plausible interpretation of the service and interview
correctly reporting and doing a minimum of interpretation. No spelling or grammatical
errors.
B: A paper which in addition to providing a plausible interpretation also delves
into the complexities of the service and interview and the issues they raise (or fail to
raise). The “B” paper is critically engaged with what happened in the service, putting
questions back to the leader, pressing him or her deeper to get at what seem to be
discrepancies between theology and behavior, or to resolve other questions. No spelling
or grammatical errors and stylistically clear and pleasant to read.
A: A paper which in addition to plausible interpretation, critical engagement and
good style evinces the student’s own creative engagement with the issues raised by the
service and interview. An “A” paper goes beyond (but does not skip over!) basic
interpretation, getting the leader to reflect on problems which an outsider (the
interviewer) sees, reflecting on that leader’s responses and the group’s theology, and then
relating these findings to larger issues raised in the course.
Electronic devices are forbidden in the classroom, cellphones and laptops included. Use of
laptops or any other electronic device (PalmPilots, Pocket PCs, Blackberries,
Cellphones etc.) during an exam or quiz constitutes a violation of AI.
The Writing Center @ Roanoke College: The Writing Center @ Roanoke College,
located in the Goode-Pasfield Center for Learning and Teaching in Fintel Library, is a
place where writers working in any academic discipline, at any level of competence, and
at any stage of the writing process meet with trained peer writing tutors in informal, oneon-one sessions focused on writing. The Writing Center is open Sunday through
Thursday from 4 to 9 pm. You may simply stop in, or schedule an appointment ahead of
time by going to MyRC: Academics and looking for the Writing Center Schedule link.
If you have questions, email the Writing Center at writingcenter@roanoke.edu or call the
CLT at 375-2247. The Writing Center also sponsors writing workshops and playshops on
writing related issues.
Learning Disabilities: If you are on record with the College’s Special Services as having
special academic or physical needs requiring accommodations, please meet with me
during my regular office hours as soon as possible. We need to discuss your
accommodations before they can be implemented. Also, please note that arrangements
for extended time exams and testing in a semi-private setting must be made at least one
week before the exams. If you believe that you are eligible for accommodations but have
not yet formally contacted Special Services, please call 375-2248 or drop by the Office of
3
Academic Services in the Resource Development Building (across Clay Street from
Crawford Hall).
ATTENDANCE:
Regular attendance is expected. Any class missed without a legitimate excuse will result
in a proportionate reduction of the grade. Missed exams due to unexcused absences will
receive a 0.
The Roanoke College policy of academic integrity will be enforced in this course.
SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS AND READINGS:
Jan 13 – Introduction.
Lecture: New Religions and “cults”
Non-traditional religions in past centuries
Jan 15 – Mormonism: lecture
Reading: Evangelicals and Mormons, Introduction and chaps. 1-3
Jan 20 – Mormonism
Reading: Evangelicals and Mormons, chaps. 4-6
Jan 22 – Mormonism:
Reading: Evangelicals and Mormons, chaps. 7-8, and Conclusion
Jan 27 – Jehovah’s Witnesses: lecture
Reading: Miller, 33-46.
Jan 29 – Jehovah’s Witnesses
Discussion of Jehovah’s Witnesses: Who Are They? What Do They
Believe? (distributed by professor)
Feb 3 – Jehovah’s Witnesses
Guest speaker
Feb 5 – Christian Science: lecture
Reading: Miller, 61-68.
Feb 10 – Christian Science
Discussion of Science and Health, selected chapters (distributed by
professor)
Feb 12 – Christian Science
Guest speaker
Feb 17 – Unity School of Christianity: lecture
4
Feb 19 – Black Muslims: lecture
Reading: Autobiography of Malcolm X
(Use study guide)
Feb 24 – Black Muslims: Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam
Reading: Miller, 238-40
Guest speaker
Feb 26 – Guest speaker: Robert Millet
SPRING BREAK
March 10 – MIDTERM
March 12 – New Age: lecture
Reading: Miller, 339-52.
March 17 – Wicca and Goddess worship
Lecture
March 19 – New Age: guest speaker
Reading: “Karma and Rebirth as Christian Pedagogy” (distributed by
professor)
March 24 – David Koresh and the Branch Davidians
Miller, 149-58
March 26 – David Koresh and the Branch Davidians
Video: “Rules of Engagement”
March 31 – Theosophy and New Thought
Reading: Miller, 315-30.
April 2 – Scientology: lecture
Reading: Miller, 385-92.
April 7 – Scientology: guest speaker
Reading: What Is Scientology? (chaps distributed by professor)
Guest speaker
April 9 – Rev. Moon and the Unification Church
Reading: Miller, 223-30
April 14 - Christian Identity: lecture
5
April 16 – Discussion: What are the vital issues at stake?
Reading: “What Religion Can Learn from Uganda cult” (to be distributed)
April 17 (Friday) – FIELD REPORT DUE
April 22 (Wednesday) 2:00 PM - FINAL EXAM