Syllabus SPRING 2010 Phl/Hst 3333 Instructor Information Name Dr. Robert Timko Email rtimko@mansfield.edu Office location Pinecrest 103 Office hours MWTh 10‐12 Phone x4744 Course Information Course title History of Religion in North America Course number PHL 3333/HST 3333 Course discipline Humanities – Philosophy and History Course description This course will have two integrated components. The first component of this course will examine the presence and the socio‐
historical development of various religions and religious practices in the US and Canada. Included in this survey will be Native religions, the particular developments of Protestant and Catholic Christianities, the indigenous development of new Christianities (e.g., Christian Scientists, Jehovah Witnesses, etc.) and the presence of ethnic Christianities (e.g., African‐
American Christianity in the US, the Doukhobours in Canada), the emergence of new religious movements, the historical presence of Judaism in both countries, the recent rise of nonwestern religions, and the phenomenon of public or civil religion. The second component will be an integrated examination and an analysis of the various roles religious beliefs and religious movements have played in the development of society, culture, and politics in the US and Canada. Included in this analysis will be a study of the question of the separation of Church and State, the question of public vs. religious education, and the influence of religious fundamentalism on populist political movements. In each of the two components, special attention will be paid to the role of religion in African‐American/Canadian culture and history. Course date Tuesday, January 19, 2007 through Thursday, May 6, 2007 Location Retan G‐5 Meeting day(s) Tuesday and Thursday Meeting time(s) 8:30‐9:45 Prerequisite(s) None Course Goals Course Goals Learning Objectives Analyze and evaluate the role various religious movements have played in forming and developing the social and political cultures of the US and Canada Listed for individually for each Lesson Textbooks Required Reading The Religious History of America, Revised edition, Edwin Gaustad & Leigh Schmidt, Harper San Francisco, 2004 Required Reading Recommended Reading Additional Canaan Land: A Religious History of African Americans, Albert J. Raboteau, Oxford University Press, 2001 Communities of Dissent: A History of Alternative Religions in America, Stephen J. Stein, Oxford University Press, 2003 There will be periodic handouts of materials on “Religion in Canada” Policies Introduction A portion of each class will be devoted to the discussion of assigned readings. Students will be expected not only to have read the material, but to have reflected on the material, i.e., be prepared to ask questions, debate, and inform. An equal portion of each class will be given over to informal lecture. I have some ideas that I want you to respond to. An informal lecture is one during which students are urged to debate the thesis of the lecture. Attendance at each class meeting is strongly recommended. The instructor may require a student with excessive unexcused absences to demonstrate knowledge of the material discussed in his or her absence by special written examination, or the instructor may penalize the student one point for each excessive, unexcused absence. For purposes of this course excessive shall be defined as more than three hours absence. Ideally the instructor should be notified in advance of any anticipated absence. N.B. For each two absences beyond the three allowed, a student will be penalized one percent of the final grade. Completion of all assignments (reading as well as written assignments) will be considered as a necessary condition for receiving credit for this course. Additional information Any students with documented psychological or learning disorders or other significant medical conditions that may affect their learning should work through Mr. William Chabala in our Counseling Center (South Hall 216, Phone: 662‐4798; e‐mail wchabala@mnsfld.edu) to provide me with the appropriate letter so that I may serve their particular needs more effectively. If you have a specific need that requires classroom or testing accommodations, Mr. Chabala will work with us to identify and implement appropriate interventions. Students using substandard English, or an outline form for an essay, can expect to be penalized. All essays written outside of class must be typewritten or word processed. Essays written in class must be in either blue or black ink. Students who are auditing this course, though not required to write any examinations, will be required to meet the minimum attendance requirements set forth above. Permission must be sought and obtained for the automatic recording of lectures and discussions. All participants in the class must agree to allow the recording in order for permission to be granted. Course Requirements Requirements Grades will be based on a combination of in‐class participation and THREE examinations. Each examination will have a take‐home and an in‐class component. The take‐home portion of each examination will be worth 100 points and the in‐class portions will be each worth 50 points. Take‐home examinations will consist of two essays, each about 800‐900 words in length. Comments and suggestions will accompany the instructor's evaluation of the essays on the first examination. Students may take these comments into consideration and respond to them in written form. These responses will be considered by the instructor and a re‐evaluation of that essay examination will be take place. Responses must be returned to the instructor within ten days of the student's receipt of the original graded examination. Class participation will be worth 50 points. Students who wish to gain credit for either the African‐American Studies Minor or the Canadian Studies Minor will be directed to answer a specific question on each of the examinations. GRADING FINAL GRADE POINT SYSTEM A = 470‐500 points C = 350‐374 points A‐ = 450‐469 points C‐ = 325‐349 points
B+ = 435‐449 points D+ = 300‐324 points
B = 420‐434 points D = 275‐299 points B‐ = 400‐419 points D‐ = 250‐274 points
C+ = 375‐399 points F = 249 and below Academic Dishonesty Student essays will be randomly checked for instances of plagiarism. Any essay which is found to have been copied from another source or paraphrased from another source without proper citations will automatically receive a grade of zero. Students will not be able to make‐up the assignment and will be required to sign an official university academic dishonesty form. The second time a student is found to be engaged in act of academic dishonesty, s/he will automatically receive a grade of “F” for the course and her/his name will be submitted to the Provost Office for adjudication of further penalties. Lesson 1 Lesson Introduction to the Course Date Tuesday, January 19, 2010 Objectives or Goals To discuss the meaning of the term "religion" and to analyze why it should be studied. Topics Defining Religion & Finding American Religion Readings Chapters 1 and 2 in Gaustad and Schmidt Assignments This lesson will continue through Thursday, January 21. At that time be prepared to discuss explaining why you think the study of religion in the US & Canada may be important. Recommended Reading: Chapter 1 of Canaan Land and the “Preface” and “Introduction” to Communities of Dissent Begin to explore the various links to religious studies which can be found on the Instructor’s home page Lesson 2 Lesson Native North Americans & Christian Missionaries Date Thursday, January 21, 2010 Objectives or Goals To develop a basic understanding of and a respect for the various Native North American religious traditions. Also, students should begin to develop a critical and analytical perspective on the impact of early missionary activity on Native culture and society. Readings Review appropriate passages in Gaustad, pp. 1‐36 Assignments Explore some of the Links to Native American religion and Spirituality Be prepared to discuss the interactions between the Native Americans and the first missionaries Lesson 3 Lesson Catholics in North America Date Tuesday, January 26, 2010 Objectives or Goals To discover the ways in which N. American Catholicism through its interactions with the Native Americans, the earlier Protestant settlers, and the democratic ideals of an emerging nation may have developed differently than European Catholicism. Also, to examine how the Quebec colony differed from the rest of North America in this respect. Topics Catholics in North America; Ultramontism in Quebec; Anti‐Catholic sentiment in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries; the impact of Irish and German immigrants on the development of Catholicism in North America. Readings Gaustad and Schmidt, pp. 95‐102; 169‐176; 209‐212; Raboteau, pp. 50‐51; 92‐94; Handout on Canadian Catholicism in Quebec Assignments This Lesson will continue through Thursday January 28, 2010 Be prepared to discuss the role of the Catholic Church in the U.S. and Canada from exploration through the 19th century Lesson 4a
Lesson Protestant North America Date Begins Tuesday, February 2 and continues Objectives or Goals To discover what role the various Protestant denominations may have played in the early development of US and Canadian social, political and economic structures. Topics The rise of denominationalism; Puritans, Baptists, Anglicans, and Presbyterians Readings Gaustad and Schmidt, pp. 49‐94; 103‐114 Lesson 4b
Lesson Protestants in North America Date Thursday, February 4 Objectives or Goals To examine how early Protestant settlers viewed the issue of separation of Church and State. Topics Methodists, Baptists, Quakers & Presbyterians on Church and State First Great Awakening Readings Continuation of previous readings and pp. 121‐138 Lesson 4c
Lesson Democratization and Western Movements Dates Tuesday, February 9 and February 16 Objectives or Goals To gain a critical perspective on how camp meetings and religious revivals may have changed the character of both religion and politics in the American colonies. To examine how Protestantism developed differently in Canada. To give a preliminary answer to the question of why Canadian Protestantism remained more traditional and hierarchical Topics First and Second Great Awakenings. Protestantism in the Maritimes and Upper Canada. Readings Gaustad and Schmidt, pp. 139‐149; 156‐161; 162‐202 Lesson 5
Lesson Jewish Life in North America Date February 18 and 23 Objectives or Goals To examine the presence of Judaism in the US and Canada for the past 200 years. Topics Immigration, persecution, and anti‐Semitism; Zionism in America Readings Check Index of Gaustad and Schmidt for pages in the text related to Judaism In‐Class Assignment on February 25; Take‐Home assignment due Lesson 6
Lesson Ethnic Christianities‐‐Part I Date March 2 and 4 Objectives or Goals To examine the relationship between African American Christianity, African Religions, and European Christianities. Topics Holiness and Pentecostal Churches; The African Methodist Episcopal Church. Readings Canaan Land pp. 21‐122 Lesson 7 Lesson Ethnic Christianities Part II Date March 16 Objectives or Goals To examine the presence of Eastern Orthodox Christianity in the U.S. and Canada Topics The History and Beliefs of Eastern Orthodox Christians; Russian immigration; Russian dissidents‐‐The Doukhobors Readings Gaustad & Schmidt, pp.285‐288; Handout (?) Lesson 8 a, b Lesson The Social Gospel; Disruptions and Changes in Protestantism Date March 18 and 20 Objectives or Goals To examine the impact of modernism and fundamentalism on the development of Protestantism. Topics What fundamentalism means; what was modernism; why did the holiness movement arise? Holiness and Pentecostal Churches Readings Gaustad & Schmidt, pp. 231‐254; 291‐321 Lesson 9 a, b, c, d, e Lesson Alternate Christianities Date March 30, April 1, 6,*8 *No class on April6, The instructor is away at state meetings. Hand in you completed assignments as per the instruction on the assignment Objectives or Goals To examine the origin and nature of American born Christianities such as Mormonism, Adventism, and Christian Science. Additionally, to discuss some peculiarly American communal religions such as the Shakers and Oneida community. To examine what contributions these religions may have made to American and Canadian social and political values and practices Topics 1. Communalism: The Shakers and the Oneida Community, 2.
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pp.149‐152 Adventists and Witnesses, pp.152‐156; 226‐228; 349‐355 Mormons, pp. 177‐80; 280‐281 Christian Science, pp. 228‐230 Unitarians and Universalists, pp. 158‐161 I strongly recommend you look at Stephen Stein’s Communities of Dissent for further information on several of the groups we will be discussing in this lesson Readings See above for appropriate pages in Gaustad & Schmidt APRIL 6 SECOND Assignment Due Lesson 10 Lesson Buddhism in North America Date April 13 Objectives or Goals To gain some understanding of the presence of non‐Western traditions in North American religious practices. To pose a preliminary answer to the question of why North Americans may be turning to non‐Western traditions. Topics The Nature of Buddhist belief; American and Canadian Buddhism Readings Gaustad & Schmidt, pp. 288‐291; 412‐418 Assignments Go to the Religious Links page and visit and explore either the American Buddhist site or the Buddhism in Canada site. Lesson 11 Lesson Islam in North America Date April 20 Objectives or Goals To gain some understanding of the presence of non‐Western traditions in North American religious practices. To pose a preliminary answer to the question of why North Americans may be turning to non‐Western traditions. Topics The nature of Islam; Islamic belief in North America; Black Muslims Readings Gaustad & Schmidt, pp. 417‐422 Assignments Visit the Religion Links page and explore the various sites on Islam Lesson 12 a, b, c Lesson Fundamentalism revisited, the New Evangelicals, the Religious/Political Right and Christian Television Date April 22 Objectives or Goals To critically examine the role of evangelical Christians and fundamentalists in American and Canadian politics; to critically examine the mission of the "electronic church" and the ideologies of televangelism Topics Readings 1. What is Fundamentalism? 2. "Christian Television" 3. The "Moral Majority," the "Christian Coalition" and American Politics 4. The religion of the New Conservatives in Canada Gaustad & Schmidt, pp. 335‐348; 398‐412 Lesson 13 Lesson American Civil Religion Date April 27 Objectives or Goals To develop a critical analysis of American Civil Religion Topics Readings 1. The Historical Development of Civil Religion 2. The Structure of Civil Religion 3. The Meaning of Civil Religion Handout Lesson 14 Lesson Religion and Culture Date April 29 Objectives or Goals To discover the origin and appeal of new age and self‐help philosophies; to examine the ways in which sports, music, and television programs have risen to the status of religious cults; to discuss the problem of defining a cult Topics 1. New Age & Self‐Help Philosophies 2. Pop Culture and Religion 3. Cults Readings TBA The Final Examination Will be Held on May