HIST 301F Faith and Reason: Critical Explorations in American Religious History

THIS COURSE HAS BEEN CANCELLED!

This Junior Seminar will explore the complicated relationship between proof and persuasion, and history and belief, through a focused exploration of the rise of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) during the Second Great Awakening. A close study of Mormonism's complicated past will allow us to explore larger questions about epistemology and ontology, questions that cut to the heart of what historians do. How, for example, can students of the past discern the reliability of historical documents? Who decides what is credible historical evidence? What place is there in the study of history for faith claims about divine causation? Indeed, how much of the study of history is itself a leap of faith and how much is grounded in empirical certainty, if such a thing even exists?
Evaluation will be based on active class participation, an oral report on supplementary readings, two 8- to 10-page position papers, and one final paper of 18-20 pages.
Restricted to junior History majors.

PAGAN