Courses in American Studies

Scholars have written much about the history of religion in North America, but the effort has been fraught with many oversights. Recent scholarship has begun to take account of the fact that most religions in North America either did not emerge from European sources, or have existed long before the arrival of Europeans. Indeed, many religions have grown out of the American soil during the past several centuries-what some would call the product of religious "cross-fertilization," and what others would deem as religious and cultural thievery, i.e. colonialism. This course follows a modified historical trajectory, one that strives to allow the voices of forgotten "others" to speak, bringing questions of colonialism, identity, and the importance of religious community to the forefront.

Format: lecture/discussion. Evaluation will consist of several short response papers, thoughtful interaction, a midterm, and a 10-page final paper.

No prerequisites. Enrollment limit: 25 (expected: 15). Open to all.

Hour: 2:35-3:50 TR