Courses

The class examines both historical and contemporary examples of the relationship between religion and culture in the United States in light of such questions as: In what ways has religion in the United States reflected the values of the larger culture? In what ways has it rejected those values? What happens when religious traditions conflict with or seek to convert one another? In what ways, apart from institutional settings such as churches and synagogues, have Americans found religious grounding for their lives? How does religious affiliation affect adherents' views of racial relationships, family life or capitalism? What myths undergird American identities?