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Contents | The
American Religious Experience Instructor Debra Washington Institution DePaul University, Lincoln Park Campus |
This course examines a variety of ways of being religious in the North American context. Rather than attempt to cover all religious groups, we will focus on diverse and creative forms of religious expression and transformation. We are particularly concerned with the interaction of religion and culture and will attempt to answer such questions as: What role has religion played in the shaping of our diverse American culture? How were the religious beliefs of the American people transformed by the experience of life in this land, the political structure of the nation, and by the salient and diverse characteristics of Americas culture? What forces, secular and religious, led to the development of a religiously pluralistic society? What contributions have the American people made to the variety of humanitys experience of the sacred and to the expression of that experience in systems, beliefs, communal structures, and patterns of action? Finally, what does it mean to be religious, and how is faith related to core components of personal and communal existence?
Attendance at all class sessions, responsible leadership and participation in small group discussions. Assigned readings are to be completed prior to class.
Format for Research Paper:
1. The paper should be typed and double-spaced with 1-inch margins. Block quotations should be single-spaced. No folders or binders for the papers staple your pages together. If you are uncertain about any of the mechanics of paper writing, see Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers. End/footnotes should follow the second form in Turabian (full citation, not parenthetical).
2. Use inclusive language. Man is not generic when referring to all human beings. When speaking about people, use terms like humanity, humankind, people, persons, individuals; use him or her, he or she for singular. When talking about God, since God is nether male nor female, but has attributes of both, you are invited to use terms like Yahweh, God, Creator, Godself, the divine, or other metaphors in lieu of Him. Since Jesus was a human male, masculine pronouns are appropriate when referring to the Christ. For assistance with inclusive language, see Casey Miller and Kate Swift, The Handbook of Nonsexist Writing for Writers, Editors, and Speakers.
Grading Criteria for Research Paper:
Is your writing coherent? Does it reveal an ability to write carefully, intelligibly, and intelligently?
Is your writing informed? Does it reveal an ability to appropriate the issues and resources necessary to develop the thesis? Does it demonstrate familiarity with the content material of the course, as well as reflect on and respond to that material?
Is your writing thoughtful? Does it reveal an ability to thing conceptually and critically? Is the position taken supported by cogent and valid arguments?
Is your writing constructive? Does it reveal an ability to thing creatively and imaginatively? Does it analyze rather than describe?
Is your writing contextual? Does it reveal an ability to offer substantive implications for your way of living and participating in the church and society? Does it explain how your attitudes, information base, and ethical/theological framework have been impacted?
Plagiarism, borrowing someone elses words and ideas and claiming them as your own without proper credit, is a serious academic issue. Persons found guilty of plagiarism may fail the course. If you do not understand how to properly credit quotations and thoughts, consult Professor.
Thursday, September 10: Introduction and syllabus
Video: NIGHTLINE: "Jerusalem Stories"
Defining and Finding Religion in North America
Tuesday, September 14: Albanese, 1-21
Thursday, September 16: Video: 20th Century With Mike Wallace: "Cults"
Native American Traditions in North American
Tuesday, September 22: Albanese, 24-48
Thursday, September 24: "The Lakota Ghost Dance," Raymond J. DeMallie
Being Jewish in North America
Tuesday, September 29: Albanese, 50-72
Thursday, October 1: "Seeking Jewish Spiritual Roots in Miami and Los Angeles," Deborah Dash Moore
Being a Muslim in North America
Tuesday, October 6: Video: NIGHTLINEs "The Hajj"; Albanese, 292-299; "The Basic Beliefs and Worship Practices of Islam,"Frederick Mathewson Denny
Thursday, October 8: "This Is a Muslim House," Aminah Beverly McCloud
Family Religious Charts Due; Take Home Midterm Exam Distributed
The Protestant House in North America
Tuesday, October 13: Albanese, 102-148
Thursday, October 15: "Protestant Christianity in the World and in America," Martin E. Marty
Take Home Midterm Exam Due
The Religious World of African Americans
Tuesday, October 20: Albanese, 193-217
Thursday, October 22: "African Americans, Exodus and the American Israel," Albert J. Raboteau
The Religious World of Hispanic Americans
Tuesday, October 27: "The Religious World of Hispanic Americans," Justo L. Gonzalez
Thursday, October 29: Video: 60 MINUTES "Selection of Next Pope"; "The Challenge of Evangelical/Pentecostal Christianity to Hispanic Catholicism." Allen Figueroa Deck
Asian Religions in North America
Tuesday, November 3: Albanese, 300-322
Thursday, November 5: "Frontiers of Encounter," Diana L. Eck
Different Faces of Religion in North America
Tuesday, November 10: Mysticism and the New Age Movement, Albanese, 250-278; 350-389
Thursday, November 12: "Religion and Women in America," Elizabeth Fox-Genovese
Finals Week: Student Presentations
Tuesday, November 17: Groups 1-3; Student Projects Due
Thursday, November 19: Groups 4-5