History 353: Syllabus

SPRING 2005     

Instructor: Paul Harvey. COB 2055. Ext. 4078. Email pharvey@uccs.edu
COURSE WEBSITE: http://www.uccs.edu/history

COURSE READINGS
Philip Goff and Paul Harvey, eds., Themes in Religion and American Culture (T)
Allen Greer, ed., The Jesuit Relations: Natives and Missionaries in 17th–Century North America (JR)
Stephen Prothero, American Jesus: How the Son of God Became a National Icon (AJ)
Robert Orsi, The Madonna of 115th St (M)
Reserve Readings (RR): List is below, follow RR readings on syllabus

DATE


TOPIC
READING
Jan. 19 Introduction: The Simpsons and the Black Robes  John Winthrop and 1st Am.
Jan. 26 Religious Encounters in Early America, part I  + “Black Robe” T,  1–37; JR, 1–94
Feb. 2 Religious Encounters in Early America, part II T,  99–128 ; JR, 119–185
Feb. 9 Great Awakenings T,  39–70, 262–292; RR 1
Feb. 16 Religion, Revolution, and the Constitution T, 227–260; RR 2; AJ, 3–42
Feb. 23 The Democratization of American Christianity AJ, 43–86, 161–99
Mar. 2 Religion, Race, and Slavery T, 71–98, 129–62; RR 3
Mar. 9 Religion, the Civil War, Violence, and Masculinity RR 4; AJ, 87–123
Mar. 16 Film “The Apostle” in class Takehome essay exam due
Mar. 30 Religion and Ethnicity T; 163–196; M, 1st half
April 6 Religion and Gender T, 197–226; M,  all
April 13 Religion and the Civil Rights Movement RR 5; AJ, 200–229
April 20 Religion and Science; reports on services T, 293–326 ; AJ, 124–57
April 27 America’s Jesus; research reports T, 327–360; AJ, 229–290
May 4 America’s Jesus; research reports; radio, “Prayer Walking” AJ, 291–303; RR 6
May 11 Finish class reports Work on final papers

GRADING

1) midterm exam:                                               25%
2) research paper or religious
service reflection essay                                       20%
3) final paper                                                     25%
4) Class Attendance, participation,
reports on readings, 4 reader response essays       30%

RESERVE READINGS: on reserve in library and also available at websites listed below

RR 1    Jonathan Edwards, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” at http://www.jonathanedwards.com/sermons/Warnings/sinners.htm 
RR 2    James Madison, “Memorial and Remonstrance,” and Thomas Jefferson, “Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom”; U.S. Constitution, 1st Amendment: http://religiousfreedom.lib.virginia.edu/sacred/ (find appropriate links)
RR 3    African–American Spirituals, Nat Turner’s Visions, and David Walker’s Appeal (on reserve at library)
RR 4    Abraham Lincoln, “2nd Inaugural Address,” at http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres32.html
RR 5    Martin Luther King, “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” at http://almaz.com/nobel/peace/MLK-jail.html 
RR 6    Suheir Hammad, “First Writing Since,” at http://www.inmotionmagazine.com/ac/shammad.html

Research Essay OR Religious Service Essay: Choose of one of these two:

1) prepare a relatively  short (5–7 pp.) essay based on research on some religious figure or tradition. Topics will be chosen in individual consultation with instructor, but I especially encourage topics on diverse American religions (New Thought, New Age, Islam, Buddhism, Tao, other immigrant religions or traditions outside the Protestant/Catholic/Jewish triad). Due anytime after spring break, but not later than May 4. All students will be required to have their topics selected by the first class after spring break. More instructions will be posted on the course website.

2) Attend a religious service of any kind. This may be in Colorado Springs, or elsewhere if that turns out to be more convenient. Prepare a 5-7 pp. self–reflexive report on the service, including an historical analysis of the tradition which you have experienced. I will ask you to analyze (not merely report) what you have seen/heard/experienced/felt at the service in relation to the material we have studied through the semester. In other words, I will ask you to historicize what you have seen/heard/experienced/felt. Services will be selected in consultation with me. I encourage you to select a religious tradition/service which is completely unfamiliar to you. Due anytime after spring break, but not later than April 27.

Note: in some cases it would be wise to obtain permission ahead of time for attendance at the services. If you are uncertain about the reception of visitors at the service, please check with me and call ahead of the time to the responsible people. In most cases, there will be no problem.

SPECIAL NOTES:

Students with disabilities who require special accommodations should contact Student Services and provide a letter of accommodation within the first 2 weeks of the semester.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the use of material from others without attribution. Plagiarism will result in an automatic F for this course, and a recommendation of immediate expulsion from the university.