Course Format: Distance/online

Course Synopsis:

This course surveys the major trends in religious beliefs and practices and their social impact since the Reformation. The focus of the course is on the British Isles and North America with some discussion of developments in Continental Europe. In this course the goal is for you to understand religion not merely as a set of precepts but also as an evolving “lived experienced”.  The course is organized into six bi-weekly units. Each unit focuses on a specific period of time, between 1500 and the present, and examines religion within a Western European and North American context through three main themes: Disintegration: The level to which the church is integrated into society; Church and State: The relationship between the religious and political segments of society; The “Other”: Individuals who are impacted by religion but who remain outside of mainstream society (e.g., Christianized slave or Catholic Irish immigrants during the Irish famine).

Methods of Evaluation and Weights:

Four discussions - 20%
Photo essay - 20%
Essay proposal and essay - 35%
Take home final exam - 25%

Texts and/or Resources Required:

There is no formal textbook for the course. The unit material, embedded links and eReserve readings form your online textbook.

*Please note: This is a preliminary web course description only. The department reserves the right to change without notice any information in this description. The final, binding course outline will be distributed in the first class of the semester.