America has long been recognized for its distinct religiosity. This semester, we will examine the complex role of religion in the American past and the process by which, often against its will, the United States became home to a baffling variety of religious groups who changed and were changed by America. By the end of the course, you should be able to: 1.) Use “religion” as a category of historical analysis. 2.) Explain the core beliefs, practices, and (most importantly) experiences of Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and other religious groups over time. 3.) Analyze how religion and American culture shaped each other. 4.) Create and complete an original, thesis-driven research project in American religious history supported by primary and secondary sources.
This syllabus was created for the Young Scholars in American Religion program.
T. J. TomlinAuthor
University of Northern ColoradoInstitution
Public College or University Institution Type
Syllabus Resource Type
Undergraduate Course Class Type
2016 Date Published
Religious Studies, History Discipline
General Comparative Traditions Religous Tradition
Race/Ethnicity, Nationalism/War/Civil Religion Topics