Beau Weston Crounse 447 (x8789)
Centre College Sociology of American Religion Hours: see calendar
Spring 2006 (SOC 344/ REL 352) Phone: 238-7580 (h)
Our first aim will be to understand what the main denominational traditions found in the United States believe and practice. One important tool we will use is that we will each research our own denominational tradition, whatever that is, and speak to the class material from that perspective. Our larger and harder task will be to see how these traditions win, lose, and change in their competition with one another. Seeing the vast diversity of denominations, and the effects of competition among them, will give us a rich understanding of the American experiment with both the separation of church and state, and the rich intertwining of religion and culture. We will also look at the American civil religion, the religion of America or the American faith as an overarching force shaping all denominational traditions.
Course Format
Each class session will have this basic plan: In the first half, I lay out three points, two drawn from the readings and the third from some other source. Then I will give you something to consider briefly, either alone or with a partner. The last third of each class will be an open question and answer session. This last part is especially valuable for your learning, so plan on active participation.
Roger Finke and Rodney Stark, The Churching of America, 1776 - 2005 (2005)
Juan Williams and Quinton Dixie, This Far by Faith: Stories from the African American Religious Experience (2004)
Christian Smith, American Evangelicalism: Embattled and Thriving (1998)
Chester Gillis, Roman Catholicism in America (2000)
Marc Lee Raphael, Judaism in America (2006)
Diana Eck, A New Religious America (2002)
Alan Wolfe, The Transformation of American Religion (2003)
NOTE: All are available in the bookstore. One copy of each is on reserve in the library.
Final exam 20%
Midterm Exam 20%
Own tradition paper 20%
Field reports 20%
Quizzes & Participation 20%
Final Examination. A comprehensive examination of the facts and ideas of the whole course. We will meet at the scheduled final exam time, 1:30 p.m. on Monday, May 15. You have a choice of either turning in a take-home exam (questions available on the class day) or taking a blue-book exam.
Midterm Examination. A blue-book test on the first half of the course.
Own tradition paper. You will write a paper of about 12 pages on your denominational experience. This should include the basic historical, theological, and sociological facts of your particular denomination and its place in its denominational "family." You should also analyze how the American religious marketplace affects you in relation to your denomination. If you are not clearly attached to one denomination, pick the one in your family line that has had the biggest effect on you. Write them in Word or the equivalent and save yourself a copy, then submit it by way of WebCT.
Field reports.
Write three reports of about 5
pages each based on visits to religious services of denominational traditions different
from your own. Write them in Word or the equivalent and save yourself a copy,
then submit it by way of WebCT.
The field reports are due March 1, April 1, and May 1.
The three should be drawn from this list:
Roman Catholic,
Jewish,
Muslim,
African-American,
Pentecostal,
Megachurch, or
Another that you make a really good case to me about.
The reports should tell something of:
the history of the congregation,
what happened in the service, and
what you learned from a leader of the congregation.
I want you to travel in groups of four (plus or minus one). You should write your reports separately, but go to the service together. This will help you notice what is going on, without overwhelming your hosts. Set up your communication with a congregational leader ahead of time. The easiest person to talk to is the clergy person, if there is one. You might also call the congregational office for other people - elders, deacons, assistant or associate pastors, other lay leaders, etc. - who might be good to talk to. I recommend that you talk to the congregational leader as a group, to reduce our burden on him or her. You might also follow up, individually, be email/telephone. The main thing you want to know is how the congregation fits in a denomination.
Quizzes: Pop quizzes on the principal facts and main point of the readings due for that day, and/or points covered in previous classes. I will drop the lowest quiz grade.
Participation: about half of each class session will be open Q & A. Your questions are the best way for you to learn, and undoubtedly help others, as well.
2/3 Introduction to the field and the course
2/6 American religion as the competition of denominations
Finke and Stark, ch. 1 (about 25 pages)
2/8 From Columbus to the Civil War: Making the Protestant Establishment.
Finke and Stark, chs. 2 & 3 (90)
2/10 From the Great Immigration to the Great War: Catholics and Jews.
Finke and Stark, ch. 4 (40)
2/13 Remaking the Protestant Establishment
Finke and Stark, ch. 5 (40)
2/15 The Triple Melting Pot.
Finke and Stark, ch. 6 (40)
2/17 From Cultural Revolution to the New Religious Market.
Finke and Stark, ch. 7 (50)
2/20 Race and Religion in America
Williams
and Dixie, chs. 1 & 2 (65)
2/22 Slavery and Civil War
Williams and Dixie, chs. 3 & 4 (50)
2/24 The Spirit and the Great Migration
Williams and Dixie, chs. 5 - 7 (75)
2/27 The Civil Rights Movement as Sacred History
Williams and Dixie, chs. 8 & 9 (55)
3/1 Black Nationalism vs. The Declining Significance of Race
Williams and Dixie, ch. 10 (30)
Field Report 1 due, 5 p.m.
3/3 African-American Religion Today and Tomorrow
Williams and Dixie, ch. 11 & Conclusion (20)
3/6 Evangelical Protestantism as Engaged Orthodoxy.
Smith chs. 1 & 2 (70)
3/8 Evangelical Boundaries: Subculture and Ethnic Group.
Smith chs. 4 & 5 (65)
3/10 Less Than Conquerors: Limits of Evangelical Competitiveness.
Smith ch. 7 (40)
3/13 MIDTERM EXAM
3/15 In class: "Holy Ghost People" (selection)
3/17 In
class: "The Power and the
Glory" (selection)
SPRING BREAK
3/27 American Catholics
Gillis,
ch. 1 (40)
3/29 Catholic History in Brief
Gillis, chs. 2 & 3 (45)
3/31 The Vatican II Revolution
Gillis, ch. 4 (30)
[4/1 Field Report 2 due, 5 p.m.]
4/3 Catholic Teachings and Beliefs
Gillis, chs. 5 & 6 (70)
4/5 Catholic Institutions and Catholic Culture
Gillis, chs. 7 & 8 (40)
Guest Speakers: Passariello and Pace show "Our Lady of Light"
4/7 American Catholicism Today and Tomorrow
Gillis, chs. 9 & 10 (45)
4/10 Jews, Judaism, and the American Jewish Community
Raphael,
chs. 1& 2 (40)
4/12 Jewish History and Institutions
Raphael, chs. 3 - 5 (75)
4/14 American
Judaism Yesterday and Tomorrow
Raphael, chs. 6 - 8 (55)
[4/15 Own
Tradition Paper Due 5 p.m.]
4/17 New Religious America.
Eck, chs. 1 & 2 (80)
4/19 Hindus, Here.
Eck, ch. 3 (60)
4/21 Buddhist Bake Sales.
Eck, ch. 4 (80)
4/24 American Muslims.
Eck, ch. 5 (70)
4/26 Fighting, Talking, Competing.
Eck, chs. 6 (40)
4/28 American Pluralism Today and Tomorrow
Eck,
ch. 7 (50)
5/1 "American Religion": Worship and Fellowship
Wolfe, Introduction and chs. 1 & 2 (65)
Field Report 3 due, 5 p.m.
5/3 Doctrine and Tradition
Wolfe, chs. 3 & 4 (60)
5/5 Morality and Sin
Wolfe, chs. 5 & 6 (60)
5/8 Witness and Identity
Wolfe, chs. 7 & 8 (60)
5/10 Religion in America vs. Religion of America
Wolfe,
Conclusion (20)
5/15 FINAL EXAM 1:30 – 4:30