DESCRIPTION:

This course is introductory overview of the history of Christianity in America. The class will explore some of the major persons, ideas, and movements that have shaped Christian faith and practice in North America. The course will also involve students in opportunities for more intensive pursuit and presentation of their particular interests in the story of North American Christianity.

Knowledge of basic themes, patterns, and events in the history of Christianity in America is indispensable for Christian ministers who seek to be leaders of the church and reliable interpreters of the faith in the North American context. Ministers with a sense of historical perspective on American Christianity will be able to comprehend its current issues more thoroughly and address its present problems more effectively. Also, through improving their capacity for critical evaluation of historical sources, students will have the opportunity to acquire transferable analytical and writing skills, which will be useful in observing, understanding, and influencing contemporary situations of ministry.

Course sessions will include lectures, class discussions, student presentations, small group consultations, and historical document workshops. The class will meet for nine four-hour sessions.

Gaustad, Edwin S., ed. A Documentary History of Religion in America to the Civil War. 2nd ed. Eerdmans, 1994.

MacHaffie, Barbara J. Her Story Set (with CD) or Her Story: Women in Christian Tradition. Fortress Press, 2002 or 1986. (Read pp. 75-155).

Noll, Mark A. A History of Christianity in the United States and Canada. Eerdmans, 1994.

Required reading also includes historical figure reading from primary and secondary sources (minimum of 250 pages) and reading for research paper critically evaluating primary sources.

Optional extra credit reading:

Moore, R. Laurence. Religious Outsiders and the Making of Americans. Oxford University Press, 1987. Optional 3-pg. extra credit paper due June 30.

Recommended resources:

Gaustad, Edwin S., ed. A Documentary History of Religion in America Since 1865. 2nd ed. Eerdmans, 1994.

Reid, Daniel G., Harry S. Stout, and Craig A. Noll, eds. Concise Dictionary of Christianity in America. Wipf & Stock, 2002.

1. Historical figure reading list. 5% of final grade (due June 24)

2. Research paper proposal. 10% (due June 25)

3. Historical figure presentation. 20% (scheduled in class)

4. Ten-page research paper. 30% (due July 21)

5. Final exam. 25% (July 3)

6. Class attendance and participation. 10% (includes devotional leadership requirement)