DESCRIPTION:

An 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Course sessions will include lectures, class discussions, student presentations, small group consultations, and historical document workshops.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 ten four-hour sessions.

Gaustad, Edwin S. and Mark A. Noll, eds. A Documentary History of Religion in America to 1877. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003.

MacHaffie, Barbara J. Her Story Set (with CD) or Her Story: Women in Christian Tradition. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 2002 or 1990. (Read pp. 75-155.)

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

Historical figure reading from primary and secondary sources: minimum of 250 pages.

Reading for research paper critically evaluating primary sources.

Optional extra credit reading--choose one of the following:

Moore, R. Laurence. Religious Outsiders and the Making of Americans. New York; Oxford University Press, 1987.

Orsi, Robert A. The Madonna of 115th Street: Faith and Community in Italian Harlem, 1880-1950. 2nd ed. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2002.

Recommended resources:

Gaustad, Edwin S. and Mark A. Noll, eds. A Documentary History of Religion in America Since 1877. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003.

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

(1) Historical figure reading list due June 22; 5% of final grade. (2) Research paper proposal due June 23; 10%. (3) Historical figure presentation; 20%. (3) Ten-page research paper due July 16; 30%. (4) Take-home final exam due July 2; 25%. (5) Class attendance and participation (includes devotional leadership requirement); 10%. (*) Optional 3-pg. extra credit paper based on optional reading due June 28.