Course Description

An examination of American religious beliefs, practices, and organizations from an anthropological perspective.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will develop an ethnographic research project: Four written exercises and one presentation. 1. Write a short research proposal (pre-approved by the professor) that guides their research. 2. Turn in the introduction and methods sections of their ethnography which they will correct and integrate into their final project. 3. Turn in the data, reflections, interpretation sections of their ethnography which they will correct and integrate into their final project. 4. Turn in the complete ethnography with all suggested corrections as their final project. Finally, they will present their findings to the class as an oral presentation. Graduate students will be assigned the following two additional required readings and other readings based on their ethnographic research project. Graduate students will write weekly literature reviews on topics discussed in class relevant to the ethnographic research.

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Athena Title

Anthropology and American Reli

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Prerequisite

Junior or senior standing or permission of department

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Semester Course Offered

Offered fall and spring

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Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

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Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will learn how American cultural assumptions and religious beliefs influence the ever-changing set of symbolic, linguistic, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral patterns and rules which Americans utilize to make sense of the world around them.
• Students will analyze American religious beliefs, experiences, practices, and organizations.
• Students will carry on an informed conversation with others about American religious issues, problems, and findings.
• Students will conduct auto-ethnographic research related to American Religion.
• Students will present your research findings.

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Topical Outline

• 1. What is American culture? 2. Religion and Politics 3. Religion and the Environment 4. Science and Faith 5. Theologically-Engaged Anthropology 6. Religion and Sex, Courtship, and Marriage

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Institutional Competencies

Social Awareness & Responsibility

The capacity to understand the interdependence of people, communities, and self in a global society.

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Syllabus

Select Faculty / Instructor to download syllabus:   Lemons, J.

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