1) Enabling students to understand the intimate connection between religion and
other aspects of American culture.
2) Outlining the significant and mutual impact that religion and other elements of
culture have had on each other throughout American religious history.
3) Equipping students to understand the connections among religion, culture,
ethnicity, race, and gender in U.S. history.
4) Introducing to students how major and innovative religious ideas and movements
have had impact upon social, economic, and political aspects of American culture.
5) Enabling students to comprehend the manner in which various religious bodies have
related to each other positively and negatively.

Communicate Effectively through Writing:
To strengthen skills in written composition, analysis, and presentation by means of projects such as essays, papers, reports, and examinations.

Communicate Effectively through Speech:
To strengthen skills in oral expression, analysis, style, and interaction by means such as class reports, class discussion, and oral examinations.

Computer Literacy:
To enhance and facilitate computer literacy by the use of word processing, the web, email, and OASIS through research, preparation, and presentation of work such as oral class reports and completion of written assignments.

Critical Thinking:
To foster critical thinking by engaging in activities such as classroom discussion and debate, essay examinations, and oral presentations.

Moral Reasoning (Ethics):
To assist in the continued development of moral and ethical reasoning and reflection by encouraging creative thinking regarding individual and community concerns and needs, the challenging of prejudices and stereotypes, and examining rational and ethical bases of constructive social interactions.

I. Introduction

II. The Role of Religion in European Settling of the U.S., 1500s - 1700s

III. The Role of Religion in the Interactions among Native Americans, African Americans, and European Americans, 1500s - 1700s

IV. The Impact of Puritanism and Evangelicalism upon Colonial Institutions, 1600s-1700s

V. Religion, the American Revolutionary War, and the Early National Period, ca. 1770-ca. 1830

VI. Social Reform and Religion in Prior to the Civil War, 1820-1860

VII. Religion, Slavery, and Race Prior to the Civil War, 1820-1860

VIII. Religious Elements and Impact during the Civil War and Reconstruction Period, 1861-1880

IX. Religion, Industrialization, Urbanization, and Immigration, 1880-1915

X. Religion’s Impact during the Period of the Great Wars, 1915-1945

XI. Religion, Civil Rights, and an Era of Rapid Social Change, 1945-1975

XII. The Resurgence of Theologically Conservative Religion and Its Impact on Culture and Politics, 1975-2000

XIII. Increased Religious Diversity and Contemporary American Culture, 1975-Present