NORAM4584 – Religion in American History
Course description
Course content
This course presents religion as a central aspect of American history from the colonial period to the present. From the earliest beginnings of American history, diverse religious traditions competed and coalesced, forming a nation that was both uniquely religious and uniquely secular. Special focus will be given to the connections between religion and politics which resulted from this marketplace of ideas. The course will consider the ways in which religious faith has been the crucible through which Americans negotiated differences of national origin, race, ethnicity, and class to negotiate a common identity. Ideas about gender and gender roles, as well as sexual orientation and definitions of family also illuminate the relationship between religion, politics, and public policy in the United States.
Learning outcome
After completing this course you will have:
- gained an understanding of the complexity of religious experience in a large, diverse, market-oriented country in which religious expressions are commonplace, despite the voluntary nature of religion without the apparatus of a state church;
- gained library skills that will allow you to investigate a problem independently;
- trained your skills in critical thinking and communication – both written and oral.
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Admission to the North America Area studies Master program, LAP or other relevant Master program.
Overlapping courses
10 credits overlap with NORAM2584 – Religion in American History (discontinued)
Teaching
Seminar, two hours per week for 14 weeks, 28 hours in all.
Attendance is an obligatory class requirement (80%). Additional absences must be justified (please contact the exam coordinator).
Qualifying assignments must be approved in order to take the home exam.
Examination
Three day take-home exam.
You submit your paper in Fronter in the course's "fellesrom". Read more about submission procedures
Previous exams: http://www.uio.no/studier/emner/hf/ilos/NORAM4584/Eksamensoppgaver/Eksamensoppgaver
Language of examination
English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
The results will be available on the StudentWeb within three weeks of the exam.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Once the course requirements have been fulfilled, they remain valid for the current and the next two semesters that the course is taught.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.