ENG2508 – American Religion in the 20th Century

Religion in the United States has played a critical role in shaping American history. This course will provide an overview of 20th-century American religion, discussing significant persons, movements, and themes that influenced the nation’s religious, cultural, and political history.

The course will introduce students to three major themes related to 20th-century American religion. First, we will examine how the U.S. moved from a nation largely dominated by white Protestants to one that many scholars see as one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world. Although Christianity remains the dominant religion in the U.S., the course examines the historical impact of immigration on American religion, not only introducing to the U.S. new faith traditions, but challenging older traditions to adapt to the American context.

Second, the course will enable students to see how religion played a decisive role in major 20th century social movements. This will include campaigns leading to a short-lived constitutional amendment banning the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages, efforts to enact social welfare programs to aid the poor, and campaigns to build a just and sustainable world. We will highlight how religion, coming out of the country’s African American churches, was central to one of the most significant reform movements in American history: the civil rights movement led by Baptist minister, Martin Luther King, Jr.

Finally, we will study religion’s role in 20th century American politics. The course will enable students to understand the divisions that occurred among various Christian churches in the 20th century, exploring ways these divisions impacted the political culture of the U.S. Particular attention will be paid to the role that American evangelicals have had on 20th-century American politics.

Upon completing the course, students will be able to:

• Understand the centrality of religion’s role in American history.
• Identify key concepts that characterize 20th-century American religious history, with particular focus on important individuals, movements, and themes.
• Interpret how the historical development of American religion has played an important role in shaping the cultural and political contours of the U.S. today.
• Analyze how the historical context of American religion, compares and contrasts to Nordic and other European nations.

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If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Seminars, 2 hours per week for 10 weeks. 20 hours in all.

You are expected to read all assignments and come ready to discuss these in the seminars.

Obligatory activities:

• Students need to submit a draft term paper prospectus and sample bibliography, halfway through the course for instructor’s feedback on your topic. Read more here about rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for postponements. Information about guidelines for obligatory activities
• It is obligatory to show up for a minimum of 60% of the teaching. In this course you have to attend 6 of 10 seminars. The requirement is absolute.

The allowed absence limit will cover all absences, including illness. You will not be granted valid absences with documentation, even when the absence is due to something beyond your control.

In certain circumstances, i.e. serious or chronic illness, you could apply for special needs accommodations.

All obligatory activities must be approved in the same semester for you to sit the exam. Approved course requirements are only valid the semester you attend the course.

A term paper, portfolio or equivalent that has been submitted for grading may not be resubmitted in revised form.

If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline, this will be counted as an examination attempt.