History 691R Religion in the Early American Republic

Robert Cox
W.E.B. DuBois Library

Spring 2010, Tuesday, 6-8:30 p.m

Synopsis:

When Alexis de Tocqueville toured the United States in 1831-1832, he was struck by "the religious aspect" of the nation, and how religion pervaded both personal lives and the public sphere.  In this seminar, we will investigate recent historical writing on how religion got that way in the early Republic (1783-1861).  Among other topics, we will examine the sacralization of the American landscape in the late eighteenth century, questions of the relation of religion and the state, social power, personal identity, the genesis of the Second Great Awakening, and the varieties of religious experience and religious experimentation.  The class will require heavy reading and in-class discussion with a research paper and presentation.

Syllabus: Not available

Course Website: Not available