REL 255 - Topics: Religion in America (1)

How, why, and to what extent does religion influence American politics? And has politics shaped American expressions of religion? This course will examine the intersection of religion and politics in American society, from the founding of this nation to modern day. Although the number of people who regularly participate in religious communities decreased in past decades, religious beliefs and values have and continue to inform social activism, political rhetoric, and policy-making in diverse, complex, and sometimes surprising ways. We will read engaging historical surveys, provocative primary sources, and cutting-edge analysis of modern poll data and statistics to gain a greater grasp on how and why religion and politics mutually influence one another. Same course as POL 255.