HNRS 285-02: Religious Civility?: Evolving Religious Traditions in American Politics

Scholars tend to approach questions about religion in democracy in a first amendment sense, attempting to articulate the degree of its separateness from government – to what extent can religion cooperate with government and at what point must government not interfere with religious organizations and practices. Instead, I want to pull American religion back into the democratic system that is necessary for its survival and vitality. In this view, religious organizations have responsibilities to maintain democracy for its own sake, but also instrumentally for religion’s own survival. Closely paralleling the path of my research, this seminar will explore whether debate and tolerance can come from church involvement, whether American religion can act in the interests of democracy by holding government to account, the efficacy of attempting to challenge the opinions and values of church members, as well as more traditional questions of to what extent must religiously-motivated behavior conform to the law.

Term: Fall 2009

Credits: 4

Fulfills: GE Requirement in Social Science (E)

Cross-listed: POSC 312-01

Meeting times: 13:30-14:20 MWF

Instructor: Paul Djupe