REL 374: American Religious Landscape

A survey of patterns of religious thought, practice and social organization in the United States over the last few decades, as seen from a broadly sociological perspective. Attention to denominationalism and ecumenism, the interplay of liberalism, fundamentalism and evangelicalism; "new religious movements;" parachurch organizations and interest groups, contemporary forms of spirituality, church and state, religion in "the public square," etc. Students will be given opportunity to focus individually on particular issues or religious groups that are of interest.