Religious Pluralism in Modern America

Instructor: John Smolenski, Department of History, College of Letters & Science

Description: This class will discuss the question of religious diversity in modern America. We will pay special attention to the difficulties Americans face balancing the nation’s traditional commitment to religious diversity and efforts to find common ground in an increasingly diverse society. Drawing on Martin Marty’s “The One and the Many: America’s Struggle for the Common Good” as the core text for the class, I hope that students will gain a new appreciation for the role that religion has played—and continues to play—in shaping American public life.

Format: This course will meet for two hours each week. Class time will be split between discussion of the weekly readings and student presentations on topics related to the course themes. All students will be required to give one presentation during the class. Grading: The class will be graded on a Pass/No Pass basis. Students will be graded on class participation (40%) and their presentation (60%).

About the Instructor: Dr. John Smolenski is an Assistant Professor in the History Department. His research deals with the origins of cultural and religious diversity in early America, and he teaches courses on early American history and the history of religion in the United States.