HIST 3328

History of Religion in America

Fall 2022

Dr. Mark Stoll
Office: HH 135 Office hours: Monday, Wednesday 12:00–1:30; and by appointment
📧 Mark.Stoll@ttu.edu 🌐 http://www.markstoll.net/

“History of Religion in America” examines the ways that Americans have expressed and acted on religious belief from before Columbus until the present. The course investigates how religion has influenced (and been influenced by) society, ideas, economics, politics, gender relations, and many other historical factors. Through lecture, readings, and discussion, students will explore the sometimes strange and fascinating world of religion in America.

REQUIRED BOOKS

Allan Greer, Mohawk Saint: Catherine Tekakwitha and the Jesuits

Frank Lambert, The Founding Fathers and the Place of Religion in America

Paul E. Johnson and Sean Wilentz, The Kingdom of Matthias: A Story of Sex and Salvation in 19th-Century America, 2nd edition

Matthew Harper, The End of Days: African American Religion and Politics in the Age of Emancipation.

Edward J. Larson, Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America's Continuing Debate over Science and Religion

Randall J. Stephens, The Devil’s Music: How Christians Inspired, Condemned, and Embraced Rock ’n’ Roll

ASSIGNMENTS

60% total: Three midterm examinations (13%) and a cumulative final examination (21%)
30% total: Six readings quizzes
10%: A 4–6 page analytical book review

Exams: Exams will consist of short answers and an essay. Students will have an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of religious history as well as to engage issues raised in lectures and readings. Make-up exams will be given on the last Tuesday of classes only.

Quizzes: Quizzes will test students’ comprehension and understanding of the readings. Make-up quizzes will be given on the last Tuesday of classes only.

Paper: Students will write an analytical book review on a book of their choice, drawn from my bibliography (excluding edited collections of essays or books required for the course). Papers must be between four and six pages in length, double spaced, with one-inch margins all around, in 12-point Times New Roman, with a cover sheet, and stapled in the upper lefthand corner. Cite sources for quotations by putting the page number(s) in parentheses after the quotation marks and before any punctuation, thusly: (p. 57).

Grammar and punctuation must be correct. For links to online writing advice, see https://www.depts.ttu.edu/provost/uwc/undergraduate/index-original.php. Also, the University Writing Center (paid for by your fees!) would be happy to help you polish your writing. They can help you in person or via the Internet and can be reached through their Website. No footnotes or bibliography are needed.

Instructions for the analytical book review: For this review, students will select a book on religious history from the bibliography of American religious history on my Website. There is a full bibliography here http://www.markstoll.net/Bibliographies/US/Religious.htm and an abridged one here. Students may select a book not on the bibliography if I approve it. The book review will have three sections:

A short summary (not a table of contents or outline) of the book’s contents. This should not take more than a paragraph or two.
An explanation of the book’s thesis, with a discussion of how the author has supported the thesis. You can often find a statement of the book’s thesis in its preface, introduction, or conclusion. Reread these sections after you finish your book. (Ask me if you have any doubts. Many students miss or confuse the thesis!)
Most important, an analysis of the book, including how successful it is (or is not) in supporting its thesis, what the author’s bias (that is, his or her point of view) is, whether it agrees or disagrees with other class material, how it might be improved, how well it is written, and whether you agree with the book’s conclusions. Would you recommend it to others? Give examples to support each point of your analysis.

Late Papers: I accept late papers but deducts 5 points from the paper grade for each weekday they are late. Papers handed in after the beginning of class period on the day they are due are already late. No computer excuses accepted; give yourself extra time for last-minute disasters like printer problems, etc.
Plagiarism: Using text written by someone else (even in a close paraphrase) without clear and unambiguous acknowledgment is academic dishonesty and will result in an “F” for the course.

ATTENDANCE

I will take roll at the beginning of each class. Students with a perfect attendance record will receive three bonus points on their final grades. Students with more than two absences will receive one point off their final grades for each absence over two. The instructor will accept excuses in cases of true need as documented appropriately.

“Religious holy day” means a holy day observed by a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property taxation under Texas Tax Code §11.20. A student who intends to observe a religious holy day should make that intention known in writing to the instructor prior to the absence. A student who is absent from classes for the observance of a religious holy day shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence. A student who is excused under this provision may not be penalized for the absence; however, the instructor may respond appropriately if the student fails to complete the assignment satisfactorily.

§ Any student who, because of a disability, may require special arrangements in order to meet the course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make any necessary arrangements. Students should present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services during the instructor’s office hours. Please note: instructors are not allowed to provide classroom accommodations to a student until appropriate verification from Student Disability Services has been provided. For additional information, please contact Student Disability Services in Weeks Hall or call 806-742-2405.

§ Academic integrity is taking responsibility for one’s own work, being individually accountable, and demonstrating intellectual honesty and ethical behavior. Academic integrity is a personal choice to abide by the standards of intellectual honesty and responsibility. Because education is a shared effort to achieve learning through the exchange of ideas, students, faculty, and staff have the collective responsibility to build mutual trust and respect. Ethical behavior and independent thought are essential for the highest level of academic achievement, which then must be measured. Academic achievement includes scholarship, teaching and learning, all of which are shared endeavors. Grades are a device used to quantify the successful accumulation of knowledge through learning. Adhering to the standards of academic integrity ensures that grades are earned honestly and gives added value to the entire educational process. Academic integrity is the foundation upon which students, faculty, and staff build their educational and professional careers.

§ Students are responsible for understanding the principles and policies regarding academic integrity at Texas Tech University and abide by them in all class and/or course work at the University. Academic misconduct violations are outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. The University policies and procedures regarding academic integrity can be found in the Student Handbook. The Student Handbook and the Code of Student Conduct can be found online at www.ttu.edu/studenthandbook.

§ It is the aim of the faculty of Texas Tech University to foster a spirit of complete honesty and high standard of integrity. The attempt of students to present as their own any work not honestly performed is regarded by the faculty and administration as a most serious offence and renders the offenders liable to serious consequences, possibly suspension.

§ Academic or “Scholastic” dishonesty includes, but it not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, falsifying academic records, misrepresenting facts, and any act designed to give unfair academic advantage to the student (such as, but not limited to, submission of essentially the same written assignment for two courses without the prior permission of the instructor) or the attempt to commit such an act.

§ The Department of History adheres to Texas Tech University’s statement and related policies on issues of academic integrity as detailed in OP 34.12 (see above).

§ Any student found to be in violation of these policies will be subject to disciplinary action at both the departmental and university levels. At the departmental level, such action may include one or more of the following:

o a failing grade (F) for the assignment in question

o a failing grade (F) for the course

o a written reprimand

o disqualification from scholarships and/or funding