POLI 242 - Religion and Politics in the United States

Semester Offered: Spring
1 unit(s)

Everyone knows not to discuss politics or religion in polite company, yet Americans never seem to stop talking about religion in politics. From the sharply competing vision of the colonial Puritans and Baptists, through social and political movements as varied as the abolitionist, Know-Nothing, temperance, pacifist, and civil right movements, to the rise of the contemporary “religious rights” against a backdrop of increasing diversity in religious belief (and unbelief) and practice, religion continually influences political outcomes in diverse and often unexpected ways. This class considers both historical and contemporary intersections of religion and politics, such as the “culture wars” over issues including abortion and same-sex marriage; the possible impact of Pope Francis; and constitutional debates over creches, creationism, contraception, and so on. Mr. Lindeman.