Although American workers historically have been more likely to hold religious beliefs and to be tied to religious institutions than have workers in France, Germany, England, and Italy, studies of American religion and studies of American labor alike generally have discounted this salient factor. Fortunately, the situation has begun to change.
In this seminar we will discuss the religious beliefs of American slaves, the social gospel movement, Christian socialism, Martin Luther King's and Cesar Chavez's work with unions, secular Jewish union militants, American workers' outlooks, Catholic labor priests, and the policies of conservative Christian employers. Readings highlight path-breaking scholarship in these areas. |