WesMaps - Wesleyan University Catalog 2022-2023       Summer Session       Winter Session       Home       Archive       Search
CS92PROD
American Christianities: What do Christians Want?

RELI 226
Fall 2022
Section: 01  
Course Cluster and Certificates: Christianity Studies

The course explores various forms of contemporary Christianity in the United States and focuses on the ambitions that guide Christian practices. One guiding question we will ask is, "What do American Christians want?" More converts? Social justice? Salvation? Money? A Christian nation? We will interrogate how ideals of salvation, justice, nationhood, and the family shape Christian social action. Religion is not only what groups think and believe, but also what they do. We will examine why Christians form separatist movements, fund global humanitarian efforts, travel on international missions, use digital media, support anti-abortion activism, and more. By considering a wide variety of Christian groups, we will critically evaluate the diverse social imaginaries, theological frameworks, and historical foundations that shape contemporary U.S. Christianities. This course uses methods from sociology, history, and anthropology. We will critically engage media produced by Christian practitioners.
Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS RELI
Course Format: SeminarGrading Mode: Student Option
Level: UGRD Prerequisites: None
Fulfills a Requirement for: (RELI-MN)(RELI)
Past Enrollment Probability: 50% - 74%

Last Updated on DEC-08-2024
Contact wesmaps@wesleyan.edu to submit comments or suggestions. Please include a url, course title, faculty name or other page reference in your email ? Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459