DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to the history of the diverse theological, cultural, and social implications of the African American Religious experience. Topics in this course will cover a broad spectrum ranging from the ancient African church, Religion and the slave trade, slavery and the development of the black church, to the rise of black protestant denominations, and religious movements outside Protestantism among African Americans such as Islam, Judaism, and nationalistic movements like Garveyism. To close, the civil rights movement and the role of the African American Religious experience in the Black church today will be discussed.

To broaden the historical understanding of African American Religion, and the contributions of African Americans to the churches historic development within American Religious History.

The course will consist of lectures, readings, discussions and presentations, meeting daily for four-hour sessions for two weeks. Pre-reading prior to the first class session is required.

Baer, Hans A. and Merrill Singer. African-American Religion in the Twentieth Century: Varieties of Protest and Accommodation. University of Tennessee Press, 1992.

Fulop, Timothy E. and Albert J. Raboteau, eds. African American Religion: Interpretive Essays in History and Culture. New York: Rutledge Publishing, 1997 (selected essays).

Raboteau Albert J. Slave Religion: The Invisible Institution in the Antebellum South. New York, Oxford University Press, 1990.

Prior to first meeting: Students will be expected to begin reading from the list of reading assignments made available through academic programs.

1. Written and oral in-class presentation on an aspect of African American Religious experience and how it relates to the Religious experiences of African Americans today (suggested topics available prior to class meeting) (40% written assignment, 10% class presentation).

2. Take home Exam (40% of final Grade).

3. Class attendance/participation (10% of final grade).

None.

Elective.

Yes. Take-home.