PCC/ CCOG / HST

Course Content and Outcome Guide for HST 246

Date:
10-MAR-2011
Posted by:
Curriculum Office
Course Number:
HST 246
Course Title:
Religion in U.S. to 1840
Credit Hours:
4
Lecture hours:
40
Lecture/Lab hours:
0
Lab hours:
0
Special Fee:
 

Course Description

Covers the basic features and effects of Native American religious revitalization movements, European backgrounds of Christian denominations, development of different religious groups, church-state relations, the struggle for religious liberty and how they shaped the beliefs, behaviors and institutions of colonial America and the early United States. Prerequisite: WR 115, RD 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement test scores. Audit available.

Intended Outcomes for the course

After successful completion of HST 246 the student will be able to: 

· Articulate an understanding of the nature, key events and impact of religion on colonial America and early U.S. life and culture.
· Recognize and appreciate the value of a diversity of religious beliefs, behaviors and institutions and how they influenced churchstate relations and the struggle for the free exercise of religion.
· Identify culturally-grounded assumptions which have influenced the perceptions and behaviors of various religious groups in order to assess how beliefs affect behavior and institutions.
· Communicate effectively regarding issues in the history of religion in the United States.
· Connect religious heritage with contemporary religious issues to create a more informed
perspective and enhance civic engagement.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

The SAC expects that instructors will assess student learning throughout the term using a variety of methods.  The SAC encourages instructors to consider the following in determining the achievement of course outcomes: 

  • Analyze primary and secondary sources of information.
  • Individual or team oral presentations.
  • Formal written papers that present and analyze historical topics or issues.
  • Participation in, and contribution to large and small group discussions and activities.
  • Quizzes, exams, and exercises.
  • Evaluate different interpretations of the same event.
  • Associate past events to contemporary times.

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

 
Themes
  • The origins and development of religious beliefs or practices
  • Relationship between religion and politics
  • Religious movements, revivalism
  • Theological commonalities among religious faiths
  • Intolerance
  • Religion and social movements
Concepts
  • Freedom of Religion
  • Civic religion
  • Religious pluralism
  • Self-understanding of the faithful (world view)
  • Millennialism
  • Syncretism
  • Social justice

Issues

  • Traditional religions
  • Freedom of Religion
  • Spiritual belief and individual conscience (dissension)
  • Ethnicity, gender and social class
  • Inter- and intra-religious controversies
  • Religious “awakenings”
  • Religious acculturation
  • Proselytizing
  • Modernism
COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS
  • Critical thinking
  • Evaluate interpretations of historical events
  • Effective communication orally and in writing
  • Analyze the causal relationship between two or more historical events
  • Problem solving
  • Working collaboratively with others
  • Clearly articulate thoughts to a given audience
  • Close reading of primary and secondary sources by drawing on prior knowledge