RELS 482/HUMN 400:  Seminar in Religious Studies
Religious Pluralism in America

Spring 2009
Tuesdays 7-9:50 p.m.
Langdon 106

Instructor:  Dr. Kate McCarthy
Trinity Hall 237
898-4485; kmccarthy@csuchico.edu
(Please use Vista e-mail for course-related communication.)
office hours:   Mondays and Thursdays 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., and by appointment

Overview

Religious diversity is a major concern in the United States because Americans are both persistently religious (in comparison other industrialized societies) and committed to ideals of religious freedom and tolerance.  If the United States is, as Diana Eck has said, “the world’s most religiously diverse nation,” what are we to make of that diversity?  This seminar aims to describe and analyze religious pluralism in the United States from a variety of disciplinary perspectives.  We will look at (1) historical and sociological assessments of American religious diversity, (2) philosophical and religious arguments about how to think about religious pluralism, (3) a variety of readings of contemporary sites of problematic inter-religious encounter—schools, families, etc.—and, (3) exploratory investigations of new directions in interfaith experiences.  As the capstone course for Religious Studies and Humanities majors, this is an opportunity to read new and recent research in a developing field, explore a topic of interest to you in greater depth than in prior coursework, and produce a significant piece of original research.

As a seminar, this course is highly participatory and will depend heavily on student initiative and leadership.  If one or more of us check out, the whole enterprise fails.  You must come to class each week not only having done the reading, but prepared to work with it in some significant way—presenting major themes to the class, offering critical assessments, referring us to related materials or arguments, etc.  Guidelines for this kind of participation will be provided.

Course Goals

It is hoped that by the end of the semester students will demonstrate the following competencies:

• General knowledge of the history and current configuration of religious diversity in the United States:  major groups, demographic trends, etc.
• Understanding of a range of religious and philosophical approaches to religious pluralism as articulated by scholars and religious institutions
• Familiarity with patterns in American responses to religious diversity in public policy
• The ability to think comparatively about religious studies methodologies, drawing on the tools and perspectives of such disciplines as anthropology, sociology, philosophy, theology, and history
• Competence in making clear, well organized, and substantive oral and written presentations
•  Ability to produce research paper or presentation that demonstrates facility with traditional and electronic religious studies resources, and usage of appropriate scholarly style and citation formats

Required Texts

1. Hutchison, William R. Religious Pluralism in America:  The Contentious History of a Founding Ideal.   Yale University Press, 2003.
2. McCarthy, Kate.  Interfaith Encounters in America.  Rutgers University Press, 2007.
3. Patel, Eboo.  Acts of Faith:  The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation.  Boston, Beacon Press, 2007.
4. Viteritti, Joseph P.  The Last Freedom:  Religion from the Public School to the Public Square.  Princeton University Press, 2007.
5. Wuthnow, Robert.  America and the Challenges of Religious Diversity.  Princeton University Press, 2005.
6. Additional articles, available on Vista and Electronic Reserve.

Requirements

attendance and participation: 50 points
Attendance and participation are critical to the success of a true seminar, which ideally is a kind of temporary and intensive community of learning. In case a sense of shared responsibility for collective learning is not enough to motivate you, be advised that a significant part of your grade will be determined by your commitment, as evidenced by attendance, participation, in-class assignments, etc.

mini-reports:  50 points (2 at 25 points each)
Early in the semester you will research and report on (1) one particular American religious community and (2) one religious tradition’s approach to religious pluralism.  5-8 minute presentations, 1-page summary for each.  Specific instructions will be provided.

reading responses: 100 points (10 at 10 points each)
To encourage you to keep up with the reading, and to develop your reading-for-research skills, you will be asked to submit reading responses for 10 readings over the course of the semester.  (You may skip one of these responses—probably for the session you are facilitating—and still receive ten points.)  Specific instructions will be provided.

facilitating discussion of readings: 100 points
Alone or in pairs (depending on enrollment), you will take responsibility for one of the major topics we’ll be covering and will facilitate our work for that session.  Give us outlines of key points; bring in additional print, electronic, or video materials; design an activity to engage us in the topic; offer your own critical assessment, etc. The goal is to help us understand and engage the relevant issues as effectively as possible.  1-page outline for the session.  Specific instructions will be provided.

research project: 200 points
In consultation with me, you’ll select a topic for your major research project and work on it throughout the course.  We’ll do this in steps and you’ll have some things to turn in along the way (proposal [25 points], annotated preliminary bibliography [25 points], complete draft [25 points], and presentation to the class [25 points]) in addition to the final paper (100 points). I will provide feedback on each of these stages to help guide you toward the finest possible final paper. (12-15 pages).  Alternative format projects, and collaboration with classmates, will be considered; speak with me early.  A detailed research guide will be provided.

TOTAL:              500 points

Other Things You Need to Know

Lateness:  In fairness to those who could have done better with more time, I will penalize late papers at the rate of 1/3 letter grade per business day.  For instance, a B+ paper that is two days late receives a B-

Office Hours:  Use them!  I am available to you to discuss course material, your progress, and general issues of women and/or religion.  We can talk in person during my scheduled hours, or by e-mail.  Talking with students is one of the most pleasurable aspects of my job, so don’t hesitate to use these opportunities. 
  
Students with Certified Disabilities:  Please notify me of any special needs relating to your disability within the first two days of the course.  I will make every effort possible to facilitate your success in this course.  Please note that you may be required to show documentation of your disability.

Academic Dishonesty:  If there is evidence that you have been involved in any form of academic dishonesty, you will receive an “F” grade for the course, and a report will be provided to Student Judicial Affairs for further action.  Be careful in all of work (classroom presentations as well as written assignments) to properly cite your sources (including online materials).  Please see the “Religious Studies Academic Integrity Policy” under “Student Resources” on the RELS Department Home Page for more information on what constitutes academic dishonesty and the departmental policy.  Ignorance of proper citation methods is not a legitimate excuse for violation of this policy.

Vista:  Assignments, announcements, and some readings will appear on Vista.  Please be sure to check regularly.