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PS Religion in America- Lecturer
- Dr. Florian Tatschner
- Details
- Proseminar
2 cred.h, Sprache Englisch
Time and place: Wed 14:15 - 15:45, C 303
- Prerequisites / Organisational information
- This seminar is for those students specializing in American Studies and for those in General Studies who need credits in a "kulturwissenschaftliches Proseminar".
In American Studies it fulfils the “Politics & Culture Proseminar” requirement (Modul 201; 6 ECTS),
in General Studies the "Proseminar Culture" (Zwischenmodul II) requirement (Modul 211; 5 ECTS).
- Contents
- In this course, we will deal with the intersection of politics and religion in the (emerging) United States from its Puritan origins to contemporary discourses of religious diversity as rendered in various cultural representations. First, we trace the complex configuration of religions in the Americas via an analysis of intrareligious conflicts in 17th century New England between the Puritan establishment and dissident groups, such as the Quakers. We will ask, for instance, what role the Christian religion played in consolidating settler-colonial power? How did it play a role in subverting these very claims ? Moving into the 18th and 19th century, we are going to investigate the role of religion in the founding mythology of the United States. How did religion and politics merge to form what has been called a “civil religion” and how is this still present in contemporary US-society? We will also discuss the intersection of politics and religion concerning issues of race, gender, and class across time. What do Native American responses to western religions look like? How can feminist perspectives shed light on issues of religion? What role did religions play during the Civil Rights Movement? How have religions responded to the challenges of increasing religious pluralism and decolonization? To tackle on these questions, we will look at the intersection of religion and politics in different literary genres, such as speeches, sermons, and theological/political essays. We are also going to analyze visual representations, such as photographs and political posters, as well as examples from popular culture, for instance movies and contemporary TV-series like American Gods and Preacher.
- Additional information
- Department: Chair of American Studies (Prof. Dr. Paul)
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