Resources
A 1995 course by Terry Matthews at Wake Forest University seeks to develop " an appreciation of the rich religious history of the South, as well as an awareness of the intellectual, moral, political, social and economic forces that helped mold the region and give it a distinctive ethos." Attention is paid to the often-overlooked experience of African Americans, Roman Catholics, and Jews in the South in addition to Protestantism.
A 2013 course by Wendy Cadge at Brandeis University asks "what religion is, how it is present and influential in public and private life, and how and where people from different religious traditions interact in the contemporary United States. Specific attention is devoted to peopleâs religious practices, religious communities, and the identities people develop through their religious traditions."
A 2011 course by Jennell Botello at Florida International University traces "the historical development and influence of religion in the United States and particularly its influence on American culture."
A 2013 course by Brad Starr at California State University, Fullerton, is an "Interdisciplinary exploration of major theories, developments, and documents connected to the relationship between religious practices and motivations for engaging in, preventing, or rejecting violent behavior."
A 2012 course by Martha Reineke at the University of Northern Iowa tools "from the mimetic theory of Rene Girard" to explore religion and violence in the contemporary period.
A 2010 course by Mark Hulsether at the University of Tennesee, Knoxville, "explores the intersections among religion, culture, and society in North America, especially in recent years" with special attention to "key sociopolitical issues such as empire, race and gender contestation, and consumerism."
A 2002 course by Amir Hussain and Crerar Douglas at California State University, Northridge, includes "a close reading of Blake's biography . . . [and] the art and poetry that he created."
A course by Stephanie Mitchem at the University of South Carolina employs anthropology of religion methods to study religious healing.
A 2012 course by Joel Kaminsky at Smith College moves chronologically through the prophets of ancient Israel asking "What are the different types of prophets that are found within the Hebrew Bible? What role did the prophets play within their larger society? Did different prophets deliver different, or even conflicting prophecies? Can one tell a true prophet from a false prophet? What sort of person became a prophet? What psychological dispositions do prophets exhibit? If prophecy is not simply fortune telling, what is it? "
A 2012 course by Debra Mumford at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary "is an advanced preaching course which provides an overview of principles for developing and delivering sermons beyond the purview of Basic Preaching. Sermons the students will learn to create include: doctrinal, social justice, wedding, funeral, Advent and Lenten sermons."