In the early decades of this century, Christian Nationalism has emerged as a powerful ideological and political force, contributing significantly to the election of a new generation of federal, state, and local leaders and to the shaping of their policies. Many observers consider Christian nationalism to be a contemporary movement, but crucial to understanding its current form and popularity is its deeply rooted persistence in American history. It has taken many different forms over four centuries, and for many Americans today it is simply part of our cultural tradition. This seminar will explore the deep background of Christian Nationalism in colonial New England, the American Revolution, anti-Catholicism in the 1840s, the Sacred Lost Cause of the post-bellum South, and the Second Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s, before turning to an extended examination of Protestant “Dominionism” and Catholic “Integralism,” complementary forms of the movement today.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 15

Crosslisted Courses:

Prerequisites: One 200-level course in Religious Studies, American Studies, American History, or American Politics; or permission of the instructor.

Distribution Requirements: HS or REP - Historical Studies or Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy

Typical Periods Offered: Fall

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall

Notes: