SECOND EIGHT WEEKS ONLY From the Great Awakening to the presidency
of George W. Bush, evangelicalism has played a critical role in
shaping American cultural and political institutions and practices.
Who are evangelicals?  What do they believe, and how do they
behave?  Should non-evangelicals be worried about them?  This course
explores the causes, nature, and implications of evangelical
influence through the lenses of history, literature, and religious
and cultural studies.  Assignments and classroom activities
incorporate a wide variety of cultural artifacts, including fiction,
poetry, autobiography, music, television, film, ethnography, and
food.  The course will develop skills in critical thinking, written
and oral communication, and analysis of primary and secondary
documents.  Evaluation of undergraduates will be based on
participation in classroom activities, two short papers, and midterm
and final examinations.  Graduate students will be responsible for
additional reading and for writing a research paper.