What courses do you teach?
Most years I offer at least one survey of American religions--Religion
in the United States (RS351) or Religion and Society in North
America (RS233)--plus at least one course selected from several
versions of Topics in North American Religion (RS355) or Seminar
in North American Religion (RS430). The latter courses build on
my surveys to focus in more depth on selected issues, such as
religion and politics, popular religion, the US in global contexts,
and Protestant social thought. Sometimes I teach world religions
(RS101), religious studies methods (RS300), Contemporary Religious
Thought and Practice (RS305), and courses in our honors curriculum.
(Note: this reflects changes in our major starting Fall 2009.)
Do they count toward UT requirements?
101, 233, and 305 meet lower division requirements. 351, 355,
and 430 count for upper-level U.S. Studies. Courses numbered 300
and up count for the religious studies major and minor. 351 counts
toward the majors in history and American Studies. Various versions
of 355 and 430 may count (directly or by petition) toward majors
in history, American Studies, and Global Studies.
Can I develop a concentration on religion in the US?
UT has ample resources to develop a package of courses in this
field, either as a focus area within a religious studies major
or as a supplement to another major such as history, anthropology,
American Studies, global studies, or College Scholars. Using the
religious studies major as a structure for developing this expertise
requires conscious planning, because this major is geared to breadth
in global traditions; one could complete it with only one course
on the Americas. For advice on how to use a religious studies
major or minor as a vehicle for creating a concentration in American
religions, click here.
Special courses and teaching initiatives:
I have directed UT's Semester in Wales and helped develop several
team-taught courses, including two sponsored by UT's cultural
studies colloquy. In an ongoing effort to improve my teaching,
I have received four grants for technological enhancements of
my courses. I participated in a Teaching and Learning Colloquy
of the Wabash Center, a follow-up project (funded by the Wabash
Center) to improve teaching on Christianity in Southern public
universities, a summer seminar of the American Social History
Project and National Endowment for the Humanities, and a fellowship
(sponsored by the American Academy of Religion, Lilly Foundation,
and National Endowment for the Humanities) on teaching religion
in the South.
Sample Syllabi
Religion in the United States (RS 351) 2008
Theory and Method in the Study of Religion (RS 503) 2007
U.S. Cultural Identity in Global Perspective, (AS 355), 2006
The Political Culture of Postwar Protestantism (Religious Studies/American
Studies 355, 2005
Religion in Global Perspective (RS 101), 2004.
Approaches to Cross-Cultural Understanding (Integrative Seminar,
UT Semester in Wales, 2000)
What courses do you teach?
Most years I offer at least one survey of American religions--Religion in the United States (RS351) or Religion and Society in North America (RS233)--plus at least one course selected from several versions of Topics in North American Religion (RS355) or Seminar in North American Religion (RS430). The latter courses build on my surveys to focus in more depth on selected issues, such as religion and politics, popular religion, the US in global contexts, and Protestant social thought. Sometimes I teach world religions (RS101), religious studies methods (RS300), Contemporary Religious Thought and Practice (RS305), and courses in our honors curriculum. (Note: this reflects changes in our major starting Fall 2009.)
Do they count toward UT requirements?
101, 233, and 305 meet lower division requirements. 351, 355, and 430 count for upper-level U.S. Studies. Courses numbered 300 and up count for the religious studies major and minor. 351 counts toward the majors in history and American Studies. Various versions of 355 and 430 may count (directly or by petition) toward majors in history, American Studies, and Global Studies.
Can I develop a concentration on religion in the US?
UT has ample resources to develop a package of courses in this field, either as a focus area within a religious studies major or as a supplement to another major such as history, anthropology, American Studies, global studies, or College Scholars. Using the religious studies major as a structure for developing this expertise requires conscious planning, because this major is geared to breadth in global traditions; one could complete it with only one course on the Americas. For advice on how to use a religious studies major or minor as a vehicle for creating a concentration in American religions, click here.
Special courses and teaching initiatives:
I have directed UT's Semester in Wales and helped develop several team-taught courses, including two sponsored by UT's cultural studies colloquy. In an ongoing effort to improve my teaching, I have received four grants for technological enhancements of my courses. I participated in a Teaching and Learning Colloquy of the Wabash Center, a follow-up project (funded by the Wabash Center) to improve teaching on Christianity in Southern public universities, a summer seminar of the American Social History Project and National Endowment for the Humanities, and a fellowship (sponsored by the American Academy of Religion, Lilly Foundation, and National Endowment for the Humanities) on teaching religion in the South.
Sample Syllabi
Religion in the United States (RS 351) 2008
Theory and Method in the Study of Religion (RS 503) 2007
U.S. Cultural Identity in Global Perspective, (AS 355), 2006
The Political Culture of Postwar Protestantism (Religious Studies/American Studies 355, 2005
Religion in Global Perspective (RS 101), 2004.
Approaches to Cross-Cultural Understanding (Integrative Seminar, UT Semester in Wales, 2000)