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Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: PS388 - Religion & Politics in America

Course Title:	PS388 - Religion & Politics in America
Department:	School of Political Science
Instructor:	Phil Braun, MBA, BSCS, E-Mail -- Vita
Prerequisites:	None

Purpose of the Course

Discusses relationship between religion and politics in American public life today, The course provides a historical and sociological context as well as the range of strategic choices open to different religious participants, enabling students to reach informed and balanced judgments about the role of religion in politics. It prepares a student to explore how and why political and religious actors choose to participate in the larger American0020culture. Also introduces students to the volatile mix of politics and religion in the late twentieth century and beyond.

Required Texts  Online Bookstore

Religion in Society: A Sociology of Religion, 8/E, by Ronald L. Johnstone, Ball State University. Prentice Hall, (Pearson Higher Education), 2006/2007.
Paperback: ISBN-10: 0131884077 ISBN-13: 9780131884076

Wall of Misconception, by Peter A. Lillback. Providence Forum Press, 2007/2008.
Hardcover Recommended: ISBN-10: 0978605233 ISBN-13: 9780978605230

Reflection and Reaction Papers

The texts utilized in this course present strong implications for society, politics, and the belief’s of American citizens. After reading the text, the candidate will be armed with tools for enlightenment; therefore, Reflection and Reaction Papers will best assess educational growth. There will be a total of four (4) Reflection and Reaction Papers. The first may be 1 page in length., the other papers should be 1 – 2 pages in length, double spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font. Each Reflection and Reaction Paper should focus on one or two chapters from the texts (only four to eight chapters will be represented in this series of assessments), answering the following questions:

• What case is the author from the chapter making? Summarize.
• What are your feelings toward the author’s assertions?
• What are your experiences, if applicable, with this topic?
• According to the author, what are the vehicle(s) for change – if any? Do you agree? Or What feelings/facts/thoughts drive the people described?
• What are your final thoughts and opinions?

The first paper is due at the end of Week 5. This will give you enough material to choose the chapter(s) you wish to write on. All papers can be based on any chapter(s), not just the ones read that week.

Final Position Paper

Also, the candidate will prepare a Final Position Paper that contrasts one of the chapters authored in the text with his or her own opinion. This chapter may be one where the candidate has prepared a Reflection and Reaction Paper, but not necessarily. The paper should be 2 – 3 pages in length, 12 point Times New Roman font, double spaced, with a brief bibliography. It is due at the end of Week 10. The candidate will

• State the position of the author, summarizing the implications of the chapter,
• State his/her opposing position,
• Provide personal rationale supporting his/her case and dispelling the author’s, and
• Provide an evidence base, with at least two sources, supporting his/her opposing position

Grades

Course work will be weighted as follows:
Reflection and Reaction Papers = 18 points each.
Final Position Paper = 28 points.

Grading Scale

A - 90% - 100%
B - 80% - 89%
C - 70% - 79%
D - 60% - 69%
F - 0% - 59%

COURSE OUTLINE

A student may proceed faster by doing two week’s of work in one week. This will benefit those taking this course over Christmas or a vacation break.

Week 1:
Reading Goals: Religion in Society: Chapters 1, 2, 3

Introduction to the Sociology of Religion

RIS Chapter 1: The Sociological Perspective
RIS Chapter 2: The Sources of Religion

The Social Organization of Religion

RIS Chapter 3: Religion As A Group Phenomenon

Week 2:
Reading Goals: Religion in Society: Chapters 4, 5, 6

RIS Chapter 4: The Church-Sect Continuum of Religious Organization
RIS Chapter 5: Becoming Religious
RIS Chapter 6: Religious Conflict

Week 3:
Reading Goals: Religion in Society: Chapters 7, 8, 9

Religion in Society

RIS Chapter 7: Religion and Politics
RIS Chapter 8: Religious Fundamentalism
RIS Chapter 9: Religion and the Economy

Week 4:
Reading Goals: Wall of Misconception: Pages 17 – 84
Religion in America

WOM The Article, The Letter, and The Response
WOM Chapter 1: God in the Public Square
WOM Chapter 2: The Pledge of Allegiance at the Intersection of Worldviews
WOM Chapter 3: The Ten Commandments and the Courthouse
WOM Chapter 4: The Separation of Church and State

Week 5:
Reading Goals: Wall of Misconception: Chapters 5 - 8
Turn in first Reflection and Reaction Paper.

WOM Chapter 5: Required Homage to a Creed That Is Not One’s Own
WOM Chapter 6: Tax Dollars and Faith-Based Ministries
WOM Chapter 7: The Integrity of The Gospel in Government Dress
WOM Chapter 8: The Government’s Worldview Perspective …

Week 6:
Reading Goals: Wall of Misconception: Chapters 9, 10
Turn in second Reflection and Reaction Paper.

WOM Chapter 9: George Washington’s Constitutional Precedents …
WOM Chapter 10: Conclusion

Week 7:
Reading Goals: Religion in Society: Chapters 12, 13

Religion in America

RIS Chapter 12: Major Historical Developments
RIS Chapter 13: Black and Native American Religion in America

Week 8:
Reading Goals: Religion in Society: Chapters 14, 15
Turn in third Reflection and Reaction Paper.

RIS Chapter 14: Denominational Society
RIS Chapter 15: The Future of Religion

Week 9:
Reading Goals: Religion in Society: Chapters 10, 11
Turn in fourth Reflection and Reaction Paper.

Religion in Society, Continued

Chapter 10: Religion and the Class System
Chapter 11: Women and Religion

Week 10:
Turn in Final Position Paper

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Recommended Additional Readings:
George Washington's Sacred Fire, by Peter A. Lillback & Jerry Newcombe.
Providence Forum Press, 2006.
Hardcover Recommened: ISBN: 097860525X ISBN-13: 9780978605254
Paperback: ISBN-10: 0978605268 ISBN-13: 9780978605261


Religion, Politics, and the Law: Commentaries and Controversies,
by Peter Schotten and Dennis Stevens. Wadsworth (Cengage), 1995/1996.
ISBN-10: 0534194885 ISBN-13: 9780534194888