NORAM2584 – Religion in American History

Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Course content

This course presents religion as a central aspect of American history from the colonial period to the present. From the earliest beginnings of American history, diverse religious traditions competed and coalesced, forming a nation that was both uniquely religious and uniquely secular. Special focus will be given to the connections between religion and politics which resulted from this marketplace of ideas. The course will consider the ways in which religious faith has been the crucible through which Americans negotiated differences of national origin, race, ethnicity, and class to negotiate a common identity. Ideas about gender and gender roles, as well as sexual orientation and definitions of family also illuminate the relationship between religion, politics, and public policy in the United States.

Learning outcome

After completing this course you will have:

  • gained an understanding of the complexity of religious experience in a large, diverse, market-oriented country in which religious expressions are commonplace, despite the voluntary nature of religion without the apparatus of a state church;
  • improved your skills in reading and writing academic English.

Admission

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Prerequisites

Recommended previous knowledge

The course assumes a good proficiency in written and oral English. Although the course can be taken as a first course, we recommend at least ten credits in a relevant subject. NORAM1500 – American history (discontinued) and NORAM1505 – American Social History (discontinued) are particularly useful and highly recommended.

Overlapping courses

10 credits overlap with NORAM4584 – Religion in American History (discontinued)

Teaching

Seminar, two hours per week for 14 weeks, 28 hours in all.

Attendance is an obligatory class requirement (80%).Additional absences must be justified (please contact the exam coordinator).

Two small qualifying assignments must be approved in order to take the exam.

Examination

Four-hour written exam.

Previous exams: http://www.uio.no/studier/emner/hf/ilos/NORAM2584/eksamensoppgaver/eksamensoppgaver.html

Language of examination

English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

The results will be available on the StudentWeb within three weeks of the exam.

Explanations and appeals

Resit an examination

Withdrawal from an examination

It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.

Once the course requirements have been fulfilled, they remain valid for the current and the next two semesters that the course is taught.

Special examination arrangements

Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.

Evaluation

The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.

Facts about this course

Credits
10
Level
Bachelor
Teaching
Autumn 2012
Examination
Autumn 2012
Teaching language
English