(13 970)
- V - |
American Religion, Politics and Law
(Zu der Vorlesung findet das Seminar 13971 statt.)
(2 SWS) (in Englisch); Mo 12.00-14.00 - Lansstr. 7-9, Raum 340 |
(11.4.) |
Winston Davis |
| A study of the tension between religious and secular interpretations of American history and political practice. Topics covered include: the European background of American constitutionalism (religious wars, persecution and toleration): Lockean "liberalism"; the "original intent" of the Founding Fathers; the role of Deists and sectarians in the creation of religious freedoms; the "free exercise," "establishment" and "free speech" clauses of the First Amendment to the Constitution; the treatment of minorities (Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Scientists, Jews, members of Santeria, the Amish and Native Americans) by the Supreme Court; religion in public schools and universities; the "under God" clause in the Pledge to the Flag; the problem of religious symbolism in public places; the public funding of "faith-based initiatives"; the taxation of church property; conscientious objection; the history of American secularism and the rights of secularists; and the teaching of "creation science" in public schools. The class will also discuss the voting patterns of various denominations and their "elective affinity" with the political parties and movements; political consequences of the decline of "mainline" Protestantism and the rise of the Religious Right; religion and "single-issue" politics; controversies over civil religion; the problem of the constitutional definition of religion and cult; recent change in the Supreme Court's "doctrine" of religion; and a comparison of the religion clauses of the US Constitution and the German Grundgesetz. Readings, lectures and discussion in English. |
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(13 972)
- V - |
American Religion and Society
(Zu der Vorlesung findet das Seminar 13973 statt.)
(2 SWS) (in Englisch); Do 12.00-14.00 - Lansstr. 7-9, Raum 340 |
(14.4.) |
Winston Davis |
| A comprehensive survey of the role of religion in the development of American society and culture. Topics covered include: the European background of the American denominations; the nature of church, sect, denomination and cult in the USA; civil religion; voting patterns of the various denominations; the religions of Native Americans ("Indians"), Blacks; revivalism; American Judaism; Asian-American religions; the decline of "mainline" Protestant denominations and the rise of fundamentalism, neo-conservatism, televangelism and New Age spirituality. The lectures will also highlight the contributions of specific thinkers and/or reformers including Jonathan Edwards, R.W. Emerson, William James, Walter Rauschenbusch, John Dewey, Reinhold Niebuhr, Paul Tillich and Martin Luther King, Jr. Special attention will be given to the development of the theory and practice of denominationalism, religious freedom, the role of the First Amendment, the ideal of the separation of church and state, and the impact of the Religious Right and religious lobbies on contemporary politics and foreign policy. Readings, lectures and discussion in English. |
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