HI 460 Cross-Cultural Encounters

Manseau’s book has given us an overview of US religious history from the perspective of alternative / marginalized / persistent religious difference dating back to the nation’s earliest era. I have appreciated our lively discussion about this book and its argument.

This week, as a class, we’ll tackle some foundational common primary source texts in American religious history. Please read and prepare to discuss all of them, which might mean doing a little online research / legwork if they are unfamiliar to you. They are found under the new Key Texts tab, above.

Due to Monday’s snowstorm, this week’s schedule will be:

Meet in class on Wednesday to discuss all the documents, with journal post due FRIDAY, not Wednesday

For Monday 2/8 = Class cancelled due to snow, so read & study on your own these documents – Winthrop Modell of Christian Charity, Edwards Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Washington Letter to Touro Synagogue, Howe Battle Hymn, and Lincoln Second Inaugural

For Wednesday 2/10 = Prepare to talk about Monday’s documents AND…. your choice of African American spirituals, your choice of Ghost Dance primary sources, Corwin Benediction to “On a Note of Triumph,” Day Long Loneliness, and King “I Have a Dream.”

Journal 3 Prompt (extended deadline to FRIDAY 2/12): Write a detailed analysis of a primary source document in 600-700 words. You can choose any from this week’s key texts, or another of your own choosing. Use your research journal post to discuss, pick apart, analyze, explore, interrogate… etc… one document. If you need help with ideas on how to approach such an assignment, you might go back to Rampolla, A Pocket Guide to Writing in History which you should have bought & kept from Historian’s Craft, and review Chapters 3-5, especially part 3c.