REL 248

Race, Immigration and Religion in America

This course explores the complex relationship between three key themes in American history: immigration, race and religion. The course focuses specifically on the impact of four immigrant groups (Europeans, Africans, Latinos, and South Asians) on the religious landscape of America. The course spans the period from First European contact with Native Americans until the present. In this course, we examine how immigration has resulted in religious and cultural exchange, adjustment, retrenchment, and/or assimilation among the various cultures that have occupied the physical space of the U.S. over the course of the last six centuries. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of materials in this course, including primary documents, secondary documents, film and television, music, and material culture.

Units: 3.0