HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICAN CHRISTIANITY IN CONTEMPORARY ERA SP

The course is part of the interdisciplinary activities of the Master’s Degree Program in History from the Middle Ages to the Present, The course aims at the following objectives:
- to apply historical methodology to North American Christianity in contemporary age;
- to study and discuss the historical phenomena related to North American Christianity in the contemporary age in a multidisciplinary context;
- to develop learning skills that are necessary to teaching history, with particular regard to the history of North American Christianity and the contemporary history.

This course has three broad goals: 1. introduce students to the History of North American Christianity since 1945, with particular attention on American Catholicism; 2. interrogate primary sources to understand historical facts; 3. hone students’ skills in reading, writing, discussing.
The course aims at the following learning objectives:
- to analyze and interpret primary sources, including written texts, film, photographs, and material culture and to read secondary sources critically and effectively;
- to develop oral and literary competencies as well as research skills through independent and corporate analysis of primary and secondary sources;
- to place contemporary North American Christianity in its historical and cultural context;
- to identify significant people, places, and events in the North American Christianity;
- to think critically about the relationship between contemporary Christianity and American identity;
- to carry out innovative research in the history of North American Christianity in Contemporary Era;
- to communicate and debate developments and problems of the history of Christianity in North America since 1945.

General knowledge in the history of Christianity in Contemporary Era and history of North America since 1945. To fill the knowledge gap students can read: Andrew Preston, Sword of the Spirit, Shield of Faith. Religion in American War and Diplomacy, Anchor Books, New York, 2012.

This course explores Christianity in North America since 1945. After a short introduction on the previous period, the course will investigate the development of the main Christian denominations in the United States and their relationships with American identity. A particular attention will be dedicated to Catholicism. Classes will explore several topics where North American Christianity played important roles, such as the Vietnam war, the civil rights movement, feminism, charismatic revival, abortion and pro-life politics, etc.

On North American Christianity: Mark Noll, A History of Christianity in the United States and Canada, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, 1992 (selected chapters).
On North American Catholicism: Patrick W. Carey, Catholics in America: A History, Praeger, Westport, Connecticut, 2004 (selected chapters); Charles R. Morris, American Catholic: The Saints and the Sinners Who Built America’s Most Powerful Church, Times Books, New York, 1997 (selected chapters); James T. Fisher, Communion of Immigrants: A History of Catholics in America, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2008 (selected chapters).
A list of short readings for seminars will be provided the first week.

Oral and written exam. The following activities will be assessed:
- active participation in class discussions;
- a research paper (it will be explained in a separated document to be handed out to students at the end of the first week);
- class presentation of the research paper;
- oral exam on the reading list;
The highest grade obtainable is 30/30 with honors.

Grade Breakdown:
Class participation 20%
Research Paper 30%
Class presentation 10%
Final Exam 40%

This course features lectures and discussions. In every class professor’s lecture will be followed by a discussion on an assigned source, primary or secondary, using a seminar format. During lectures, the professor will provide questions and ideas with which students can interpret the sources. Students could choose these sources to write their research papers. Professor will also use active learning tools while in class (quizzes, short videos, polls, etc.).

English

Although consistent attendance is an important element for comprehending course materials and develop critical thinking during discussions, non-attending students can replace this class work writing an agreed number of response papers (a response paper is a response to the readings assigned for seminars. Response papers should be 2-3 pages, 1,5-spaced).

written and oral