Religions in America
Key Issues
(Essay Questions)

For each book, select one question and compose a thoughtful, analytical essay addressing the question (approximately 1000 words each). Be sure to include a thesis statement that reflects your own interpretation of the reading in answer to the question and support your thesis with several examples (evidence) drawn from the reading. Any quotes or paraphrasing must cite page number (parenthetical citations are sufficient unless you use resources beyond our text, in which case, full bibliography is required - MLA or APA format. Web sources should include the webpage URL).

Address at least one of these by the deadline for each book (additional questions – one per book – will be used to supplement grade for preparation and/or discussion):

Book I: Religion in Colonial America

  1. How inclusive was religion in early America?
  2. What was the meaning of the Great Awakening?
  3. How religious was the American Revolution?

Book II: Religion in 19th Century America

  1. What was the role of religion in the early republic?
  2. How did the frontier West shape American religion?
  3. How did slavery coexist with religion in antebellum America?
  4. How did religion impact the Civil War?
  5. How did religion in America respond to the "new" voice of science?
  6. How did the factory and the city influence American religion?

Book III: Religion in 20th Century America

  1. How did religion influence the emergence of America as a world power?
  2. What were the factors that divided Protestantism at the beginning of the 20th century?
  3. How did American religion respond to the secular challenges of the depression period?
  4. How did American religion deal with the pressures of the post-World War II period?
  5. How did religion in America contribute to the rise of the civil rights movement?
  6. How was American religion restructured at the close of the millennium?

Questions from: Critical Issues in American Religious History: A Reader Robert R. Mathisen

All students are to address this question at the end of the semester:

Religion has always been central to the national narrative and to America's sense of mission at home and abroad. How important do you think it will remain to the American story? What religious directions do you imagine the American story might take in the years ahead? (From PBS series God in America study guide discussion questions)