RELS 240 Religion and Social Reform

This course explores the dynamic relationship between religion and social reform in 19th-century and early 20th-century America. We will examine religious traditions as they influenced and were altered by American society and culture in transition and upheaval. The primary focus will be evangelical Protestant traditions with some attention to American Catholic and American Jewish traditions as well. Four major areas of social reform will frame the course: the abolition of slavery the struggle for women's rights labor and industrial conflicts and the social gospel reforms of the progressive era. We will use a variety of historical literary and sociological texts to develop new perspectives on this important period of American history.