Religion 279 - Christianity and Democracy

This course will explore the relationship between a family of religious traditions (Christianity) and an ideal of governance (democracy), both historically and theoretically.  Over the past two thousand years Christian traditions have existed within a wide range of systems of governance.  Very few of these have been democratic systems.  The history of Christian traditions includes substantive reflections on matters of governance by Christian thinkers and leaders;  it also includes substantive engagements between Christian institutions and governments of different kinds.  The arrival of democratic governance in the early modern period represented a new condition for Christian traditions, and these traditions have adapted to this condition in a wide variety of ways.  Through examination of both ancient and modern materials drawn from both Catholic and Protestant traditions we will survey these adaptations, with particular attention to the question of whether Christianity is a reliable support of democracy, a threat to democracy, or something in between.  Authors will include Augustine of Hippo;  Martin Luther;  John Calvin; Reinhold Niebuhr; Jerry Falwell; and David Gushee.

Fall Semester. Professor A. Dole.

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Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Close reading and analysis of unfamiliar texts; brief written reflections; classroom discussions and presentations; formally written papers.