HIST 3328

History of Religion in America

Fall 2026

Dr. Mark Stoll
Office: Humanities 454 Office hours: Monday, Wednesday 11:00–12:30; and by appointment
📧 Mark.Stoll@ttu.edu 🌐 http://www.markstoll.net/

“History of Religion in America” examines the ways that Americans have expressed and acted on religious belief from before Columbus until the present. The course investigates how religion has influenced (and has been influenced by) society, ideas, economics, politics, gender relations, and many other factors throughout history. Through lecture, readings, and discussion, students will explore the fascinating and sometimes strange world of religion in America.

REQUIRED BOOKS

Allan Greer, Mohawk Saint: Catherine Tekakwitha and the Jesuits

Steven Waldman, Founding Faith: Providence, Politics, and the Birth of Religious Freedom in America

Paul Johnson and Sean Wilentz, The Kingdom of Matthias: A Story of Sex and Salvation in Nineteenth-Century America

Butler, Jon. God in Gotham: The Miracle of Religion in Modern Manhattan

Putz, Paul Emory. The Spirit of the Game: American Christianity and Big-Time Sports

Payne, Leah. God Gave Rock and Roll to You: A History of Contemporary Christian Music

ASSIGNMENTS

60% total: Three midterm examinations (13%) and a cumulative final examination (21%)
30% total: Six readings quizzes
10%: A 4–6 page analytical book review

Exams: Exams will consist of short answers and an essay. Students will have an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of religious history as well as to engage issues raised in lectures and readings. Make-up exams will be given on the last Tuesday of classes only.

Quizzes: Quizzes will test students’ comprehension and understanding of the readings. Make-up quizzes will be given on the last Tuesday of classes only.

Paper: Students will write an analytical book review on a book of their choice, drawn from my bibliography (excluding edited collections of essays or books required for the course). Papers must be between four and six pages in length, double spaced, with one-inch margins all around, in 12-point Times New Roman, with a cover sheet, and stapled in the upper lefthand corner. Cite sources for quotations by putting the page number(s) in parentheses after the quotation marks and before any punctuation, thusly: (p. 57).

Grammar and punctuation must be correct. For links to online writing advice, see https://www.depts.ttu.edu/provost/uwc/undergraduate/index-original.php. Also, the University Writing Center (paid for by your fees!) would be happy to help you polish your writing. They can help you in person or via the Internet and can be reached through their Website. No footnotes or bibliography are needed.

Instructions for the analytical book review: For this review, students will select a book on religious history from the bibliography of American religious history on my Website. There is a full bibliography here http://www.markstoll.net/Bibliographies/US/Religious.htm and an abridged one here http://www.markstoll.net/HIST3328/2022/Short_bib.htm.Students may select a book not on the bibliography if I approve it. The book review will have three sections:

A short summary (not a table of contents or outline) of the book’s contents. This should not take more than a paragraph or two.
An explanation of the book’s thesis, with a discussion of how the author has supported the thesis. You can often find a statement of the book’s thesis in its preface, introduction, or conclusion. Reread these sections after you finish your book. (Ask me if you have any doubts. Many students miss or confuse the thesis!)
Most important, an analysis of the book, including how successful it is (or is not) in supporting its thesis, what the author’s bias (that is, his or her point of view) is, whether it agrees or disagrees with other class material, how it might be improved, how well it is written, and whether you agree with the book’s conclusions. Would you recommend it to others? Give examples to support each point of your analysis.

Late Papers: I accept late papers but deduct 5 points from the paper grade for each weekday they are late. Papers handed in after the beginning of class period on the day they are due are already late. No computer excuses accepted; give yourself extra time for last-minute disasters like printer problems, etc.
Plagiarism: Using text written by someone else (even in a close paraphrase) without clear and unambiguous acknowledgment is academic dishonesty and will result in an “F” for the course. Use of AI is not currently permitted. The instructor, at his discretion, may quiz the student about the paper and book either orally or in writing.

ATTENDANCE

I will take roll at the beginning of each class. Students with a perfect attendance record will receive three bonus points on their final grades. Students with more than two absences will receive one point off their final grades for each absence over two. The instructor will accept excuses in cases of true need as documented appropriately.

ELECTRONICS IN THE CLASSROOM

Because electronic devices distract both the student and other students around them, all electronic devices must be turned off during class time. That includes cell phones or laptops. Students using cell phones in class will be asked to leave and will be counted absent for the day. Laptops may be used only if the instructor gives permission, but students must use the computer for class-related activities only, such as note-taking. This means no e-mail, social media, Internet surfing, video watching, or other non-academic activities. If, during an exam, a student is seen using any electronic device, the exam will be collected immediately and receive a failing grade.

Texas Tech Policies Concerning Academic Honesty, Special Accommodations for Students with Disabilities, Student Absences for Observance of Religious Holy Days, and Accommodations for Pregnant Students:

These statements can be found at this URL: <https://www.depts.ttu.edu/tlpdc/RequiredSyllabusStatements.php>

AI Policy:

The use of generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT) is not permitted in this course; therefore, any use of AI tools for work in this class may be considered a violation of Texas Tech’s Academic Integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct since the work is not your own. The use of unauthorized AI tools will result in referral to the Office of Student Conduct.

§ The Department of History adheres to Texas Tech University’s statement and related policies on issues of academic integrity <https://www.depts.ttu.edu/tlpdc/PlagiarismStatement.pdf>.

§ Any student found to be in violation of these policies will be subject to disciplinary action at both the departmental and university levels. At the departmental level, such action may include one or more of the following:

o a failing grade (F) for the assignment in question

o a failing grade (F) for the course

o a written reprimand

o disqualification from scholarships and/or funding

Required educational jargon section: Expected Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able to (1) describe major people, events, and themes in the history of American religious thought and practice; (2) describe mutual influence of religion and society and politics; and (3) explain the development of religious institutions and ideas. Regarding issues in American religious history, they will also be able to (1) think critically, and demonstrate an understanding of the possibility of multiple interpretations, cultural contexts, and values; (2) develop analytical arguments in written and/or oral forms; and (3) evaluate events, ideas, and artistic expressions in terms of multiple cultural contexts and value systems

Assessment of Expected Learning Outcomes: Student learning will be assessed through some or all of the following: objective and essay exams, reading quizzes, analytical book reviews, and discussion, graded according to the criteria listed on the professor’s Website and weighted as described in the syllabus. Naturally.

History 3328 Course Schedule: Fall 2026

Aug 24 Introduction: What is religion?

Aug 26 Religions of Native America

Aug 28 The Evolution of European Religion

Aug 31 The Evolution of European Religion, cont.

Sep 2 The Reformation

Sep 4 Rise of English Puritanism

Sep 7 Labor Day--No class

Sep 9 Quiz: Greer, Mohawk Saint

Sep 11 Puritan New England

Sep 14 Puritan New England, cont.

Sep 16 Troubles in New England

Sep 18 EXAMINATION #1

Sep 21 The Great Awakening

Sep 23 Quiz: Waldman, Founding Faith

Sep 25 Establishment and Diversity

Sep 28 Enlightenment and Religion

Sept 30 Religion and Revolution

Oct 2 Religion in the New Nation

Oct 5 Quiz: Johnson and Wilentz, The Kingdom of Matthias

Oct 7 The Second Great Awakening

Oct 9 The Second Great Awakening in the North

Oct 12 The Second Great Awakening in the North, cont.

Oct 14 EXAMINATION #2

Oct 16 Mormonism

Oct 19 Quiz: Butler, God in Gotham

Oct 21 Unitarianism and Transcendentalism

Oct 23 Religion and the Civil War

Oct 26 Religion and the Civil War, cont.

Oct 28 Science and Protestantism

Oct 30 Catholicism in the nineteenth century

Nov 2 Quiz: Putz, The Spirit of the Game

Nov 4 Catholicism in the nineteenth century, cont.

Nov 6 EXAMINATION #3

Nov 9 Catholicism in the nineteenth century, cont.

Nov 11 Liberal Protestantism

Nov 13 The Social Gospel

Nov 16 Quiz: Payne, God Gave Rock and Roll to You

Nov 18 Fundamentalism

Nov 20 Religion between the World Wars

Nov 23 Jews in America

Nov 25-29 Thanksgiving Break--No class

Nov 30 The Churches in the Fifties and Sixties
Book review due

Dec 1 All Make-Up Exams and Quizzes, All Day

Dec 2 Sixties and Seventies: Transformation of Popular Religion

TENTATIVE Dec 7 — Monday — 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.