RELI/AFAM 4201/6201: 

AFRICAN AMERICAN RELIGIOUS HISTORY (Sp 08)

             

Dr. Sandy Dwayne Martin, Professor       

                                                                       

Department of Religion - UGA                       Name ____________________________

Room 213, Peabody Hall - (706) 542-5356    Date _______________________________

martin@uga.edu

Office Hours:  M, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.;  Tu/Th/Fri, 2:00-3:30

Spring Semester 2008

 

Course Description

 

      The course will survey the development and impact of African American religion from its African roots to the present.  It covers the origins of major and some minority black religious traditions, religious leaders, major issues facing the African American community, and the interaction between religion and other aspects of culture.

 

Course Significance

 

      One of the most significantly influential phenomena within any nation or culture is its religion or set of religions.  The religious tradition, among African Americans, in all of its specifics and varieties, is no exception.  Black religious groups have had profound impact upon the African American community, the wider American community, and societies in various parts of the world.  Therefore, we must engage ourselves in a study of black American religion if we are to understand more fully our studies in politics, sociology, anthropology, music, art, etc.,  particularly as they relate to American history and culture.  Furthermore, a study of black religious history benefits us as we seek to understand contemporary black churches, Islamic movements, and other black religious groups/organizations.

 

Course Objectives

 

      The basic, primary goal of this course is to examine the crucial role that religious ideas, institutions, movements, and personalities have played in the historical theater of African American and general American life.  This overall objective may be rephrased and expressed in several specific aims of examining, among others:

 

      1)   major and some minority black religious groups in American history;

2)    black religious personalities in American history;

      3)   the variety of religious institutions, movements, and ideas among African Americans;

      4)   relationship between religion and other aspects of culture;

      5)  to introduce students to a greater knowledge of cultural diversity in the American experience.

 

Texts and Resources

 

Required Texts (UGA Book Store)

 

1.  Albert Raboteau, Canaan Land:  A Religious History of African Americans

2. Milton C. Sernett, ed.,  African-American Religious History:  A Documentary Witness, Second Edition

3.   Sandy Dwayne Martin., For God and Race        

     

  Note: The readings, listed on the course outline on following pages,  have two major divisions.  Readings A are required readings for both undergraduate students enrolled in Reli 4201 and graduate students enrolled in Reli 6201.  Readings B are required readings for graduate students and recommended readings for undergraduates.

 

Course Requirements / Grading

 

       For 4201:  there will be three (3) prefinal examinations and the final examination;  each counts equally (25%) for a total possible 100%.  For 6201:  there will be two prefinal exams, one paper, and the final examination;  each counts equally (25%) for a total 100% grade.  There will be two class essays of 3-5 pages.  They will be factored into two of the exam grades. Assuming attendance is regular and prompt, it is possible to secure up to an additional 1.5% points for class participation and regular and prompt attendance. 

 

       Lack of regular and prompt attendance, however, will be penalized.  See following section.

 

Attendance Policy and Grades

 

       IMPORTANT NOTE:  Attendance and classroom participation are absolutely required. Each period missed by a student with an unexcused absence beyond THREE class periods will mean the loss of 2 percentage points from the final semester grade average -- that is, two points for each unexcused absence above THREE class periods. In addition, students must attend a total of 20 class sessions in order to receive a passing grade in the course.  An excused absence is recognized by the professor as an absence that is unavoidable for emergency or vitally pressing reasons.

 

       Also, the professor,  in addition to the grading formula outlined above,  may consider regular class attendance and classroom participation in assessing each studentÕs final grade.  Therefore, class attendance and classroom participation might prove to be a very crucial, determinative factor in cases where the average is borderline between two grades.

 

       NOTE:    Students are required to take all exams. Students who miss an exam for non-sufficiently valid reason(s) will be assigned "0" for that exam, which will be computed as part of the final grade.

 

       When an attendance sign-up sheet is not passed around, then the class roll will be taken 5 minutes after time for class is scheduled to begin.   Students arriving 6-10 minutes late will be marked extra late;    two extra  lates equal one absence.  A student not present within the first 10 minutes of each class session will be marked absent for that class session and is requested not to enter the class during that period.

 

In more detail:

 

       Consistent with the instructor's own educational philosophy and the rules and regulations of the University of Georgia, attendance,  regular and prompt, and for the entire duration of the class sessions, is required.   Students who have unavoidable appointments or unavoidable obligations that require their absence during any portion of the class time should see the professor prior to or as soon after the date of the appointment/obligation as possible because under no circumstances whatsoever should students leave class before it is dismissed by the professor.  Students who cannot stay for the entire class period must miss that class period rather than leave during class time.  Failure to abide by this policy will result in being marked absent for the entire class session and removal from class if the professor believes such becomes necessary.   

       Of course students must attend class on the examination days.  Students are 100% responsible for all information missed because of absences.  Exam dates are subject to change with at least a one-week notice.  Students are responsible for keeping abreast of all exam schedules originally projected or revised.  

       This class will be largely lecture in nature.  The professor will attempt to provide time for class discussion and participation.  The professor will consider participation and discussion in determining final grades in borderline situations between two grades.

       An excused absence is one for which a student has written proof (if at all attainable) that one's absence was necessitated by a valid cause, e.g., incapacitating illness, death in one's immediate or close family or of someone close to the student.  (Sleeping late,  hangovers,  and studying for exams are not accepted as excused absences.)  Doctor and dental appointments, participation in extra-curricular UGA activities, and job interviews may or may not be excusable.  Consult  the instructor prior to the absence, if at all possible;  if such is not possible, then consult the instructor as soon as possible after the fact.  Attendance at weddings, baptisms, bar or bat mitzvahs, etc. are not normally excusable absences.  But, again, consult the instructor.

       The professor does not generally give make-up examinations, even for unavoidable absences.  Instead,  if the class is given an extra exam,  persons might use that one as a substitute for an exam missed because of valid reasons or they may take an extended final examination that compensates for an exam missed because of valid reasons.  But please consult professor if an exam is missed for excusable reasons.

 

       Honesty Policy:  All academic work must meet the standards contained in ÒA Culture of Honesty.Ó  All students are responsible to inform themselves about those standards before performing any academic work. 

 

      This Syllabus:  The course syllabus is a general plan for the course;  deviations announced to the class by the instructor may be necessary.

 

       Office Hours:  Note the professor's office hours and use them as the need or inclination arises.  Remember, if you have questions or concerns, it is your responsibility to discuss these matters in a rational, courteous, and responsible manner with your instructor.  You are free to drop by during my office hours.  A better approach and the one I strongly recommend, however, would be to call 706-542-5356 and schedule an appointment.  This would increase the chances that there will be no appointment conflicts or unnecessary delays.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Outline and Assigned Readings

 

RELI 4201/6201:  African American Religious History

 

I.     Introduction:  Philosophy, Methodology, and Background 

                      (January 8, 10)

 

      Readings A:    Raboteau, Canaan, pp. 136-139;

                              Sernett, African-American Religious History or ARH,  Table of Contents,  "Preface," and pp. 1-10;

                                                                                   

      Readings B:     No additional readings

 

      Note:  Readings A are required readings for  both undergraduate (4201) and graduate (6201) students.   Readings B are required readings for graduates (6201), and recommended for undergraduates (4201).   In other words:  Undergraduates must read A; Graduates must read A and B.

 

II.  The African/African-American Experience in Colonial America,  1619-1775 ( January 15, 17)

 

      Readings A :   Raboteau, Canaan, ch. 1;

                              Sernett, ARH, Selections #1, #2, #3

                       

      Readings B:     No additional readings at this time

 

III. Evangelical Awakenings and African Americans,  ca. 1730- ca. 1830

                        ( January 22, 24)

 

      Readings A:    Raboteau, Canaan, ch. 2;

                              Sernett, ARH, #5, #6

                              Martin, Race, "Chronology," "Abbreviations," pp. 1-31

                               

      Readings B:     No additional readings at this time           

 

IV.  Rise and Early Development of Independent Congregations, Denominations, and other Ecclesiastical Bodies, ca. 1750 -  ca. 1860

                        ( January 29, 31)

 

      Readings A:    Sernett, ARH, #14, #15, #16, #17

                             

      Readings B:  All the above plus Sernett, ARH, #19, #20, #21, #22

                             

V.   Religion among Enslaved African Americans, ca. 1800-1865 

                        ( February 5, 7)

 

      Readings A:    Raboteau, Canaan, ch. 3;

                              Sernett, ARH, #7, #8

                             

      Readings B:     All the above plus Sernett, ARH, #9

                             

EXAM #1:   PROJECTED FEBRUARY 14

 

 

 

VI.  Black Religion and Social Change, 1783-1865:  Focus on Slavery

                        ( February 12, 14)

 

      Readings A:    Sernett, ARH, #4, #11, #12, #18, #22, #23

                              Martin, Race, pp. 31-43

                             

      Readings B:     All the above plus Sernett, ARH, #10, #13, #23

                       

VII.  From Emancipation through World War I,  1865-1918:  Part A - Expansion of ÒOldÓ and Rise of New Religious Bodies, 1860-1915

                        ( February 19, 21)

     

      Readings A:    Raboteau, Canaan, ch. 4

                              Sernett, ARH, #26,#33, #34

                              Martin, Race, chs. 2, 4, 5

                               

 

      Readings B:     Sernett ARH, read the fourteen pieces, #24 through #37 -- esp.

                              those concentrating on the rise and spread of religious groups,

                              such as 26, 28, 33, 34.

                             

MIDTERM -- FEBRUARY 25

 

VIII.  From Emancipation through World War I,  1865-1918:  Part B - Black Religion and Temporal Freedom, 1860-1915

                        ( February 26, 28)

 

      Readings A:    Sernett, ARH,  #24, #27, #32, #37

                              Martin, Race, chs. 3, 6, 7

 

      Readings B:     Sernett, ARH, read the fourteen pieces, #24 through #37 -- esp.

                              those concentrating on political/economic/social issues, such as

                              #24, #27, #28, #32, #37

 

MIDTERM WITHDRAWAL DATE -- MARCH 4

                             

IX.  From Emancipation through World War I,  1865-1918:  Part C - Theological and Ecclesial Concerns, 1880-1918

                        ( March 4, 6)

     

      Readings A:    Sernett, ARH,  #29, #31

                              Martin, Race, chs. 8, 9, 10, Part VI, Appendices

                                               

 

      Readings B:     Sernett, ARH, read the fourteen pieces, #24 through #37 -- esp.

                              those dealing with theological and church issues, such as #35

                             

SPRING BREAK:  MARCH 10-14

 

EXAM #2:  PROJECTED MARCH 20

                             

X.  Black Religion during Decades of Increased Urbanization, 1915-1954:  Mainline Traditions  (March 18, 20)

 

      Readings A:    Raboteau, Canaan, , ch. 5

                              Sernett, ARH, #38, #41, #43

                             

      Readings B:     Sernett, ARH, read the 15 pieces, #38 through #46

                             

 

PAPER DUE:  APRIL 1

 

XI.  Black Religion during Decades of Increased Urbanization, 1915-1954:  Other Traditions  ( April 1, 3)

 

      Readings A:    Sernett, ARH, #47, #48, #49, #50, #51, #52

                             

      Readings B:     Sernett, ARH, read the 15 pieces, #47 through #52

                             

 

EXAM #3:  PROJECTED APRIL 10 OR 15

 

 

XII.  An Age of Rapid Social Change and Rising Black Consciousness,

                        1953-1968:   ( April 8, 10)

 

      Readings A:    Raboteau, Canaan, ch. 6

                              Sernett, ARH, #53, #54, #55, #56

                             

      Readings B:     No additional readings at this time

 

XIII.   Black Religion in the Post-Civil Rights Era, 1966-Present

                        ( April 15, 17)

 

      Readings A:    Raboteau, Canaan, ch. 7

                              Sernett, ARH, #57, #58, #59

                             

      Readings B:     No additional readings at this time

 

XIV.  Summary and Reflections  (April 22, 24)

 

      Readings A & B:   Sernett, ARH, #59

                                   

LAST DAY OF CLASSES FOR THIS COURSE:    April 24

 

NOTE:  This syllabus is a reliable guide to the basic content and direction of the course.  From time to time, modifications, additions, and/or deletions may be made, but the basic structure as outlined should remain firm.  Therefore, keep this syllabus handy, bring it to class each day, and consult it often.  Each student is encouraged, expected, and advised to ask any questions during the semester relating to this syllabus in particular or the course in general.

 

 

Midpoint ---- February 25    /   Midpoint Withdrawal Deadline -- March 3

 

First Exam ----------------------  Estimate: FEBRUARY 14

Second Exam --------------------Estimate:  MARCH 20

Paper ---  Due: APRIL 1

Third Exam ----------------------Estimate: April 10 or 15

 

Final Examination:  Scheduled for May 1, 2008, 12:00-3:00 p.m.,  in this room, unless notified otherwise.  But please double check the exam schedules to be absolutely certain.

 

More information on following page

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHERE DO I STAND?

 

RELI 4201/6201

Spring 2008

DR. S. D. MARTIN

martin@uga.edu

(706) 542-5356 - Peabody Hall, Rm. 213

 

NAME _____________________________________________

 

 

RELI 4201 EXAMS                                      

 

____________ #1                                          

 

____________ #2                                          

 

____________ #3

 

____________ FINAL EXAM

 

 

      Average of the above will inform you of where you stand at any particular point in the class --  assuming, of course, regular and prompt class attendance.

 

.........................................................................................................                                    

 

RELI 6201 MAJOR EXAMS/PAPER         

 

____________ #1                                          

 

____________ #2                                          

 

____________ PAPER

 

____________ FINAL EXAM

 

      Average of the above will inform you of where you stand at any particular point in the class --  assuming, of course, regular and prompt class attendance.