The Christian Right

An introductory cultural and historical study of conservative Christianity in the United States. The Christian Right has played a defining role in American and global politics since at least the 1940s. What is the history of this movement? Who are conservative Christians, and how are they distinct from other kinds of religious actors? What, exactly, do they believe—about feminist and LGBT rights, healthcare, education, civil rights, religious liberty, and capitalism? This course explores these questions and more, with an emphasis on intersectional feminist and critical ethnic studies analysis of the themes and histories at hand. Students will analyze primary sources from the movement, complete a field visit to a thematic site of their choosing, participate in biweekly film screenings, and do a final “unessay” project related to their specific areas of interest.