From Martin Luther to Martin Luther King Jr.: The Origins of Religious Freedom

This course examines the theological and historical foundations of religious freedom in the United States, from the Protestant Reformation to the Civil Rights Movement. Starting with Martin Luther's challenge to the Catholic Church in "The Freedom of a Christian" (1520), the course traces key ideas such as religious tolerance, separation of church and state, and freedom of belief. Foundational documents from American democracy and the Civil Rights Movement will be used to explore how these concepts evolved and became central to American ideals of religious freedom. Readings and Discussions in English.