L57 RelPol 390

Mormonism and the American Experience

Spring 2017, W 2:30–5:30PM

The focus of this seminar is Mormonism, meaning, primarily, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or LDS Church), which is the largest Mormon body.

WUCRSL
line drawing of three people teaching superimposed on each other

The focus of this seminar is Mormonism, meaning, primarily, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or LDS Church), which is the largest Mormon body. In addition to introducing who the Mormons are, their beliefs and religious practices, this seminar will explore issues raised by Mormonism’s move toward the religious mainstream alongside its continuing distinctiveness. These issues include: What is the religious “mainstream” in the U.S.? How did conflicts over Mormonism during the 19th century, especially the conflict over polygamy, help define the limits of religious tolerance in this country? How have LDS teachings about gender and race, or controversies about whether or not Mormons are Christian, positioned and repositioned Mormons within U.S. society?