010101 VU Christianity in the USA (2026S)
Continuous assessment of course work
Labels
Registration/Deregistration
Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
- Registration is open from Mo 02.02.2026 10:00 to Sa 25.04.2026 10:00
- Deregistration possible until Sa 09.05.2026 10:00
Details
Language: English
Lecturers
Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N
Video clip about the Course: https://rw-ktf.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/i_religionswiss/Course_Ciciliot_VU010101.mp4
- N Friday 08.05. 09:45 - 14:45 Seminarraum 7 Hauptgebäude, Tiefparterre Stiege 9 Hof 5
- Saturday 09.05. 09:45 - 14:45 Seminarraum 7 Hauptgebäude, Tiefparterre Stiege 9 Hof 5
- Friday 15.05. 09:45 - 14:45 Seminarraum 7 Hauptgebäude, Tiefparterre Stiege 9 Hof 5
- Saturday 16.05. 09:45 - 14:45 Seminarraum 7 Hauptgebäude, Tiefparterre Stiege 9 Hof 5
Information
Aims, contents and method of the course
Assessment and permitted materials
1. Active class participation on assigned material (primary sources);
2. Writing activity – a research paper (8-10 pages; 12-font size, 1.5 line-space) whose topic is the student’s choice but will be worked out with and approved by the instructor. Preferably, this could be an in-depth analysis of a primary source;
3. Oral exam on the handbook, class notes, assigned material – 30-min oral test with the instructor.The course instructor decides whether and which AI may be used in class or when writing academic papers. The details will be announced in the course and will be agreed upon with the students. In the event of suspicion of non-transparent or unauthorised use of AI, the course management reserves the right to hold a "grade-relevant discussion". The purpose of this grade-relevant discussion is to ensure that the student is able to complete the written papers independently. If the discussion reveals that the student is unable to provide sufficient information on the content, methods, sources used or conclusions of the written paper, it will be assessed negatively. If it emerges during the interview that unauthorised aids have been used, a procedure under study law will be initiated due to the use of unauthorised aids. Otherwise, the assessment originally intended by the course instructor will be retained.Further information can be found in the current guidelines of the University of Vienna on dealing with AI: https://doi.org/10.25365/phaidra.544 and in the guidelines of the KTF: https://ssc-kaththeologie.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/s_ktf/2019/Im_Studium/Leitlinien_KI_der_KTF_Endfassung.pdf
2. Writing activity – a research paper (8-10 pages; 12-font size, 1.5 line-space) whose topic is the student’s choice but will be worked out with and approved by the instructor. Preferably, this could be an in-depth analysis of a primary source;
3. Oral exam on the handbook, class notes, assigned material – 30-min oral test with the instructor.The course instructor decides whether and which AI may be used in class or when writing academic papers. The details will be announced in the course and will be agreed upon with the students. In the event of suspicion of non-transparent or unauthorised use of AI, the course management reserves the right to hold a "grade-relevant discussion". The purpose of this grade-relevant discussion is to ensure that the student is able to complete the written papers independently. If the discussion reveals that the student is unable to provide sufficient information on the content, methods, sources used or conclusions of the written paper, it will be assessed negatively. If it emerges during the interview that unauthorised aids have been used, a procedure under study law will be initiated due to the use of unauthorised aids. Otherwise, the assessment originally intended by the course instructor will be retained.Further information can be found in the current guidelines of the University of Vienna on dealing with AI: https://doi.org/10.25365/phaidra.544 and in the guidelines of the KTF: https://ssc-kaththeologie.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/s_ktf/2019/Im_Studium/Leitlinien_KI_der_KTF_Endfassung.pdf
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
To ensure that the teaching and learning objectives are met, attendance at this course is compulsory. If students are unable to attend lessons, they must provide credible reasons for their absence.The following activities will be assessed:To ensure that the teaching and learning objectives are met, attendance at this course is compulsory. Students may miss up to two 90-minute sessions. If students are unable to attend additional lessons, they must provide credible reasons for their absence.Class participation 30%
Writing activity 40%
Oral Exam 30%The written assignments has to be submitted until 31 August.If the written assignment receives a negative assessment, it will be returned to the student for improvement.
Writing activity 40%
Oral Exam 30%The written assignments has to be submitted until 31 August.If the written assignment receives a negative assessment, it will be returned to the student for improvement.
Examination topics
Course topics and assigned material.
Reading list
Lamport, Mark A. The Rowman & Littlefield Handbook of Contemporary Christianity in the United States. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2022 (selected chapters);
Written and visual primary sources will be provided during the course.
Written and visual primary sources will be provided during the course.
Association in the course directory
Masterstudium Religionswissenschaft NEU: M1 VU zu Religionsgeschichte; MA RW ALT: M2.2, M15, M18; BA rw Bildung: BRP 17rwb (Vorlesung mit Übung zu einem Thema der speziellenReligionsgeschichte), BRP 10rwb (statt Religionen Afrikas ODER Afroamerikanische Religionen), BRP 09rwb (VU zur modernen Religionsgeschichte)
Last modified: Fr 20.02.2026 12:45
- to analyse and interpret primary sources, including written texts, films, photographs, or material culture as well as read secondary sources critically and effectively;
- to develop oral and literary competencies as well as research skills through independent and group analysis of primary and secondary sources;
- to place contemporary US Christianity in its historical and cultural context;
- to identify significant people, places, and events in US Christianity;
- to think critically about the relationship between contemporary Christianity and American identity.This course will explore the history of the main Christian churches/denominations and groups in the USA from the twentieth to the twenty-first century. Classes will be thematic. Along with a chronological analysis of the significant historical events of that period, several topics in which Christians played important roles in shaping US culture and society will be investigated.Contents:1. Christianity and modernity: Catholic Americanism, Social Gospel, fundamentalist/modern Protestantism;
2. Neo/new Evangelicalism;
3. The mainline Protestantism and the Civil Rights Movement;
4. Pentecostalism and the charismatic movements in the 1960s;
5. The Vietnam War and Christian pacifism;
6. Biopolitical issues and the US Christian churches;
7. The US Catholic Church and the sex abuse crisis;
8. New trends in US Christianity: Vineyard Movement, Toronto Blessing, and the neo charismatics;
9. US Christian churches and ecology.Methods:Lecture, class discussion, reading.
Classes feature critical thinking. In every class, the instructor’s lecture will be followed by a discussion on assigned primary source, written or visual.
Active learning tools (quizzes, short videos, polls, etc.) will be used while in class.