307 Christian Public Engagement in Pluralist Societies: 3 Credits

This course integrates theological studies with fieldwork in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. to explore how Christians engage in contemporary public life as citizens and professionals. Organized into five parts, it begins by establishing an analytical framework for studying matters of identity and responsibility in public life. Next, it compares the role of religion in pre-modern, early modern, and late modern societies. The course then examines the theological roots of differing political affiliations and activity among Evangelicals in late 20th-century U.S. politics. It addresses the rise of social fragmentation and political polarization in the 21st century and their implications for old ways of understanding Christian identity and responsibility in public life. Finally, students consider how the Biblical narrative informs Christian identity and responsibility amid these challenges. Throughout the semester, students engage with Christian professionals from diverse theological perspectives and political affiliations, emphasizing the real-world relevance of course themes and evaluating lessons learned from their experiences.