Join Me For a Summer Seminar on Religion and the American Founding

I will be offering this seminar as part of the "Teachers as Scholars" Program sponsored by the Messiah College Center for Public Humanities.  If you are a teacher in Pennsylvania who is interested in Act 48 Professional Development credits, or a teacher from anywhere who just wants to learn more about the role of religion in the founding of the United States, consider applying for this free seminar.  It will take place on the campus of Messiah College on June 17 and June 19.  Enrollment is limited to sixteen teachers.

Here is a description of the seminar:

Seminar II: Religion and the American Founding
Professor John Fea, Department of History
Monday, June 17 and Wednesday, June 19
 
There has been much debate in our society today over whether the American founders set out to form a uniquely “Christian” nation. Unfortunately, the debate has yielded more “heat” than “light” as pundits have used the history of our nation’s founding to score political points in current culture wars. This seminar will examine key questions in this debate from a historical point of view: What did the founders believe about God and government? Did these beliefs influence the republic that they helped to create? How might Americans use history responsibly in public life? As we consider the early American experience in light of American religious history, participants will have the opportunity to explore how they can encourage their students to engage well in conversations about religion and the founding fathers.

For more information and instructions on how to apply, check out the online "Teachers as Scholars" brochure here or contact Jean Corey, director of the Messiah College Center for Public Humanities, at jcorey[at]messiah[dot]edu

I look forward to seeing you in June.