HIST 374 American Catholicism
This explores how the Catholic Church took root, grew, and adapted in the United States-from its colonial beginnings to the complexities of the post-Vatican II Church twenty-first century. Tracing the journeys of diverse communities across time, the course examines how Catholics shaped (and were shaped by) American culture, politics, immigration, education, and social change. Throughout the semester, special attention is given to the roles of the laity, vowed religious, clergy, and evolving models of leadership, highlighting how authority, service, and participation have changed over time. By the end of the course, students will have a deeper understanding of the rich diversity within American Catholicism and its enduring impact on the broader American experience.