Religion and American Identity: Literary Explorations

Abstract

Students in this course explored the potential of stories to enable connections among readers from diverse backgrounds and consider how such literary points of contact can expand outward. Students read contemporary American fiction that treats the lived experience of characters belonging to different religious groups. We visited local religious centers and interacted with participants in Maring-Hunt Public Library book clubs. Students developed reading guides to empower people to facilitate difficult conversations in their own communities about religious diversity.