Religious History __exclusive__ - Ttc - Prof. Patrick N Allitt - American
In his 24-lecture series "American Religious History" for The Teaching Company (now The Great Courses ), Professor Patrick N. Allitt explores the unique vitality and diversity of religious life in the United States from European contact to the late 20th century. Core Themes & Objectives Professor Allitt focuses on why America remains religiously vigorous while other industrial nations have secularized. The course emphasizes religion's influence "beyond the pews," connecting faith to intellectual, social, economic, and political concerns. Key themes include: Vitality & Diversity : Examining the proliferation of numerous and varied religious traditions. Social Impact : How religion has driven major movements, such as the Civil Rights movement under Martin Luther King Jr. . Sensory Experience : Exploring the "sounds, smells, and tastes" of American religion, from Catholic incense to the "Protestant" nature of the casserole. Course Structure & Highlights The narrative moves chronologically, starting with Native American spirituality and early modern European religious contexts. Colonial to Founding Eras : Covers the Puritans, the First Great Awakening , and the role of religion during the American Revolution. 19th Century Expansion : Discusses the flowering of uniquely American movements like Mormonism and the stories of African American religion. Notable Figures : Lectures feature biographical sketches of charismatic leaders, including Puritan Cotton Mather, Mormon prophet Joseph Smith, Christian Science founder Mary Baker Eddy, and revivalist Billy Sunday. Modern Challenges : Addresses 20th-century shifts, including the impact of the Cold War , secularization, and immigration. Professor Background Patrick N. Allitt is the Cahoon Family Professor of American History at Emory University. A prolific historian, he has authored multiple books including Religion in America Since 1945 and The Conservatives . His teaching style in this series is noted for being unbiased and objective. American Religious History - Audible
In his course "American Religious History" The Great Courses (formerly The Teaching Company), Professor Patrick N. Allitt explores why the United States remains so religiously diverse and vital compared to other industrial nations. A British-born scholar now at Emory University , Allitt brings an "outsider's" objective perspective to the subject. His storytelling spans from the first European contacts to the late 20th century, focusing on several unique aspects: Emory University Key Storylines and Themes Vitality and Diversity : Allitt argues that the best way to understand America's unique religious landscape is by studying its history, examining not just formal beliefs but religion’s influence "beyond the pews". Sensory Experience : He uniquely explores religion through the senses—the design of sacred spaces, the smell of incense, and even the "taste" of religion, famously suggesting the casserole may be the most "Protestant" of all dishes. The Conflict of Ideas : The course covers how 19th-century discoveries in biology and geology challenged biblical authority, and how these tensions between liberal and traditional traditions continue today. Social Movements : He highlights how figures like Martin Luther King Jr. fused biblical references with patriotism to champion civil rights, and how both sides of the Civil War believed they were doing "God's will". Amazon.com Professor Allitt's Style Reviewers on frequently praise his "disarming" British accent and objective, scholarly distance. He avoids moralizing, choosing instead to explain the historical context behind famous incidents like the Salem witch trials or the Rise of Mormonism. from this 24-part series? American Religious History - Audible
The Spiritual Engine of America: A Journey Through Prof. Patrick Allitt’s "American Religious History" If you want to understand the United States, you have to understand its soul. Not just its laws, its geography, or its economy, but the volatile, vibrant, and often contradictory spiritual energy that has powered the nation since its inception. This is the premise of "American Religious History," a comprehensive lecture series from The Teaching Company (The Great Courses), delivered by Professor Patrick N. Allitt of Emory University. For history buffs, the sheer scope of the American narrative is often familiar: the landing at Plymouth Rock, the Constitutional Convention, the Civil War, and the rise of industrialism. However, Prof. Allitt invites us to look at these milestones through a different lens—one that reveals how religious belief wasn't just a background detail, but the primary driver of American social and political life. Here is why this series is essential viewing for anyone trying to make sense of the American experiment. The Seedbed: A Nation of Dissenters One of Allitt’s most compelling early arguments is that America was not founded as a monolith, but as a messy collection of religious experiments. While high school history textbooks often lump the colonists together, Allitt meticulously dissects the theological differences between the Puritans of New England, the Anglicans of Virginia, and the Quakers of Pennsylvania. He paints a picture of a "haven for hell-raisers"—a place where religious dissenters who couldn't fit into the rigid structures of European society came to build their own versions of utopia. Allitt argues that this fragmentation laid the groundwork for American federalism. The necessity of different sects learning to live side-by-side (often uneasily) forced the evolution of the separation of church and state—a concept born not out of atheism, but out of a desire to protect the purity of religious sects from government interference. The Fire: Revivals and Reform The course shines brightest when discussing the Second Great Awakening. This is where the American religious identity truly diverges from its European ancestors. Allitt describes the "burned-over district" in upstate New York with a storyteller’s flair. This was the Silicon Valley of the 19th-century soul, birthing Mormonism, Adventism, and a feverish wave of evangelicalism. But the professor connects this spiritual fervor directly to social progress. He draws a straight line from the revival tents to the abolitionist movement, women’s suffrage, and temperance. His central thesis here is profound: In America, religious enthusiasm almost always translates into social reform. The American notion of "manifest destiny" and the "city on a hill" has always been active, not passive. Believers felt compelled to remake the world. The Irony: Pluralism and Secularism As the lectures move into the 20th century, Allitt tackles the tension that defines modern America. He charts the arrival of Catholic and Jewish immigrants, and the xenophobic backlash (often religiously motivated) that followed. He handles the "Protestant-Catholic-Jew" triad of the mid-20th century with nuance, showing how these groups eventually merged into a generalized "Judeo-Christian" ethic during the Cold War to contrast against "Godless Communism." Perhaps the most fascinating section deals with the modern era. Allitt explores the rise of the "Nones" (those with no religious affiliation) and the simultaneous explosion of megachurches. He posits that America is unique among developed nations: it is a country that has modernized without fully secularizing. The Professor: A Guide, Not a Judge The success of a Great Course often hinges on the presenter, and Prof. Patrick Allitt is a masterful guide. With a crisp British accent that contrasts sharply with his deep knowledge of American folkways, he maintains a tone of objective curiosity. He is neither a cheerleader for American religiosity nor a cynical critic. Whether discussing the stern theology of Jonathan Edwards or the charismatic charisma of Aimee Semple McPherson, Allitt treats every subject with historical respect. He asks: What did they believe? Why did they believe it? And how did it change the world around them? The Verdict "American Religious History" is more than a theology course; it is a masterclass in cultural anthropology. It explains why Americans argue about prayer in schools, why the Civil Rights movement was led by a preacher, and why the "culture wars" are so fierce. If you have ever wondered why the U.S. remains the most religious nation in the industrialized West, Prof. Patrick Allitt provides the answer: because in America, religion has always been the language of hope, the engine of change, and the battleground for the nation's conscience.
Recommendation: Highly recommended for students of American History, sociology enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the intersection of faith and public life. TTC - Prof. Patrick N Allitt - American Religious History
In The Teaching Company’s "American Religious History" course, Professor Patrick N. Allitt surveys the impact of faith on American society from the colonial era to the late 20th century. The lectures, often delivered from a distinct "outsider" perspective, examine religion's role in American intellectual and political life, including the influence of mass immigration and the rise of 19th-century scientific challenges. For more details, visit Audible . The Great Courses: American Religious History
In American Religious History , Professor Patrick N. Allitt of Emory University delivers a 24-lecture exploration of how faith has shaped American social, political, and intellectual life. The course is highly regarded for its balance, moving beyond simple theology to examine religion as a "sensory experience"—from the smell of incense to the cultural significance of the church casserole. Course Structure & Scope The series follows a roughly chronological path, beginning with the first European contacts and early Puritanism, extending through the late 20th century. American Religious History | The Great Courses Shop
"American Religious History" by Professor Patrick N. Allitt, produced by The Great Courses, is a 24-lecture survey covering the evolution of American religious life from the colonial era to the 21st century. The course highlights the interplay between religious diversity, politics, and culture, featuring topics such as the Great Awakening, slavery, and modern secularism. For more details, visit The Great Courses American Religious History by Patrick Allitt (Compact Disc) In God We Trust"
The Crucible of Belief: How Prof. Patrick N. Allitt’s TTC Course Illuminates American Religious History In the sprawling landscape of The Great Courses (TTC)—formerly known as The Teaching Company—few lecturers manage to balance rigorous academic scholarship with the storytelling verve of a novelist. Prof. Patrick N. Allitt, a British-born historian who has spent decades teaching at Emory University, achieves exactly that. Among his most celebrated lecture series is “American Religious History,” a comprehensive audio and video course that has become a cornerstone for lifelong learners, undergraduate students, and history buffs alike. If you have ever searched for the keyword “TTC - Prof. Patrick N Allitt - American Religious History,” you are likely looking for more than just a syllabus. You are looking for a guide through the chaotic, vibrant, and often contradictory spiritual landscape of the United States. This article unpacks why this specific course matters, what it covers, and why Allitt’s unique perspective transforms a potentially dry academic subject into a thrilling narrative about national identity. Why Patrick N. Allitt? The Outsider’s Insight Before diving into the content of the course, it is essential to understand the lecturer. Prof. Patrick N. Allitt is a fascinating figure in American academia. Born and educated in England, he moved to the United States for graduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley. He brings the fresh eyes of an immigrant to a subject most Americans take for granted. Because Allitt did not grow up immersed in the American revival tent or the Southern Baptist pew, he notices the quirks. He sees the absurdity, the genius, and the profound sincerity of American religious movements with a clarity that native historians sometimes lack. His dry British wit, combined with a genuine affection for his adopted country, makes the 36 lectures of “American Religious History” feel like a long, fascinating conversation with a brilliant uncle. Allitt’s guiding thesis is simple but powerful: You cannot understand American politics, culture wars, social reform, or even economic expansion without understanding American religion. From the Puritans to prosperity theology, he argues that the United States is the most persistently religious and remarkably diverse industrial democracy on earth. A Bird’s Eye View of the Course Structure The TTC - Prof. Patrick N Allitt - American Religious History course is meticulously structured chronologically, but with thematic detours that highlight major movements. Spanning from the pre-Columbian era to the late 20th century, the 36 half-hour lectures are grouped into logical phases of the American experiment. Here is a breakdown of the major sections of the course: Part 1: The Colonial Seedbed (Lectures 1–8) Allitt begins where America begins: with the Native American spiritual traditions, which he treats with respectful anthropological nuance. He then moves to the European invasions—specifically the Spanish Catholics in the Southwest and Florida, and the French Jesuits. The core of these early lectures focuses on the Protestant Reformation’s arrival in New England. Allitt masterfully distinguishes between the Pilgrims (Separatists) and the Puritans (Reformers). He explains the doctrine of "covenant theology" and how John Winthrop’s vision of a "City upon a Hill" created a lasting template for American exceptionalism. However, he does not shy away from the darkness: the persecution of Quakers, the banishment of Roger Williams (who founded the first Baptist church in America), and the Salem witch trials are dissected as symptoms of a closed, anxious society. Part 2: The Great Awakening and Revolution (Lectures 9–12) The single most important event of the 18th century, Allitt argues, was the Great Awakening. Led by firebrands like Jonathan Edwards ("Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God") and the itinerant George Whitefield, this revival transcended colonial boundaries. For the first time, a colonist from Georgia felt a spiritual kinship with a colonist from Massachusetts. Crucially, Allitt draws the line from religious independence to political independence. He explains how sermons became political pamphlets and how the language of "slavery to sin" was easily converted into "slavery to the Crown." He also covers the often-ignored story of American Catholicism in Maryland and the unique legacy of William Penn’s "Holy Experiment" in Pennsylvania. Part 3: The Second Great Awakening and Antebellum Reform (Lectures 13–18) This is where the course truly catches fire. The Second Great Awakening (1790–1840s) democratized American religion. Allitt describes the "burned-over district" of upstate New York, where spiritual fervor was so intense that it produced everything from Mormonism (Joseph Smith) to the Seventh-day Adventists (Ellen White) to the Shakers. Allitt excels here by connecting theology to social action. He demonstrates how the Awakening fueled the abolitionist movement (Theodore Weld, the Grimké sisters), the women’s suffrage movement (Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who cut their teeth in temperance societies), and the utopian communities (Oneida, Brook Farm). The lecture on "Southern Religion and Slavery" is particularly sobering, showing how both slave owners and enslaved people used the Bible—one to justify hierarchy, the other to promise deliverance. Part 4: Immigration, Catholicism, and the Age of Giants (Lectures 19–24) The mid-19th century saw a tidal wave of German and Irish Catholic immigration. Allitt documents the vicious "nativist" backlash—the Know-Nothing Party, the burning of convents, and the anti-Catholic screeds that dominated popular literature. He argues that this conflict forced Protestants to define what they were against (Rome) before they could define what they were for . Simultaneously, he profiles the "Age of Giants":
Horace Bushnell: The father of liberal Protestantism who argued for Christian nurture over violent conversion. John Henry Newman (influence via the Oxford Movement): How ritualism entered the Episcopal Church. The Social Gospel: Walter Rauschenbusch and the idea that saving society (ending child labor, improving sanitation) is a Christian duty.
Part 5: Modernity, Fundamentalism, and the Scopes Trial (Lectures 25–30) As the 20th century dawned, Darwin shook the foundations. Allitt’s lectures on the Fundamentalist-Modernist controversy are worth the price of the course alone. He explains the "Five Points of Fundamentalism" (inerrancy of Scripture, virgin birth, substitutionary atonement, bodily resurrection, and historical reality of miracles) and how they became a rallying cry against higher criticism and evolution. The Scopes "Monkey" Trial of 1925 is presented not as a simple victory for science (William Jennings Bryan looked foolish to the press), but as a political defeat for the rural South. Allitt shows how Fundamentalism retreated into the shadows, building a parallel network of Bible colleges and radio ministries—only to re-emerge decades later as the Moral Majority. Part 6: The Post-War Boom to the Culture Wars (Lectures 31–36) The final section covers the astonishing rise of the "megachurch" (think Billy Graham, Rick Warren, and the Crystal Cathedral). Allitt also covers the expansion of non-Western religions: the influx of Buddhism and Hinduism after the 1965 Immigration Act, the rise of Islam among African Americans (the Nation of Islam under Elijah Muhammad), and the New Age movement of the 1970s. The course ends with the Reagan era and the politicization of the religious right. Allitt concludes with a sobering look at the contemporary landscape—the decline of mainline Protestantism, the rise of the "nones" (religiously unaffiliated), and the persistent vitality of evangelical and Pentecostal Christianity. What Makes This TTC Course Stand Out? 1. The Lectures are Listenable, Not Lullabies Many audiobooks feel like work. Allitt’s lectures are performance art. He paces the stage (you can hear his footsteps in the audio version), chuckles at his own jokes, and uses vocal mimicry to bring historical figures to life. His lecture on Joseph Smith (Lecture 17, “The Rise of Mormonism”) is gripping enough to rival a true-crime podcast. 2. The Guidebook is a Goldmine If you purchase the course (via Audible, Wondrium, or the Great Courses site), you receive a PDF guidebook. This is not just an outline. It includes a detailed timeline, a biographical glossary, maps of religious distribution, and recommended reading lists. For a self-directed student, this guidebook transforms the 18-hour course into a semester-long study. 3. He Treats Belief with Respect One of the greatest risks of teaching religious history is condescension. A secular historian might dismiss revivalist fervor as mass hysteria. A partisan historian might demonize opponents. Allitt avoids both traps. He explains what people believed and why those beliefs made rational sense within their historical context. You leave understanding not just the events of the Great Awakening, but the emotional experience of being born again. Who Is This Course For? It includes a detailed timeline
The Lifelong Learner: You want to understand why "In God We Trust" is on your money and why the Bible Belt votes the way it does. The College Student: You are taking a US History or American Studies exam and need a narrative spine to organize the chaos. The Secular Skeptic: You are bewildered by American religion and want a fair, non-proselytizing explanation of its power. The Believer: You want to see your own tradition within the larger tapestry of American pluralism. The History Teacher: You need fresh analogies and lecture structures to help your students remember the difference between the First and Second Great Awakenings.
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