City on a Hill: Faith and the American Project (V1498)

15 credits, Level 6

Autumn teaching

On this module, you’ll explore the central role of religion in shaping American identity, politics, and public life from the colonial era to the present. You’ll examine how religious ideas, institutions and movements have helped define the United States as a moral and providential nation – what some have called a ‘city on a hill’.

Topics include:

Puritan political theology
revolutionary religious rhetoric
the Second Great Awakening
civil religion
Christian nationalism
the contested role of religion in modern U.S. politics and foreign policy.

You’ll focus on primary sources, including sermons, political speeches, theological tracts, and memoirs, to trace how Americans have used religious language to articulate ideas of:

national purpose
belonging
authority.

By foregrounding original texts, the module highlights the ways religion has functioned both as a unifying force and a source of profound political and cultural tension throughout American history.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses: