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.
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.
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.
Patrick N. Allitt’s treatment of American religious history places faith at the center of national development—politically, culturally, and socially—providing students and readers a practical framework for understanding how beliefs became public action and how religious institutions shaped the American story.
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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 TTC - Prof. Patrick N Allitt - American Religious History
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
The Great Courses series, American Religious History , taught by Professor Patrick N. Allitt
of Emory University, provides a comprehensive overview of how faith has shaped the American experience from the colonial era to the present. Course Overview
This course explores the evolution of American religious life, moving beyond a simple "Pilgrims and Puritans" narrative to examine the diverse movements that defined the nation. Professor Allitt is known for his engaging, witty, and objective storytelling, making complex theological shifts accessible to a broad audience. Key Themes & Topics The Colonial Foundations:
Exploration of the Puritans in New England, the Quakers in Pennsylvania, and the Anglican influence in the South. The Great Awakenings:
Analysis of the religious revivals that swept the colonies and the young nation, emphasizing the rise of evangelicalism. Religion and the State:
The development of the concept of "separation of church and state" and the unique American approach to religious freedom. Social Reform Movements:
How religious convictions fueled major social changes, including Abolitionism Civil Rights Movement Modern Pluralism: Many audiobooks feel like work
The growth of Catholicism, Judaism, and newer religious movements (like Mormonism and Pentecostalism), as well as the rise of secularism in the 20th and 21st centuries. About Professor Patrick N. Allitt
Patrick Allitt is the Cahoon Family Professor of American History at Emory University. His expertise lies in American intellectual and religious history, and he has authored several books, including Religion in America Since 1945: A History Where to Watch/Listen The Great Courses Plus (Wondrium): Available for streaming with a subscription. Often available as an audiobook. Public Libraries: Many libraries offer this series via digital services like Looking for more specific details? Let me know: (e.g., the 19th-century revivals)? from the course? Are you interested in other courses by Professor Allitt? TTC - Edu Est's Site
Philosophy and Intellectual History, American Mind, Allen C. Guelzo. C17, History – Modern / Religion, American Religious History, Yola Website Builder Patrick Allitt - The Great Courses Journeys
Course Overview
The Teaching Company (TTC) course "American Religious History" is taught by Professor Patrick N. Allitt, a renowned historian and professor at Emory University. The course explores the complex and fascinating history of religion in America, from the colonial era to the present day.
Course Details
Course Outline
Here's a breakdown of the 12 lectures:
Lecture 1: Introduction to American Religious History
Lecture 2: Puritan Massachusetts - The First American Spiritual Nation
Lecture 3: The Age of Reason - The Deists and the Critique of Orthodoxy
Lecture 4: The Evangelical Awakening - Revival and Conversion in American Protestantism
Lecture 5: The Revolution and the New Nation - How Religion Shaped American Politics Course Outline Here's a breakdown of the 12
Lecture 6: Catholicism and Anti-Catholicism in America
Lecture 7: The Expansion of Protestantism - Revivals, Missions, and Social Reform
Lecture 8: Mormons, Adventists, and Other New Religions
Lecture 9: American Indians and African Americans - Their Spiritual Traditions
Lecture 10: Immigration and Pluralism - How Religion Shaped American Ethnicity
Lecture 11: The 20th Century - Fundamentalism, Secularism, and the New Age
Lecture 12: American Religion Today - A Complex and Varied Landscape
Key Takeaways
Additional Resources
Study Tips
By following this guide, you'll gain a deeper understanding of American religious history and appreciate the complexities of this fascinating topic. Enjoy your learning journey!
"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 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