In this presidential election season, the relationship between religion, race and the political project of the United States will be front and center. This course provides a foundation for thinking through these intersecting themes and placing them in historical perspective. The course asks: What is Race? Religion? Politics? How have Americans' ideas about religion and race informed the ways they think about, engage and articulate political engagement? How has religion informed political and social justice activism? What political ideas and motives came from religious bases?