Back to the Future: Religion in Europe

As the topic of religion has been a consistent theme in this course, both in terms of course material and current events discussions, I want to remind you about an important (relatively) new book sure to prompt important discussion, analysis, and conversation--and extra credit.

Philip Jenkins's lastest work, God's Continent: Christianity, Islam, and Europe's Religious Crisis (Oxford University Press, 2007), covers important ground and offers interesting and provocative claims. Read an exerpt here.



God's Continent is the third installment in Jenkins's appraisal of contemporary religion in a global context, preceded by The Next Christendom (2003; rev. ed. 2007) and The New Faces of Christianity (2006).




DUE May 19, this extra credit assignment is worth one exam grade. You will write an analytical review of the book, identifying the book's thesis, taking an inventory of Jenkins's primary source material, and evaluating his arguments. In addition, you will want to consider Jenkins's topic of religion in contemporary Europe in light of the religion/religious trends we've discussed in AP European history since last August. In other words, what does Europe's religious history suggest about the future of religious history in Europe? How do students and scholars understand and evaluate this history in light of globalization? If you could ask Jenkins one question about his book, what would it be?


Format is to follow the customary 12-point font, Times New Roman, 1" margins, and your review should be at least 5 pages long. There will also be a discussion/oral evaluation component to this assignment. Details to follow.