Have you ever wondered how the founders of the United States understood the relation between religion and government, and why that relationship matters today? How did the system they constructed make space for political and spiritual activity? As the United States has become increasingly diverse both religiously and ethnically, what are the implications for both political behavior and religious practice? What are the civic freedoms and responsibilities, and the religious identities of present-day Americans? We’ll explore these questions and many others in this two-course FYE. Particular attention will be devoted to the impact of religion on the 2008 Election. Students will participate in a live, on-campus, election-night television program, visit communities of worship representing various religious traditions, and learn to use the scholarly tools of political science and religious studies to analyze some of the most dynamic issues at the intersection of religion and state.