Much scholarly and journalistic attention and discussion has recently been given to what has been labeled “Christian nationalism” and sometimes more narrowly as “white Christian nationalism.” This class will explore (1) the concept of Christian nationalism—what it is, and what it isn’t, (2) different definitions scholars have used for Christian nationalism and the implications associated with each definition, (3) the measurement of Christian nationalism and whether the questions typically employed by survey researchers actually capture the concept they seek to analyze, (4) the resulting social, psychological, and political characteristics of those Americans who might be labeled Christian nationalists, (5) whether only Christians can be labeled “Christian nationalists,” (6) the range of outcomes that scholars have found associated with Christian nationalism, (7) to extent to which Christian nationalism may have grown over time, and, (8) whether Christian nationalism is actually “Christian.” 

Corwin Smidt is Professor of Political Science emeritus and the former Director of the Henry Institute for the Study of Christianity and Politics at Calvin University. He has published extensively in the field of religion and politics, and recently has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Religion and Politics section of the American Political Science Association.