In many ways, the hallmark achievement of the American founding was creating a democratic system that protected individual rights, notably freedom of religion and conscience. The 1st Amendment aimed to protect citizens from encroachment by the state upon their conscience, to prevent a religious group from hijacking the political order, and to ensure religions had the freedom to pursue their noble ends unfettered by state administration. This course will examine the history and context of the Constitution's protections for religious freedom and the ways that these principles have played out over time--in cases, popular opinion, and political wrangling.