Sarah RubleFaculty

Associate Provost and Dean of Academic Programs and Accreditation in Provost's Office and Professor in Religion

One day in college, a professor pulled me aside and asked if I intended to go to graduate school. I said I wanted to but wasn't certain whether I wanted to study history or theology. "Have you ever considered church history?" he asked. Although I wasn't certain what it entailed, I was immediately fascinated. The fascination has not died. Today I study and teach American religious history and remain intrigued by the way religion and society influence each other and by the myriad ways people combine their many commitments, beliefs and practices. My major areas of interest are evangelical Protestantism, the history of missions, and race and Christianity.

I enjoy both my scholarship and my teaching. My most recent project, a YouTube-based adult Sunday School curriculum on the history of race and Christianity in the United States combines both. The curriculum is available for free at sarahruble.com. I have also published a book, The Gospel of Freedom and Power: Protestant Missionaries in American Culture Since 1945 and several articles. At Gustavus, I currently teach Religion in America, Christian Theologies, Evil, Sin, and Suffering, and Losing My Religion (a First Term Seminar course). I am also the current faculty director of assessment.

I am available to speak to congregations and lifelong learning groups. I have a number of presentations I can tailor to the needs and interests of your group (please see the list below). I am also happy to speak to groups using my Race and Christianity curriculum.

Education

B.A., Seattle Pacific University, 1999; M.T.S. Duke Divinity School, 2002; Ph.D. Duke University, 2007

Areas of Expertise

Religion and Race


  • Ruble CV
  • Adult Forum and Lifelong Learning Topics A sampling of presentations I have given at adult forums in churches or at lifelong learning classes. I can tailor the presentations for the interests of groups. Most of the presentations are designed for two hours of teaching (either consecutive hours or consecutive weeks), but I can alter many of them so that they are shorter or longer.

Courses Taught

Past
Synonym Title Times Taught Terms Taught
REL-113 Religion in America 34 2022/SP, 2020/SP, 2019/FA, 2017/SP, 2016/SP, 2015/FA, 2015/SP, 2014/FA, 2013/SP, 2012/FA, 2012/SP, 2011/FA, 2011/SP, 2010/FA, 2010/SP, 2009/FA, 2009/SP, 2008/FA, 2008/SP, and 2007/FA
REL-212 Christian Theologies 8 2021/FA, 2020/SP, 2019/FA, 2019/SP, 2018/SP, 2017/FA, 2017/SP, and 2016/FA
FTS-100 FTS:Losing My Religion 5 2021/FA, 2018/FA, 2015/FA, 2012/FA, and 2010/FA
REL-265 World Religions in America 5 2015/SP, 2013/SP, 2011/SP, 2009/SP, and 2008/SP
REL-283 Insiders and Outsiders in American Religion 4 2016/SP, 2012/SP, 2009/FA, and 2007/FA
REL-344 ST:Missionary Impulse 3 2014/FA, 2011/FA, and 2008/FA
REL-399 Senior Thesis 2 2023/FA and 2018/FA
REL-282 Perspectives on Evil, Sin, and Suffering 2 2022/SP and 2019/SP
REL-363 Missionary Impulse 1 2016/FA
REL-104 Religious Lives 1 2012/JN
REL-220 Religion in Minnesota 1 2010/JN