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THEOLOGY 550
HISTORY OF THE
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
FALL
2004
TTH
3:30-4:45
HC
302
DR. WENDY M. WRIGHT
HC 137
OFFICE HOURS:
W 1-2, TH 10-12
(402) 280-2611
wmwright@creighton.edu
syllabus and online resources:
http://moses.creighton.edu/Wright/courses550.2004.htm
Course
Description:
This course is designed to introduce students to
the full scope of the Christian tradition as it has evolved over time
and spread throughout the globe. By
the end of the semester students should have a clear sense of the
chronological development of key ideas and movements in Christian
history and be able to situate their own faith experience in that
framework. Through the study
of selected primary source documents, students will become familiar with
the distinctive features of particular moments and figures in church
history.
Requirements:
Group
Presentations
Students will be divided into 3 groups, each of which will be
responsible for three
group presentations about two different historical texts during the
semester as well as for facilitating discussion on those days.
Presentations may be as imaginative as the group
wishes but must include an appreciation of the
social/political/ecclesial/theological context in which the document was
written, the background and intent of the author(s), the issues which
the document addresses, the intended audience for the document, the
influence of the document on its own time and in the history of the
church. Library research is
thus required for each of the group members.
A
brief group written summary of the presentation including an indication of the
specific contributions of each group member is due at the time of the
presentation.
Papers
In
addition, each student involved in the presentations will write a 3-4
page paper on some aspect of the assigned text, (i.e. its context,
authorship, background, influence, analysis etc.). This is due
one week after time of the presentation. The paper must include a
bibliography (from Creighton’s library or, if through ILL, please
indicate which library) of at least four sources and should follow the
style sheet found in Kate Turabian, A
Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.
Each student will thus
write three of these papers during the semester.
Required
reading:
A
World History of Christianity. Edited
by Adrian Hastings.
Grand Rapids
,
MI
/
Cambridge
,
UK
, 1999. Selected
xeroxed texts.
Required
viewing:
Students will be required to view one video
presentation relating to the course material for most of the units of
the class. Appropriate
videos will be placed on reserve two weeks before and after the unit in
which they are to be viewed.
Tests
Students will take four unit exams and one Final
Exam. Students are responsible for assigned reading, video viewing,
class notes and discussion, and the content of the student
presentations.
Grading:
1)
Group presentations: 20%
2)
First presentation paper: 15%
3)
Second presentation paper: 15%
4)
Exams: 35%
5)
Class participation 15%
Attendance and participation in class is
required. Absences
must be cleared with professor. More
than 3 absences will result in a lowered grade.
The University policy on academic honesty will be upheld. See http://puffin.creighton.edu/ccas/FacStaff/polManual/polManual.htm
DO YOUR OWN WORK. Infractions of this policy will
result in a grade of F for the assignment and will be referred to the
appropriate University offices and committees.
Papers will be assessed according to the following
criteria.
An excellent (A)
paper should exhibit: a clear thesis persuasively developed, logical
organization, good grammar, syntax and style, a superior grasp of
content, a critical use of sources, correct documentation, originality
of thought. An above average paper (B) should show: a clear thesis well
developed, strong organization, above average grammar, syntax and style,
an informed grasp of content and use of sources, correct documentation.
An average paper (C) should show: a developed thesis, good organization,
average grammar, syntax and style, a good sense of content and use of
sources, correct documentation. The below average paper (D) would show:
inadequate thesis and development of argument, poor written expression,
lack of organization, poor grasp of content, poor documentation. An
unacceptable paper (F) would show: no thesis, lack of organization,
substandard writing, lack of documentation, plagiarism.
Presentations
will be graded on the following criteria:
Extent to which the presentation effectively communicates the
nature, purpose, content and importance of the document.
Imagination of presentation.
Effective collaboration among group members.
Class
Schedule
August
31: The Emergence of the Church
Reading
: World History, chap.1
Class
reading of Martyrdoms of Perpetua and Felicitas
September
2: Patristic Era
Reading
: World History, chap.2
September
7: Orthodoxy in
Byzantium
Reading
: World History, chap. 3
September
9: Presentation
Group #1
Texts: selections
from Athanasius’ Life of Anthony
and Pelagia the Harlot
September 14 Exam
September
16: Medieval West
Reading
: World History, chap. 4
September
21: Presentation
Group #2
Texts: Life of St. Boniface and
Life of St. Leoba
September 23: Presentation
Group #3
Texts: selections
from Bernard of Clairvaux’s
writings and Peter Abelard’s
Story of My Misfortunes
September
28:
India
and
Africa
Reading
: World History, chap. 5 and 6
September
30: Reformation: Catholic and Protestant
Reading
: World History, chap. 7
October
5 In class video
October
7: Presentation
Group
#1
Texts:
Erasmus-Luther: Discourse on Free Will
October
12: Presentation
Group
#2
Text:
Life of Ignatius of Loyola
October
14: Exam
FALL BREAK
October
26
Eastern Europe
since 15thc.
Reading
: World History, chap. 8
October
28:
North America
Reading
: World History, chap. 11
November
2: Presentation
Group
#3
Text:
Jonathan Edwards, Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God
November
4: China/Korea and
Japan
Reading
: World History, chap. 10
November
9: Presentation
Group
#1
Text: Shusake Endo, Stained
Glass Elegies
November
11: Exam
November
16:
Latin America
Reading
: World History, chap. 9
November
18: Presentation
Group
#2
Text:
Gospel According to the Peasants of Soletiname
November
23
Australia
and the
Pacific/In class video
Reading
: World History, chap.13
Thanksgiving
November 30 Viewing of Selections from “God at
2000”
November
7:
Western Europe
since Enlightenment
Reading
: World History, chap. 12
November 9:
Presentation
Group
#3
Text:
Text: Elizabeth Johnson, Friends of God and Prophets
FINAL
Thursday, December 16:
1-2:40 p.m.
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