Wright courses 770

Theology 550: History of the Christian Church

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Syllabus
Theology 550
Spring 2001

Wendy M. Wright, Ph.D.
Dept. of Theology HC 137
(402) 280-2611
email: wmwright@creighton.edu
Office Hours: W 2-4 Th 1-2
or by appointment

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 4 groups, each of which will be responsible for two group presentations about two different historical texts during the semester as well as for facilitating discussion on those days and during the final week of the semester.

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 4-5 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 two of these papers during the semester.

Required reading:

McManners, John, editor. The Oxford Illustrated History of the Christian Church. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992.
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 (see schedule). Appropriate videos will be placed on reserve two weeks before and after the unit in which they are to be viewed. A brief summary (1 page) of the video viewed is due from each student at the end of the time the video is available on reserve.

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:

Group presentations: 20%
First presentation paper: 15%
Second presentation paper: 15%
Exams: 30%
Class participation 10%
Video/telecast reports: 10%

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 student handbook). DO YOUR OWN WORK. Infractions of this policy will result in a lowered grade and will be referred to the appropriate University offices and committees and incorporated into the student’s file.

Papers will be evaluated on the following criteria:

Clear, succinct thesis. Clear, succinct method. Writing style including bibliographic, note style. Grasp of content, facility of ideas. Imagination of presentation. Maturity of integrative reflection.

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

Jan.11 Introductions

Jan.16 Early Christian Community
Chap.1
Class reading of Martyrdoms of Perpetua and Felicitas

Jan.18 Early Christian Community
Library visit: Host, Mike Poma

Jan.23 Rome to the Barbarian Kingdoms
Chap.2
Video reports due on Early Christian Community

Jan.25 Rome to the Barbarian Kingdoms
Group #1
Texts: selections from Athanasius’ Life of Anthony and Pelagia the Harlot

Jan.30 Exam

Feb.1 The West: Age of Conversion
Chap.3
Video Reports due on Rome to Barbarian Kingdoms

Feb.6 The West: Age of Conversion
Group #2
Texts: Life of St. Boniface and Life of St. Leoba

Feb.13 Christianity and Islam
Chap.5

Feb.15 Christian Civilization
Chap.6

Feb.20 Christian Civilization
Group #3
Texts: selections from Bernard of Clairvaux’s writings and Peter Abelard’s Story of My Misfortunes
Video reports due on Christian Civilization

Feb.22 Exam

Feb.26 Late Medieval Church and Its Reform
Chap.7

Mar.1 Late Medieval Church and Its Reform
Group #4
Text: Life of Ignatius of Loyola

SPRING BREAK

March 13 Eastern Christianity /The Orthodox Churches of Eastern Europe
Chap.4 Chap.15
Guest lecturer

Mar.15 Orthodoxy
Video reports due on Late Medieval Church and Reform

Mar.20 Medieval Church and Its Reform

Mar.22 Medieval Church and Its Reform
Group #1
Texts : Erasmus-Luther: Discourse on Free Will

Mar.27 Enlightenment/ Expansion/Latin American Church
Chap.8 and 9 Chap.12

Mar.29 Latin American Church
Group #2
Text: Gospel According to the Peasants of Soletiname

Apr.3 EXAM

Apr.5 Great Britain and Europe Since 1800/North America
Chap.11/Chap.10
Video reports due on Expansion/Latin America

Apr.10 North America
Group #3
Text: Jonathan Edwards, Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God
Video reports due on Great Britain/Europe/North America

April 12 NO CLASS (Holy Thursday)

Apr.17 Africa and Asia
Chap. 13-14

Apr.19 Africa and Asia
Group #4
Text: Shusake Endo, Stained Glass Elegies

Apr.24 Christianity Today and Tomorrow
Chaps.16, 17
Viewing of Selection from "God at 2000"

Apr.26 Christianity Today and Tomorrow
Chaps.18, 19
Viewing of Selection from "God at 2000"

May 1 Tuesday: FINAL EXAM
Video Reports due on "God at 2000"