COURSE: APOL 697 (2/24 2/28) COURSE TITLE: APOLOGETICS AND THE RISE OF SECULAR HUMANISM FACULTY: DR. CHAD THORNHILL GUEST LECTURER: ALEX MCFARLAND

Transcription

1 COURSE: APOL 697 (2/24 2/28) COURSE TITLE: APOLOGETICS AND THE RISE OF SECULAR HUMANISM FACULTY: DR. CHAD THORNHILL GUEST LECTURER: ALEX MCFARLAND I. COURSE DESCRIPTION This course will examine trends in culture and philosophy that have promoted a humanistic worldview and have resulted in the secularization of America and the West in recent decades. Emphasis will be given to how secular humanism has impacted education, politics, religion, entertainment, social mores, and the family. The course will present a positive defense of the Christian worldview and a negative critique of the secular worldview. Application will include strategies for effective proclamation of Christianity in light of the secular context in which we minister. II. III. RATIONALE There is a threefold rationale for this course. First, God s Word tells us to defend the faith and refute error. Secondly, the souls of people are imperiled by false teaching. Thirdly, Christian stewardship mandates that we equip the church for effective engagement with culture such that ministry and the free exchange of ideas is possible for future generations. PREREQUISITES: APOL 500 INTRODUCTION TO APOLOGETICS IV. REQUIRED RESOURCE PURCHASE(S) Taylor, Charles. A Secular Age. Belknap Press /Harvard University. ISBN: Gay, Craig. The Way of the Modern World. Eerdman s Publishers. ISBN: X RECOMMENDED: McFarland, Alex. 10 Answers for Skeptics. Regal Books. ISBN: McFarland, Alex. 10 Answers for Atheists. Regal Books. ISBN: V. ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR LEARNING A. Computer B. Internet access (broadband recommended)

2 VI. VII. C. Microsoft Word (Microsoft Office is available at a special discount to LU students.) MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: A. Discuss the central beliefs of secular humanism and the key elements in a Christian response. B. Summarize scholarly descriptions and critiques of secular humanism. C. Identify key methodological aspects necessary in a critique of secular media. D. Recognize implicit and explicit secular messages in mass media. E. Apply critical principles of engagement to a particular aspect of the secular human worldview, defending the Christian worldview over and against it. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS (NUMBER OF ASSIGNMENTS MAY VARY) A. Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes B. Assignments 1. Class Discussion: The student will be expected to participate in classroom discussion at various points in the course. Discussion participation will be assessed based upon the frequency and quality of the discussion. Students should come to class prepared by studying the assigned readings for each day. (MLO A) 2. Book Summary: The student will complete a summary of each of the required textbooks (Taylor and Gay). In the summary, the student will describe the main thesis of the book, showing critical interaction with the text and synthesizing the main ideas which it conveys. Each summary should be 2-3 pages in length, written in 12pt. Times New Roman, doublespaced, and should conform to Turabian style. (MLO B) 3. Media Review Project: During the course of the week, the student will read a minimum of 2 media reviews from of either music, movie, or video games. The student will write a 1 page summary of how the reviewers apply biblical discernment to media evaluation and health media choices, focusing on the methodology being used. (MLO C) 4. Presentation: The student will prepare and present a minute response to a critical issue arising from the secular humanistic worldview. The response will defend the Christian worldview over and and against the secular challenges. The presentation should be based upon research, coming primarily from the course readings, academic texts, and peerreviewed journal articles. (MLO B, E) 5. Cultural Discernment Project: The student will keep a journal recording implicit and explicit secular messages from the media they consume for 1 week. This would include internet articles, social media, television, radio, movies, news casts and other forms of mass media. The Page 2 of 5

3 student should recognize the overt or subtle examples of secular thought within these media presentations. (MLO D) 6. Research Paper: The student will write a 8-10 page research paper. The purpose of the paper is for the student to address a topic relevant to the course, addressing a particular example of secular human thought as illustrated in the course lectures and readings. The student should discuss the topic with the professor prior to researching and writing the paper. The paper must be oriented around a central thesis, formalized as a thesis statement. The paper should be in Times New Roman, 12-pt. font, doublespaced, and should follow Turabian style. A minimum of 7 scholarly sources should be consulted (academic books and peer-reviewed journal articles) for the paper. (MLO B, E) VIII. COURSE GRADING AND POLICIES A. Points Class Discussion Book Summary (2; 100 points each) Media Presentation Review Presentation Cultural Discernment Project Research Paper Total Points 150 pts. 200 pts. 100 pts. 150 pts. 100 pts. 300 pts pts B. Scale A A B B B C C C D D D- BELOW 679 F Page 3 of 5

4 C. Assignment Policies Late Submissions are only allowed in the case of a genuine emergency. D. Attendance Policies The student is obliged to follow the attendance policies identified in the graduate catalog. E. Academic Misconduct Policies Academic misconduct is strictly prohibited. See the graduate catalog for specific definitions, penalties, and processes for reporting. F. Drop/Add Policies The student is obliged to follow the drop/add policies identified in the graduate catalog. G. Dress Code The student is expected to maintain a neat, professional appearance while in class. The code is described in the graduate catalog and may be amended with guidelines by the school of study. H. Classroom Policies The use of cell phones will not be permitted. The use of computers is provisional. The student will only be allowed to use a computer if he/she is taking notes during class. Surfing of the web, social networking, or any other activity on a computer that distracts the student from the lecture (in the opinion of the professor) will result in the forfeiture of the privilege of the use of the computer in class. Should one student s behavior result in the forfeiture of the use of a computer for that student, the entire class may lose the privilege of the use of computers. I. Disability Assistance Students with a documented disability may contact the Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) in Green Hall 2668 to make arrangements for academic accommodations. For all disability testing accommodation requests (i.e. quieter environment, extended time, oral testing, etc.) the Testing Center (Green Hall 2700) is the officially designated place for all tests administered outside of the regular classroom. J. Student Conduct Policy The student is expected to conduct himself/herself in a Godly and civil manner when addressing the professor or other students. While good healthy discussion will be expected and encouraged, at no time will personal attacks be tolerated. IX. CALENDAR Semester: The following calendar is a general representation of the course material and is subject to adjustment. Each day will be broken into 5 sections, starting at 8am. We will break mid-morning, lunch, and mid-afternoon. We conclude at 5pm each day except Friday. Page 4 of 5

5 Monday, 2/24/14 Tuesday, 2/25/14 Wednesday, 2/26/14 4- Lcture: Thursday, 2/27/14 Friday, 2/28/14 3- Wrap-up: Page 5 of 5