REL 495: Religion Keystone -For Religion and Youth & Family Ministry Students- Spring 2010

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1 INSTRUCTORS: Russell Kleckley Office: Memorial Hall 226A Phone: REL 495: Religion Keystone -For Religion and Youth & Family Ministry Students- Spring 2010 COURSE MEETING TIME AND PLACE Mondays 6:00 9:00 pm; Foss 21A (tentative) COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class offers students an opportunity to review their Religion or Youth and Family Ministry major, to integrate what they have learned with what they want to continue to explore as well as provides them a chance to think about, or continue to think about, vocation. Since religious faith and experience involves the totality of human experience, the study of religion intentionally draws upon and incorporates interests, methods, and results from across the academic spectrum. The integration of a student s knowledge gained across the curriculum and through extracurricular experiences, together with the reflection upon that knowledge in shaping the student s sense of vocation, plays a critical role in REL 495. COURSE THEME: The Essence of Christianity, The Essence of Religion This course is organized around the exploration of a theme that has always been implied throughout the history of Christian theology but which became more explicit in the 18 th and 19 th centuries as Christianity faced the challenges posed by the modern world, namely, what is the basic essence, character, or nature of Christianity and, by extension, of religion itself? Just as theologians and detractors alike sought to understand and define Christianity and religion at their core and then develop their beliefs and practices from that understanding, participants in this course will be challenged to examine and clarify in conversation with the Christian tradition their own understanding of the essence of Christianity and religion and to develop their course projects in ways that are consistent with that understanding. Together we will engage texts that reflect this important notion. Students with backgrounds and interests in religions other than Christianity will have the opportunity to explore the same questions and issues in texts and issues of their own religious traditions. While students are not required or expected to choose their research projects on the basis of this particular theme, we will seek throughout the semester to relate the theme to student projects and examine how the projects themselves convey the students underlying assumptions and convictions about the essence of religion and their own religious traditions in particular. BOOKS: Kerr, Hugh T., ed. Readings in Christian Thought, 2 nd ed. Nashville: Abingdon Press, Optional: Wayne Booth, et al. The Craft of Research. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1995/2003.

2 COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: Participation Students are expected to participate in all class sessions and should notify one of the instructor in advance, if possible, of missing any class sessions. Much of our work in this seminar will be collaborative, and students will work together in teams to offer peer review and support of each other s work, making attendance and active participation a vital part not only of the individual student s own learning as well as that of the others in the class. Absences beyond two will negatively affect the student s grade. Research Project The main focus of the course is the selection and completion of a major research project. A separate handout will describe the nature, scope and criteria of that project, but most of the work in the seminar will be geared in some way to assisting the student in the completion of the project. The course schedule below indicates a series of 10 milestones students will meet on the way toward the successful completion of the projects. In class assignments, course preparation Students frequently will be asked to complete brief assignments related to Keystone components of the course or the course related theme beyond individual research projects. Examples of these assignments include discussion of readings from the course text, reflections on vocation and students educational experiences, and so on. Separate handouts will describe the criteria for the specific assignments. Final grades for the course will determined on the basis of points accumulated for student work throughout the course. Points may be earned in the three different areas outlined above. A maximum of 200 points may be earned and are available as indicated below. Seminar Participation and in-class assignments (including collegial work in teams with other students): 50 points; Research Project Milestones: 150 points total, 15 possible points for each milestone determined by: - Completion of the Milestone on Time: 5 points (milestone must be submitted on time, in class or on moodle only, to receive points) - Fulfillment of Criteria: 5 Points (points awarded based on the fulfillment of each criterion indicated in the milestone guidelines) - Overall Quality of the Work Required by the Milestone: 5 Points (5 points = superior quality; 4 points = above expectations; 3 points = meets expectations; 2 points = needs improvement; 1 point = requires significant improvement) Final grades for the seminar will be awarded as follows: 4.0 = = = = = = = =

3 0.0 = below 132. PROJECTED COURSE SCHEDULE Note: The actual themes and activities for each session may changed based on the needs of the class and unforeseen circumstances as they occur. Students should keep current with the schedule and information posted and regularly updated on moodle for the most current information. All reading assignments with page numbers refer to Kerr, Readings in Christian Thought, unless otherwise indicated. Alternative readings will be assigned for students whose background and interests are in religions other than Christianity. January 11 Introduction to Course and Course Theme: The Essence of Christianity and Student Life as Vocation Augsburg courses and experiences revisited My Canon - Who and What? Discussion of possible research topics and interests Practice in critical reading of unfamiliar texts and sources (bring your book with you; we will read the text together in class) Friedrich Schleiermacher, The Essence of Religion, and The Essence of Christianity, pp (be sure always to read the introduction for background on the theologians and writers of the texts). January 18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday; No Class January 25 Intersections of Faith and Life: Topics of Interest as Expressions of Vocation Presentation of topic (see handout for Milestone 1) Discussion of topics as expressions of vocation and identity PAPER MILESTONE 1: WORKING TOPIC DUE

4 February 1 What is my understanding of religion? of Christianity? myself as a theologian? Consultation with librarians on research and resources Presentation of thesis statements (see handout for Milestone 2) PAPER MILESTONE 2: WORKING THESIS DUE February 8 The Essence of Christianity: Faith, Culture, and Vocation Discussion of the questions, Can Christianity be compatible with the norms and values of the culture? Is there a Christian culture? Small group work for peer feedback on topic, thesis, and plans for developing the paper. Justin Martyr, Plea for a Fair Hearing, and Worship and Witness, pp Perpetua, A Vision of Truth, pp Tertullian, Jerusalem and Athens, The Rule of Faith, and Continuity of Christ in the Church, pp (for background), PAPER MILESTONE 3: WORKING OUTLINE DUE February 15 Informal Presentations on Paper Theses Be prepared to lead a 5-10 minute discussion on your paper topic, thesis, and how you plan to develop your discussion. You should be prepared to: 1. Describe coherently the topic of your paper; 2. State concisely and clearly the thesis you intend to demonstrate; 3. Provide background on the methods and sources you are using and pertinent information you have uncovered so far. PAPER MILESTONE 4: REVISED THESIS/WORKING BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE February 22 The Essence of Christianity, Vocation, and the Individual

5 Continuing discussions on Religion and the Liberal Arts: courses, books, and topics in the AugCore that have informed interest and work on projects. Discussion of The Freedom of a Christian and its relevance for student projects In-class time for library research and individual consultations as needed Martin Luther, Freedom and Service, pp (for background on the Reformation in general and on Luther in particular), PAPER MILESTONE 5: FIVE DRAFT PAGES DUE March 1 The Essence of Christianity, Vocation, and Voices from the Past: Theologies of the Head and Heart Discussion of primary source texts Be prepared to respond to the following questions: What is at stake in my topic? Why does it matter? Work in class on research, writing, and peer editing Anselm of Canterbury, A Proof for the Existence of God, pp (including background on Anselm); Thomas Aquinas, The Existence of God, (Third Article) pp ; (including background on Thomas); Catherine of Siena, Prayer of Thanks and Ecstacy, pp (including background on Catherine). PAPER MILESTONE 6: FIVE MORE DRAFT PAGES DUE March 8 The Essence of Christianity, Vocation, and Voices from the Past: The Reformation Beyond Luther and Calvin Discussion of texts Work in class on research, writing, and peer editing Menno Simons, The Community of the Faithful, pp (including background on Simons); John Wesley, Character of a Methodist, pp , 192-

6 193 (including background on Wesley); Jonathan Edwards, True Religion and True Affections, pp , (including background on Edwards). PAPER MILESTONE 7: FIVE MORE DRAFT PAGES March 15 Spring Break; No Class March 22 Reflections on Vocation after 30 Years Tonight I will share with you some of the results of my work and interests since graduating from college within the context of a vocational journey. We will also use time for peer review, consultation, and library work as needed. March 29 Approaching the Finish Line This evening we will begin to see how the separate pieces of the projects come together to form a complete picture of your topic and thesis. We will also use readings from Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer to raise some critical questions about the nature and foundation of our own work Discussion of primary texts Bring two additional copies of your complete draft with you to class to distribute to other members of your writing group for discussion and feedback. Karl Barth, "Revelation and the Bible," pp (including background on Barth); Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "Religionless Christianity," pp , (including background on Bonhoeffer). PAPER MILESTONE 8: COMPLETE DRAFT DUE April 4 Vocation and the Future

7 Tonight we will discuss what we have learned - individually and collectively - from the projects in this course. We will also use this session as an opportunity to talk about matters of formatting for the final paper and allow time as well for some final peer review as you look ahead to finished draft of your paper. Discussion of primary texts Discussion of personal and academic learning as a result of the projects and the courses so far; personal and professional goals and visions after Augsburg Peer review and consultation for paper revisions Discussion of remaining issues of paper content and formatting Walter Rauschenbusch, "The Social Gospel," pp (including background on Rauschenbusch); Martin Luther King, Jr., "Theology - For What?" pp (including background on King). April 11 Preparation for the Colloquium Trial run of the colloquium with responses to student and instructor generated questions on the papers. Students should come in with 3 questions relevant to the content of the paper of each student in their peer group PAPER MILESTONE 9: FINAL PAPER DUE April 18 (tentative) 3:00 6:00 PAPER MILESTONE 10 Seminar Dinner and Paper Presentations with Religion Faculty