REL 323: History of Christianity III Spring 2016

Transcription

1 REL 323: History of Christianity III Spring 2016 Instructor: David M. Reis Office: 348 Susan Campbell Hall Office Hours: T/R 12:00-1:45 Phone: (541)

2 Course Description With over two billion adherents around the globe, Christianity is the most populous religion in the world. It has also become highly diverse through its intersections with different societies and cultures. This course will explore these complexities through an investigation of the faith from the sixteenth century to the present. Special attention will be given to examining the social, historical, and theological developments within Western Christianity and its emergence as a global faith. Course Objectives Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. evaluate the major social, historical, and theological issues in modern Christianity 2. demonstrate knowledge of the history and character of global Christianities 3. develop analytical arguments, both orally and in writing, that critically engage modern Christian history and literature Course Texts and Electronic Resources González, Justo L. The Story of Christianity, Vol. II: The Reformation to the Present Day. 2 nd ed. New York: HarperCollins, Jacobsen, Douglas. Global Gospel: An Introduction to Christianity on Five Continents. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic Class Website [blogs.uoregon.edu/rel323s16drreis] Empires: Martin Luther [ God in America [ Learning Components Readings The weekly readings consist of both primary and secondary source materials. Primary sources refer to texts from the modern Christian age. Secondary sources refer to texts written by contemporary authors that critically evaluate the problems and issues found in the primary sources. Students should critically engage all readings before we examine them in class. 2

3 Blog Posts Throughout the term, students will be responsible for posting analytical reflections on the daily readings to the class website. These posts will form the foundation for class discussion and must be submitted at least 12 hours before class so that the student s Team can prepare thoughtful reflections for class. Subject Quizzes There will be three quizzes throughout the term covering material from the readings and class discussions. Quizzes will contain both objective and short response questions. Final Exam The final exam will take place on June 10. One week before the exam, the instructor will distribute a study guide listing objective topics and two essay questions. Students should prepare thoughtful responses to these questions based on the readings and class discussions. Each exam will consist of one of the essays and a series of objective questions. Make-up exams will be given only in extraordinary circumstances. Research Project Each student will complete a research project (approximately 2,000 words) that examines either a seminal text or influential film related to modern Christianity. The instructor will provide a list of topics, academic resources, and instructions for completing the project. Students must sign up for a project on Canvas by April 7. Attendance Because the Team-Based Learning model will shape the class learning environment, attendance is essential. Participation This term we will organize class sessions according to the Team-Based Learning model. Each student will be part of a collaborative team that will work together to explore questions and problems in the study of modern Christianity. Participation consists of active engagement in and positive contributions to all class activities. Effort and persistence will be rewarded accordingly. 3

4 Learning Evaluation Project Points Blog Posts 75 A percent Subject Quizzes 75 A percent Final Exam 100 A percent Research Project 75 B percent Attendance 50 B percent Participation 125 B percent Total 500 et cetera Course Outline Part I: Christianities in Europe and America Week One: Religious Currents in the Late Medieval World March 29: Introduction Bartlett, How to Read a Historical Document March 31: Late Medieval Piety: The Ways of Devotion González, 7-18 Propositions of Wyclif Condemned The Twelve Conclusions of the Lollards [1, 2, 4, 8, 10) Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ Erasmus, Julius Excluded from Heaven Week Two: Martin Luther: From Reform to Revolt April 5: Martin Luther: Life and Legacy González, Website: Empires: Martin Luther Video: Empires: Martin Luther [Pt. I: Driven to Defiance; [Pt: II: Reluctant Revolutionary; April 7: Martin Luther: Theology González, Martin Luther, Ninety-Five Theses (1-6, 13, 21, 27, 32, 36-37, 43-45, 49-52, 66, 82, 86-87) Martin Luther, To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation Martin Luther, The Freedom of a Christian 4

5 Week Three: The Refrain of Reform and the Catholic Response April 12: The Early Protestant Reformers González, Thomas Müntzer, Vindication and Refutation Thomas Müntzer, A Sermon Before the Princes Münster community (selections) John Calvin, Geneva Ordinances Henry VIII, Act of Supremacy Henry VIII, Act of Six Articles (section 1) April 14: The Catholic Reformation González, Leo X, Exsurge Domine The Council of Trent, Canons on the Sacraments Index of Prohibited Books Ignatius Loyola, The Spiritual Exercises Week Four: Spirituality, Piety, and Colonial Christianity April 19: Spiritualism and Pietism González, George Fox, Journal (sections 27, 34, 36-37, 47-48, 155, , , 661) George Fox, Letters (5, 13, 131, 149, 162, 188, 206, 398, 419) Jacob Spener, Pia Desideria (section 1) Nicolas Ludwig von Zinzendorf, Thoughts for the Learned and Yet Good-Willed Students of Truth John Wesley (selections) April 21: Colonial Christianity González, The First Charter of Virginia John Winthrop, A Model of Christian Charity Jonathan Edwards (selections) Video: God in America [A New Adam: 12:40-56:00] Week Five: American Christianities in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries April 26: Rationalism and Enlightenment Holmes, The Faiths of the Founding Fathers, Voltaire, Philosophical Dictionary ( Religion, Superstition, Tolerance ) Thomas Jefferson, The Notes on Virginia Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Benjamin Rush Thomas Jefferson, The Jefferson Bible Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason (Part I) Video: God in America [A New Eden: :01-18:00] 5

6 April 28: Revivalism, New Religious Movements, and Slavery González, , Charles Finney, Revivals of Religion Shakers, The Compendium The Book of Mormon William Miller, Evidence from Scripture and History Ellen White, Christian Education Sojourner Truth, Ain t I a Woman? Frederick Douglass, The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro Video: God in America [A New Eden: 18:00-36:00; A Nation Reborn: 2:45-51:09] Week Six: American Christianities in the Twentieth Century May 3: Fundamentalism and Modernism González, , Maurer, A Historical Overview of American Christian Fundamentalism in the Twentieth Century The Princeton Doctrine Laws, The Old and New Theologies Fosdick, Shall the Fundamentalists Win? Video: God in America [A New Light: 16:49-52:45] May 5: The Civil Rights Movement, Evangelicalism, and Christianity in a Pluralistic America González, Butler, Wacker, and Balmer, Religion in American Life, Martin Luther King, Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail Martin Luther King, Jr., I ve Been to the Mountaintop Jerry Falwell, Future-word Video: God in America [The Soul of a Nation: 28:30-56:05; Of God and Caesar: :01-53:40] Part II: Global Christianities Week Seven: Colonialism, Mission, Traditions May 10: Colonialism and Mission González, , Video: God in America [A New Adam: 2:48-12:40] Video: A History of Christianity, Pt. V [ May 12: Traditions Jacobsen, ix-xviii,

7 Week Eight: Africa and Latin America May 17: Africa Jacobsen, Video: God Loves Uganda [Kanopy] Video: The Jesus Experience: Africa May 19: Latin America Jacobsen, Video: The Jesus Experience: Latin America Week Nine: Europe and Asia May 24: Europe Jacobsen, Video: A History of Christianity, Pt. VI [ x1h0uiu_bbc-a-history-of-christianity-6of6-god-in-the-dock-hdtv-x264-ac3_tech] May 26: Asia Jacobsen, Video: The Jesus Experience: Asia Week Ten: North America May 31: North America Jacobsen, Video: The Jesus Experience: North America June 2: American Christianity: At a Crossroads Prothero, Religious Literacy, Film: American Jesus [Kanopy] Week Eleven: Final Exam June 10: Final Exam (8:00 am) 7