Northern Seminary TH 450 AFRICAN AMERICAN THEOLOGY April 2 June 4, :00 PM 9:40 PM Dr. Bruce L. Fields

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1 Northern Seminary TH 450 AFRICAN AMERICAN THEOLOGY April 2 June 4, :00 PM 9:40 PM Dr. Bruce L. Fields (bfields@tiu.edu) SYLLABUS COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is a historical/theological survey of reflections on biblical truth in the African American church. Sociocultural and political factors come to bear on theological reflection and formulation. Thus, the lives and times of influential thinkers will be the lenses for this investigation. We will attempt a study of theologians and theological themes from the times of slavery to the present. We will be looking at representatives as they emerge from various traditions such as: Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal, as well as a transcendent movement of a more contemporary perspective, Black Theology. COURSE OBJECTIVES: By the end of this course, a student will be able to: 1. Become reacquainted with the elements that can contribute to theological formulation. 2. Trace historical people and events contributing to developments in African American theological formulation. 3. Identify unique theological emphases in the thought of past and present African American theologians: such as Bishop Daniel Payne, Howard Thurman, and James Cone. 4. Become more adept at making needed connections between theological formulation and confession, with needed responses to specific issues confronting the Church. It would certainly be appropriate to consider and to respond to specific contemporary issues confronting the African American Church. COURSE TEXTBOOKS: Required: Evans, James H. Jr. We Have Been Believers: An African-American Systematic Theology. (Edited by Stephen Ray, 2012) Minneapolis: Fortress Press, $29.00 ISBN: pages [WHBB] Sanders, Cheryl J. Saints in Exile: The Holiness-Pentecostal Experience in African American Religion and Culture. New York: Oxford Press, $ ISBN: pages [SIE] Sernett, Milton C. Editor. African American Religious History: a Documentary Witness. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, $ ISBN: pages [AARH] 1

2 Select One for reading and a Book Review: Anyabwile, Thabiti M. The Decline of African American Theology: From Biblical Faith to Cultural Captivity. Downers Grove: IVP, $15.44 ISBN: pages Cone, James H. God of the Oppressed. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Press, $16.20 ISBN: pages Recommended: A bibliography, that hopefully will be helpful, will be distributed. However, no readings are required from this list. COURSE ASSIGNMENTS: 1. Reading: All reading listed in the course outline must be accomplished by the time you turn in your final paper. You will report the percentage that you have read with the submission of this paper (see below). Reading and class participation are worth 30 points. Class attendance is assumed. 2. Book Review: Select either the work by Anyabwile, or Cone, and write an interactive/evaluative review of the work. The paper should be 4 5 pages long, typed, double-spaced, in 12 font. The paper should be completed by Monday, April 30th. We will be discussing these works as part of that class period. (Worth 40 pts.) 3. Final Exam: There will be a take-home final exam dispersed at the end of the last class period. I will explain the format a week before the last class period. It will be on material that I discuss in class. Unless I incorporate reading material, it will not be a part of the exam. You will have two hours to complete it. The exam must be postmarked no later than June 11, The exam is worth 80 points. Responses should be hand-written. You could scan it and send it to me by attachment. Otherwise, you may send it to my school address: Bruce L. Fields Trinity Evangelical Divinity School 2065 Half Day Road Deerfield, IL Class Paper: You will write a paper on subjects suggested subjects below, or one that interest you, with your instructor s approval. Consider the following: - The thought of an African American theologian on a particular doctrine. This could also include the thought of a Womanist theologian (African American women formulators). 2

3 - Formulate a biblical/theological response to a defense for slavery. - Select a problem or issue facing the African American Church and consider three theological categories (Doctrine of God, Doctrine of Christ, Doctrine of the Church, etc.) that you believe help contribute a solution to that problem or issue. - Incorporating at least three theological categories (see above), present your view of the proper relationship between the Church and the government for this day. The paper should be pages in length. It should be typed double-spaced, in 12 font. It is due Monday, June 4th. You may send it by mail, or by attachment. The paper is worth 100 points. PLEASE NOTE: Come to class on Monday, May 14 th, prepared to present an idea for a paper to the class whereby we can then offer suggestions towards the strengthening of the final work. Each presenter will take about 10 minutes for presentation and interaction. WORKING SCHEDULE OF TOPICS WITH READINGS: WEEKS 1-2: Topic(s): The Nature of Theological Formulation Beginnings of Theological Reflections affected by Slavery Readings: AARH: Sections 1 13 WHBB: Forward, Preface, Introduction, Chapter 1 WEEKS 3-4: Topic(s): African American Church Reaction to Slavery The Influence of Activistic Denominations Focus Upon Some Influential Voices Beginnings on Pentecostalism Readings: AARH: Sections 14 24; 27-31; SIE: Chapters 1 3 WHBB: Chapter 2 WEEKS 5-7: Topic(s): Pentecostalism (cont d) Discussion on Book Revies Post-slavery Developments May 14 th Brief Presentations on Paper Projects 3

4 Readings: AARH: Sections 40, 43, 44 46; SIE: Chapters 4-7 WHBB: Chapter 5 WEEKS 8-9: [No Classes on Memorial Day May 28 th ] Topic(s): Developments in Black Theology Closing Matters on Black Theology and Previous Material Readings: AARH: Sections 54, WHBB: Chapters 3-4; 6 8; Afterword CALCULATION OF GRADE: Class Participation and Reading: - 30 course points Book Review - 40 course points Final Exam - 80 course points Class Paper Project course points - Total 250 points The grade is calculated based upon the percentage of achieved points. GRADING SCALE: A = A- = B+ = B = B- = C+ = C = C- = D+ = D = D- = F = 59 and below FOR CERTIFICATE PARTICIPANTS: 1 From the reading: all the readings from African American Religious History must be accomplished. (20 course points) 2 Paper: A paper with format similar to what has been addressed above. The difference is that this type of paper should be 5-6 pages in length. It is due at the time listed above and could address any of the topics listed. (60 course points). 3 The Final Grade will be calculated using the percentages listed above. [Total course points available 80 points] 4

5 POLICIES FOR ALL MASTERS CLASSES NOTE: All communications from the seminary will go to your seminary account. Contact if you need help forwarding your seminary address to your personal address. As a seminary community we hold integrity/hospitality as core values. Individuals are able to do their best work and thinking when their peers are fully present and engaged. We expect each person to both participate in class and carefully listen to others with the belief that everyone s contribution is equally important. Therefore, the following policies have been established in order to provide clarity in regard to attendance expectations and relationships in the classroom. Diploma/Certificate Student Course Requirements The amount of work required of Diploma/Certificate students will be at the discretion of the professor. Students will be responsible for contacting the professor about what assignments are required. Class Attendance Policy It is expected that students will attend and participate in all class sessions. Failure to attend at least 80% of class sessions is grounds for automatic failure. A professor may set other more strict attendance expectations for a given course. Students are always expected to communicate with a professor in advance if they will be absent. Attendance expectations are higher for online, intensive courses, and integrative seminar (see syllabus for specific requirements). Class Tardiness Policy The third time a student is late to the start of class, it will be counted as a class absence. It is also expected that students will return from a break by the time specified by the professor. Food in the Classroom Drinks are welcome in the classroom. Food should only be consumed in the student commons and the breakroom. Please limit eating to before, after or during breaks from class. Late Work Policy If a student cannot complete the work for a course by the due date listed on the syllabus, they must submit a Request for a Grade of Incomplete form to the Registrar by 4:30 of the last day of the term. The form must be signed by the instructor and Dean of Students. The professor may set stipulations and grade reductions. In the absence of a formal request form, the student will receive a grade based upon work completed by the last day of the term. Turabian Format All papers, including footnotes and bibliography, must be submitted in the correct format according to Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 8 th ed., Plagiarism Plagiarism is the act of passing off as one s own the words or ideas of someone else without providing proper acknowledgement or documentation. See the Academic Honesty Policy in the Seminary Catalog for more information on plagiarism and how to avoid it. 5

6 Electronic Format Unless otherwise specified by the professor, all work submitted electronically must be in a Word document format (.doc,.docx). Technology Use in the Classroom Unless it is directly tied to note-taking or research for the class, students are expected to refrain from using cell phones, laptops, or other electronic devices during class.. 6