UNDERSTANDINGS OF CHRISTIANITY

Transcription

1 GSTR 310 Prof. Duane Andre Smith Berea College Draper 203C; ex Fall 2010 Hours: MWF a.m.; Tr 1-3 p.m. UNDERSTANDINGS OF CHRISTIANITY 1. Course Description This course invites students to imagine and consider Christianity from stances both inside and outside the faith, from the vantage of various disciplines, as an instance of the general phenomenon of religion, and as a way of understanding life's purpose and meaning that remains important for many around the world. The course considers Christianity from historical, theological, and contemporary perspectives. Each section applies and builds on the reasoning, research, and writing emphases of GSTR 110 and 210. Prerequisite: GSTR 210 and sophomore standing. 2. Learning Outcomes Successful students will be able to: 1. articulate differences between approaching Christianity from a faith perspective and from the perspective of various academic disciplines, including the natural sciences; 2. describe diverse ways Christianity has been expressed in ideas and beliefs, ritual and spiritual practices, moral values and actions, and communities and institutions; 3. analyze various ways Jesus and the Bible have been, and continue to be, understood as central to Christianity and its relation to the world; 4. understand Christianity s complex relationships to its historical and cultural contexts; 5. read critically the Bible and other primary and secondary sources; 6. demonstrate appropriate writing, research, and critical thinking abilities. 3. Texts 1. Bettenson, Henry, and Chris Maunder, eds. Documents of the Christian Church. 3 rd ed. New York: Oxford UP, The Bible (almost any version will be acceptable). 3. Fredericks, James L. Faith Among Faiths: Christian Theology and Non-Christian Religions. New York: Paulist Press, Woodhead, Linda. Christianity: A Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford UP, Electronics Students are not to use cell phones (for talking or text messaging) or computers during class. All cell phones must be turned off before class. Anyone found to be using either device during class will be counted absent for that day. 5. Exams and Quizzes There will be two exams: a common exam on Wednesday, 27 October; and a final at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 15 December over material in the Seminar part of the class. There will also be weekly quizzes covering the assigned readings. GSTR 310: Understandings of Christianity 1

2 6. Paper Students in this section of GSTR 310 are expected to write a research paper of eight to ten pages. The paper is to use at least eight high-quality, non-internet sources (e.g. scholarly books, biblical commentaries, journal articles). They are to be double-spaced, written in Times 12 point font, have one inch margins, and follow guidelines for style and citations given for MLA in Diana Hacker s A Pocket Style Manual. Instructions for the the paper are attached. This common paper is due on Monday, 22 November at the beginning of class. 7. Church Visitation Students are expected to visit three different churches Episcopal/Roman Catholic; Pentecostal; and one of your choice Quaker is highly recommended and write a 6-page reflection comparing and contrasting the three churches. Bulletins should be collected from each church and handed in with the reflection. All visits should be completed and reflections handed in by Monday, 15 November. 8. Grade 1. 20% Common exam 2. 20% Common paper 3. 10% Common Bible reading exercise 4. 25% Final Exam 5. 10% Reflections on church visits 6. 15% Quizzes and class participation Achievement in this course is recorded by grades of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, F, U, SC, P, CP, and I. The definition of these letter grades is as follows: A/A- signify consistently outstanding achievement in all aspects of the course. B+/B/B- reflect work of good to very good quality; work at this level often has outstanding characteristics but is not as consistent throughout the term or in all aspects of the course as required of A or A- work. C+/C denote that the student has attained an acceptable level of competence; the student has demonstrated a basic understanding of the course material and abilities sufficient to proceed to more advanced courses in the area. C-/D+/D/D- indicate work that is minimally adequate; these grades raise serious concerns about the readiness of a student to continue in related coursework. F work is unsatisfactory and unworthy of credit. A UP grade at mid-term indicates D work; a UF grade at mid-term indicates failing work. Grading Scale: A 93% and above A % B % B % B % C % C % C % D % D % D % F 59.9% and below GSTR 310: Understandings of Christianity 2

3 9. Attendance Attendance is mandatory in this class. Four absences will be allowed during the semester. A half letter grade will be deducted from the semester grade for each absence in excess of four. There will be no make-up exams unless the student has made written arrangements with the professor ahead of time. 10. Schedule Week One Read: Thinking about Being a Student of Religion (handout). 30 August Introduction to the course. 01 September Why Study Christianity? Israelite history and religion Week Two Read: Genesis 1-22, 37-46; Exodus September Major Themes in Israelite religion: Creation. 08 September Major Themes in Israelite religion: Covenant and Law. QUIZ Week Three Read: Isaiah 1-11; Amos; Proverbs September Salvation History and Prophecy. DUE: HOMEWORK EXERCISE ON READING THE BIBLE 15 September Expectations of a Messiah. QUIZ TOPIC DUE. Week Four Read: Woodhead, chap. 1; Gospel of Mark; Gospel of Matthew 20 September Different Gospels. 22 September Different Gospels. QUIZ TENTATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE Week Five Read: Gospel of John; Acts; Galatians; Bettenson, pp September Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles. 29 September Christianity into the World. QUIZ. Week Six Read: Woodhead, chaps. 2-3; Bettenson, pp ; October Understandings of Jesus in the Early Church. 06 October MOUNTAIN DAY. NO CLASS. THESIS STATEMENT DUE. Week Seven Read: Woodhead, chaps. 4-5; Bettenson, pp ; October MIDTERM READING PERIOD. NO CLASS. 13 October Orthodox Christianity; Roman Catholicism; Protestant Reformation. QUIZ Week Eight Read: Woodhead, chaps. 6-7; Bettenson, pp October Liberal understandings of Jesus. 20 October Christian Missions and Ecumenism. QUIZ FIRST DRAFT OF PAPER DUE. GSTR 310: Understandings of Christianity 3

4 Week Nine Read: Philip Jenkins, The Next Christianity ; Bettenson, pp ; and Christianity in Asia (handout) 25 October Christianity in the World. 27 October COMMON EXAM. Week Ten Read: Bettenson, pp ; Judaism and Christianity ; Islam and Christianity ; and Buddhism and Christianity (handouts). 01 November Christianity and Other Religious Traditions: Judaism and Islam. 03 November Christianity and Other Religious Traditions: Buddhism. QUIZ Week Eleven 08 November Christianity s Encounter with the Other: An Introduction. Read: Fredericks, Introduction. 10 November Karl Barth s Exclusivism; Karl Rahner s Inclusivism. QUIZ Read: Hick, chaps Week Twelve 15 November Critiques of Barth and Rahner Read: Fredericks, chaps DUE: CHURCH VISITATION REFLECTIONS. 17 November John Hick, Paul Knitter, and Pluralism. QUIZ Read: Hick, chaps. 8-9; Fredericks, chap. 3. Week Thirteen 22 November Wilfred Cantwell Smith s World Theology Read: Hick, chap. 4; Fredericks, chap. 4. DUE: COMMON PAPER, at beginning of class. 24 November THANKSGIVING VACATION. Week Fourteen 29 November How Helpful IS Pluralism? Domesticating the Differences. Read: Fredericks, chaps December Comparative Theology: An Alternative. QUIZ Read: Fredericks, chap. 7. Week Fifteen 06 December An Exercise in Comparative Theology Read: Fredericks, chap December Conclusion and Review. Final Exam Wednesday, 15 December at 10 a.m. GSTR 310: Understandings of Christianity 4

5 GSTR 310 Common Exam Question 27 October 2010 What are the ways Jesus has been and continues to be central to Christianity? Your answer should be in the form of an essay that addresses each of the following distinct areas: 1. The use of the Old Testament by early Christians to understand Jesus. 2. The various images of Jesus found in the New Testament. 3. Some of the key issues in the Christological debates (debates over the nature of Christ, how his humanity related to his divinity, etc.) of the 3rd to 5th centuries of the Common Era. 4. Roman Catholic understandings of Jesus. 5. Eastern Orthodox understandings of Jesus. 6. Protestant understandings of Jesus. GSTR 310: Understandings of Christianity 5

6 GSTR 310: Understandings of Christianity Common Assignment: Research Paper Students in all sections of GSTR 310 are expected to build on the writing and research skills they developed in GSTR 110 and GSTR 210 in a research paper of eight to ten pages. Each paper must present a well-supported argument that addresses an explicitly stated thesis, as well as alternative points of view, and which employs a variety of appropriate academic sources. The papers will be graded on their focus, organization, clarity, grammar, strength of argument, style conventions, and selection and effective use of appropriate sources. While the paper may deal with a topic of deep interest and importance to the student, it should not take the form of a personal statement of beliefs. The paper should demonstrate a reasoned approach to the topic and a fair assessment of diverse points of view. This assignment is due 22 November. The paper is to use at least eight high-quality, noninternet sources (e.g. scholarly books, biblical commentaries, journal articles). It is to be doublespaced, written in Times 12 point font, have one inch margins, and follow the guidelines for style and citations assigned by your instructor from Diana Hacker s A Pocket Style Manual. Each student is to deliver the paper to the instructor of the section of GSTR 310 in which she or he is enrolled. Penalties for late papers will be determined by each instructor. The paper should focus on one of three areas: (1) biblical texts; (2) historical themes, figures, or issues; or (3) religious teachings and practices. Some choices of topics for papers, of course, may overlap one or more of these areas. Students should consult with their instructors about their choices of topics. 1. Research papers in the area of biblical texts might include topics such as: a systematic explanation of a biblical text (e.g., creation in the book of Genesis; one of Amos s oracles on social justice; a parable of Jesus), or an analysis of a particular time period covered in the Bible (e.g., the issues that led to the Divided Monarchy; the impact of the Exile on the religion of the Israelites; the Roman context for the Apostle Paul s ministry), etc. 2. Research papers in the area of historical themes, figures, or issues might address topics such as: a study of early Jewish Christianity; the development of Christian monasticism; the first Christian crusade; social or economic factors influencing the European reformations of the sixteenth century; the fundamentalist controversy of the early twentieth century; the origins of liberation theology; a study of one major historical figure (e.g., Julian of Norwich, John Calvin, Billy Sunday), etc. 3. Research papers in the area of religious teachings and practices might include topics such as: a comparison of Roman Catholic and Baptist positions on baptism or the Lord s Supper; a study of one Christian position or a comparison of two or more Christian positions on a selected moral issue like war, capital punishment, abortion, cloning; a study of Christian concepts of God; a study of Christian concepts of salvation or Christ, etc. GSTR 310: Understandings of Christianity 6

7 Instructions for visiting churches Students are expected to visit three different churches (Episcopal/Roman Catholic; Pentecostal; and one of your choice Quaker is highly recommended) and write a 6-page reflection, comparing and contrasting the three churches on the topics listed below. Bulletins should be collected from each church and handed in with the reflection. All visits should be completed and reflections handed in by Monday, 15 November. Remember, you are a guest please try to dress and act appropriately. You don t have to do everything the congregants do, but try not to draw attention to yourself. STRUCTURE What is the architecture of the church like? What is its style? What time period has influenced it? What does the inside of the church look like? What tools of worship are prevalent? What does it tell you about the beliefs or values of those who worship there? DRESS What are the people like? How are they dressed? Modest or extravagant? Do they appear to be affluent or poor? How do they act before, during, and after the service? How is the priest/pastor/leader dressed? What does this tell you about the beliefs or values of those who worship there? WORSHIP What happens during the worship service? How structured is the service? How much of the Bible is used? What are the prayers like? Does communion/the Eucharist take place? What happens during communion? Can you tell what is most important in the service? How involved in the worship experience are the people? Are they actively involved or just observers? How long does the service last? What does this tell you about the beliefs or values of those who worship there? GENDER Are both genders represented equally? Do both participate fully in the worship experience? Are there tasks that seem unique to the women? To the men? What does this tell you about the beliefs or values of those who worship there? OTHER OBSERVATIONS Does the church/meeting have a bulletin? What does it tell you about the church? Can you tell how involved the church is in the wider community? What else strikes you about the church? Does the church address the needs of all age groups? Are the needs of children addressed? How? GSTR 310: Understandings of Christianity 7