SYLLABUS: HS503 (Summer 2011) CHURCH HISTORY SURVEY
Beth Langstaff, Ph.D. June through end of July: Hoehenstrasse 11, Lossburg-Betzweiler, Germany, D-72290 Tel: (from USA) 01149-7455-1401 August through mid-September: 719 Pleasant St, Excelsior MN 55331 / Tel: 952-401-9697 [email protected] OR [email protected]
OUTLINE OF SYLLABUS 1. Course Description 2. Course Objectives 3. Required texts/readings 4. Course requirements 4.1. Lectures 4.2. Document Analyses 4.3. Discussion Forums 4.4. Reading Reviews 4.5. Primary Sources Project 4.6. Course Evaluation 5. Procedures for written assignments 6. Grading 7. Communication with instructor 8. Accessibility 9. Course overview
1. COURSE DESCRIPTION This course provides an introduction to the major movements within Christian history from the beginnings of the church to the present era. 2. COURSE OBJECTIVES HS503 is intended to help you to: (1) Gain an historical overview of Christianity throughout the world from the end of the first century to the beginning of the twenty-first. (2) Apply the tools of historical analysis to a variety of texts and topics. (3) Deepen your understanding of the wealth of Christian traditions, your own and others, past and present. (4) Examine contemporary issues of doctrine and praxis by interacting with Christians from other time periods and places. (5) Do “hands-on” historical research of your own.
3. REQUIRED TEXTS /READINGS
Justo L. González, The Story of Christianity, Vol. 1, The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation, revised ed. (New York: HarperCollins, 2010).
______. The Story of Christianity, Vol. 2, The Reformation to the Present Day, revised ed. (New York: HarperCollins, 2010).
H. Bettenson and C. Maunder, eds., Documents of the Christian Church, 3rd ed., (Oxford University Press, 1999). ISBN 0-19-288071-3 Selected excerpts.
Philip Jenkins, The Lost History of Christianity (HarperOne, 2008), pp. 1-35, available under Moodle/Resources. Week Reading for discussion forums 1 Justin Martyr, “Church Worship in the Second Century”, DCC, pp. 72-3. 2 The Martyrdom of Saints Perpetua and Felicitas, trans. H. Musurillo, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/maps/primary/perpetua.html plus Prologue, available under Moodle/Resources. 3 Athanasius, The Life of Antony, trans. Robert Gregg, CWS (Paulist Press, 1980), pp. 29- 44 (Introduction and Chapters 1-16), pp. 52-54 (Ch 28-30), pp. 82-84 (Ch 69-72), pp. 98- 99 (Ch 93-94). 4 Bede, History of the English Church and Peoples, ed. Judith McClure and Roger Collins (Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press, 1994), Book 1.23-26; 1. 29-33 (pp. 37-41, 55-61). 5 Apology of Patriarch Timothy of Baghdad before the Caliph Mahdi: http://www.uoregon.edu/~sshoemak/102/texts/timothy.html p. 60 through p. 65 ("....without Word and Spirit."); p. 68 ("The ancient prophets...") through p. 69 ("...they are also one."); p. 83 ("Our victorious King said...") through p. 90. 6 Martin Luther, “Preface to the Complete Edition of Luther's Latin Works” (1545): http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/preflat-eng.txt 8-9 Jonathan Edwards, Letter to the Rev. Thomas Prince of Boston (“The State of Religion at Northampton in the County of Hampshire, About 100 Miles Westward of Boston”): http://www.nhinet.org/ccs/docs/awaken.htm and Horace Bushnell, Christian Nurture, Discourse 1, http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=moa;idno=AFZ0908 OR Teresa of Avila, The Way of Perfection, Chapters 1, 21-25 http://cat.xula.edu/tpr/works/perfection/ http://www.ccel.org/ccel/teresa/way.html and Chapter 1 (The First Meeting) in A Pilgrim’s Tale, ed. Aleksei Pentkovsky, Classics of Western Spirituality (New York: Paulist Press, 1999), pp. 49-67.
4. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
4.1. LISTENING: Weekly lectures Estimated time commitment: 6 hours total A ½-hour lecture will be given each week; the audiovisual link for each week is listed each week on the Moodle main page, along with a lecture transcript. Each lecture is meant to give an overview of the period and to deal with one or two topics in detail.
4.2. DOCUMENT ANALYSES (15% each / total 30% of final grade) 4.2.1. Estimated time commitment: 16-20 hours (8-10 hours per analysis) 4.2.2. Length of each analysis (2 analyses are required): 3-5 pages / 750-1250 words. A 10% penalty will be applied to any paper shorter than 750 or longer than 1250 words (not including documentation). 4.2.3. Type of documentation required: page number or chapter references to primary text & footnotes or endnotes for any secondary sources (including textbooks). 4.2.4. Purpose of the assignment: to examine two primary sources (=two of the texts assigned for the weekly Discussion Forums in weeks 2-6) in detail and to identify and practice some of the skills needed for historical analysis. 4.2.5. Procedure: see the Adobe Connect session in week 1—also available as a transcript—for guidelines & sample analysis. Sign up for two analyses (Moodle main page) no later than Friday, 24 June. Each analysis should address the following points:
(1) ORIGIN (150-250 words): What does the text itself state or suggest about its author/editor, the time and place in which it was written, the author’s/editor’s purpose, and the intended audience? (2) CONTEXT (150-250 words): Sketch the historical context. What background information provided by textbooks and lectures (events, persons, theological debates, etc.) might aid the 21st- century reader in understanding this text? (3) CONTENTS (150-250 words): Summarize the text. Which points is the author concerned to make? How does the narrative or argument develop? Note: if you wish, you can write up this section in outline /point format. (4) TEXT & TEXTBOOK (150-250 words) Compare and contrast the text with the textbook’s treatment of the same material. How does González’s/ Jenkins’ perspective or purpose differ from that expressed or assumed in the text? Where do text & textbook differ in portraying main figures (such as Antony or Gregory) or narrating events? What elements of the text has González or Jenkins emphasized or downplayed? Cite specific examples from both text and textbook to support your observations. NOTE: If you wish, you may frame your answer as a letter from the author of the text (e.g. Luther) addressed to Justo González or (in the case of Patriarch Timothy) to Philip Jenkins, e.g. “I commend the way in which you have described a and b… you seem to have missed my point as far as c is concerned…. you make no mention at all of x or y…might I remind you that my purpose in writing was…”
(5) REACTION / REFLECTION (150-250 words) EITHER Raise a question, e.g. Challenge the hermeneutical method or critique the theology at a particular point or two OR Reflect out of or on your own experience, e.g. how is your reading of the text shaped by your own experience/theology? What assumptions do you bring to the text?
4.3. DISCUSSION FORUMS (15 % final grade) Estimated time commitment (including the assigned readings): 20-25 hours A discussion forum will be a weekly part of the course. These discussions are intended to overlap with other coursework (Document Analyses, Primary Sources Project), allowing you to present your work and to interact with course members. Topics: Week 1: (General forum) Introductions & Worship / Justin Martyr Week 2: (General forum) Martyrdom / Perpetua & Felicitas Week 3: (General forum) Monasticism / Athanasius Week 4: (General forum) Leadership & Mission / Bede Week 5: (General forum) Christianity & Islam / Patriarch Timothy Week 6: (General forum) Reformation / Martin Luther Week 7: Primary Sources Discussion Forum I Weeks 8-9: (Small groups) Revival & Christian Education Forum OR Prayer & Spirituality Forum Week 10: Primary Sources Discussion Forum II See Discussion Forum each week on Moodle for instructions. Grading: The Discussion Forum grade reflects participation in the discussion forums for weeks 1-6 & 8- 9. Primary Sources Discussion Forum 1 & 2 will be included in your Primary Sources Grade. You may miss ONE general forum (weeks 1-6) without penalty. If you participate in all forums, your lowest weekly grade will be discarded. Guidelines for participation: See the Adobe Connect session (also available as transcript) in week 1 for guidelines I am looking for thoughtful and timely participation that shows that you have taken the time to read carefully both assigned readings and the postings made by your fellow students. Posts and replies should contain substance (more than “Good point”) and meet an academic standard of English (instant-messaging style is not acceptable). As a rule, it makes sense to do the assigned textbook readings and listen to the lecture for the week before you turn to the discussion forum. I’ll keep track of the forums and respond to each week’s discussion. You’ll receive two cumulative grades, one for Weeks 1-5 and one for Weeks 6-10. 4.4. READING REVIEWS (15% each / 30% of final grade): Reading Review 1 (due Monday, 25 July) and Reading Review 2 (due Monday, 29 August)
4.4.1. Estimated time commitment: 20 - 25 hours (reading Story of Christianity and Documents of the Christian Church) + 10 – 14 hours (writing reviews /5-7 hours per review). 4.4.2. Type of documentation required: none 4.4.3. Purpose of assignment: to allow you to process both textbook and lectures, to get an overview of each major period, and to identify important themes, events, figures, shifts, etc. within that period. 4.4.4. Nature of assignment: short-answer/outline format (2-3 pages)—see sample answers.
The reading reviews are posted at the top of the Moodle main page.
4.5. PRIMARY SOURCES PROJECT (25% of final grade) 4.5.1. Estimated time commitment: 25-30 hours 4.5.2. Length of project (not including footnotes/endnotes/bibliography/ attachments): 2200-2400 words 4.5.3. Type of documentation required: footnotes or endnotes & bibliography for all primary and secondary sources. 4.5.4. Purpose of the assignment: to experience the “hands-on” work of a church historian: locating and sorting archive materials; reading, observing, and listening; interpreting and documenting; writing up one’s research. 4.5.5. Procedure: Listen to “Primary & Secondary Sources” (audio link / Moodle). For this assignment, you need to find: (1) a topic relating to church history, e.g. history of missions, worship, children’s ministry, leadership, church planting, social work, etc; and (2) a collection of primary sources, either online/printed or actual—archive materials such as journals, letters, meeting minutes, official documents, newspapers, photos, recordings, buildings /building plans, membership records, hymnals, etc. You might start with a collection of primary sources, and then pin down a topic… …skim the Bethlehem Digital History Project http://bdhp.moravian.edu/home/home.html and decide to focus on leadership or worship or church discipline in the Moravian community. …sort through the filing cabinet in the Children’s Ministry office and decide to investigate the first ten years of Children’s Ministry in your church. OR You might have a topic in mind (e.g. missions) and then search for a collection of primary sources… …track down newsletters, emails, photos, people to interview, etc. related to a particular missions project / trip recently organized by your church. …choose an online collection such as Kate and Sue McBeth, Missionary Teachers to the Nez Perce http://www.lib.uidaho.edu/mcbeth/welcome.htm).
***More detailed examples, a list of online collections of primary sources, and a sample project (missions in a local congregation) are posted on Moodle (see “Primary Sources Project Guidelines”)***
4.5.6. Project Proposal: Due Friday, 8 July Submit a proposal (about 200-250 words) for your project via Moodle, noting: (1) The topic—note the particular focus and parameters (e.g. time period). (2) The sources—the archive materials—you have located so far. What challenges might these sources present to you as historian? (e.g. gaps, bias, lack of records, fuzzy memories). 4.5.7. Project: Due Friday, 26 August (submit your project via Moodle) The project should include the following sections: (1) Context (about 200 words): give a little background on your subject, i.e. note how your “slice” fits into the larger “pie.” (2) Project (1800-2000 words): write up the results of your research, documenting your sources as you go. (3) Reflection (about 200 words): reflect on your research: Either Consider your project in light of one other discipline such as leadership, spiritual formation, hermeneutics or missions & evangelism. Does your project illustrate or challenge any principles, models or insights offered by this other discipline? OR How has your research, both the process and the final product, revised or challenged your understanding of an event, a period, a person, a church, a ministry, or a tradition?
Primary Sources Forums: the discussion forums in weeks 7 & 10 will provide an opportunity to discuss challenges of archival research (e.g. gaps in the records) and post the results of your research.
NOTE: This assignment has been identified as a required integrative assignment that you may wish to review and reference in future integrative coursework.
4.6. COURSE EVALUATION: Student course assessments are an important part of course development and enhancement. In order to recognize the value of your input and to encourage you to provide that input. Completing the course evaluation at the end of this course is included as a component of class participation. While your responses are anonymous, failure to submit an electronic evaluation will reduce your course grade by 2%. For any questions regarding the course evaluation process, please go to https://bethelnet.bethel.edu/ureg/bssp/eval_index.
5. PROCEDURES FOR WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS Please pay attention not only to what you write but to how you write. Points will be deducted if poor composition (grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.) makes your assignment difficult to read. Documentation is required for the Document Analysis and the Primary Sources Project. Written assignments are due no later than 11.55 p.m. (your time zone) of the stated due date. Unless other arrangements have been made, late assignments will be penalized one percentage point per day past the due date. I shall acknowledge receipt of your assignment within 24-48 hours. Please check with me if you do NOT receive this confirmation. I shall return your assignment, with corrections, comments, and grade, via Moodle (usually within a week).
6. GRADING Excellent work A – (90-92.99 %) A (93-100 %) Good work B – (80-82.99 %) B (83-86.99%) B + (87-89.99 %) Satisfactory work C – (70-72.99 %) C (73-76.99%) C + (77-79.99%) Poor work D – (60-62.99 %) D (63–66.99%) D+ (67-69.99%) Unsatisfactory work F (0-59.99 %) As indicated in the Bethel Seminary Catalogue, the entire grading scale of A-F is used. A grade of C is given to work that satisfactorily meets the basic requirements. Higher grades are reserved for work that distinguishes itself in terms of creativity, integrative analysis, critical thinking, and clarity of expression. The instructor reserves the right to round up grades. Academic Course Policies: Please familiarize yourself with the catalog requirements as specified in Academic Course Policies document found on the Registrar's website at: https://bethelnet.bethel.edu/ureg/bssp/acp/. You are responsible for this information, and any academic violations, such as plagiarism, will not be tolerated. All coursework must be submitted by Friday, 2 September to be included in the final grade. No Incompletes for the course will be given except in extreme circumstances and only with a signed Incomplete contract from the Registrar.
7. COMMUNICATION WITH INSTRUCTOR You are very welcome to contact me via email with any questions or comments; I shall get back to you as soon as I can (usually within 24 hours). If you need to contact me by phone, please take the time difference into account (Germany is 7 hours ahead of MN). If you are unable to meet a deadline due to illness or emergency, please get in touch with me earlier rather than later, i.e. before a due date rather than after it.
8. ACCESSIBILITY: Please contact the instructor as soon as possible if disability-related accommodations are needed. Accommodations for students with documented disabilities are set up through the office of Disability Services. Contact Disability Services at 651-638-6833. You may visit
Week 3 5 – 10 Monasticism Gonz. I: 22, **Thurs, 7 July: Athanasius Eastern July /Athanasius 25-28; DCC, analysis Christianity 102-3, 105-6 *Fri, 8 July: Primary Sources Project Proposal
Week 4 11-17 Leadership & Gonz. I: 29- **Thurs, 14 July: Bede analysis Medieval July Mission / Bede 30, 32-35; West DCC, 123, 152-4
Week 5 18-24 Christianity & Islam Gonz. I: 31, **Thurs, 21 July: Patriarch Timothy Beyond July / Patriarch Timothy 36-38, analysis Christendom Jenkins, pp. 1- 35
Week 6 25-31 Reformation / Gonz. II: 1-9, *Mon, 25 July: Reading Review 1 Renais- July Martin Luther (10), 11-12, **Thurs, 28 July: Luther analysis sance / (13), 14; DCC, Refor- 212-3, 281-2 mation Week 7 1-7 Primary Sources I Gonz. II: 15- *Fri, 5 Aug: Sign up for Revivalism Reason, August 16, (17), 18- or Prayer Forum Revival, & 19, 20 OR 21, Mission 22-24; DCC, 345-6
Week 8 8-14 Revivalism OR Gonz. II: 25- Christianity August Prayer Forums 27, 29 in North America Week 9 15-21 Revivalism OR Gonz. II: 28, Church in August Prayer Forums 30-32, 34-36; the Modern DCC, 373-4, World 366-9
Week 10 22-29 Primary Sources II Gonz. II: 33, *Fri, 26 Aug: Primary Sources World-wide August 37-38; DCC, Project Christianity 426-7, 396-7 *Mon, 29 Aug: Reading Review 2 *Fri, 2 Sept: final deadline for all coursework