Dr. Jenrette—HIST 334.001 History of ChristianityHhhIU
Office hours: Mon 4-5:00 Wed 1:30-2:30; TR 10:30-noon and by appointment or walk-in
Office: Hendricks 146 Phone: 2575/1225 email:
http://users.edinboro.edu/jjenrette/ (for additional copies of the syllabus)
Course Description: HIST 334 surveys the history of Christianity to place its story within a universal experience. The account narrates Christianity’s geographic spread, reasons for the expansion, and the methods, agents, and agencies through which the spread took place. Particular emphasis will be placed upon issues of class, race, ethnicity, gender, colonialism, and imperialism.
Note: This is an historical examination of Christianity and its impact on global concerns. It is not a place to attempt to convert people to your own religious or nonreligious persuasion.
Texts: Tim Dowley, ed., An Introduction to the History of Christianity (recommended/optional)
Barbara McHaffie, HerStory: Women in Christian Tradition
Mary Gordon, Joan of Arc
Justo Gonzalez, Heretics for Armchair Theologians
Miguel de la Torre, Liberation Theology for Armchair Theologians
Other required readings may be announced
Course Objectives:
1. To examine in depth the history of the Christian Church
2. To analyze its impact on political, social, and economic life
3. To examine the writings of the leading “church fathers”
4. To examine the role of race, gender, and class in church history
5. To examine the role of Christianity in imperialism and colonialism
6. To examine the impact of feminist theology on the church
7. To examine Liberation Theology in the context of the global experience
8. To improve your oral and written communication skills
9. To examine through papers, discussions, essays, quizzes, etc., your comprehension of the material covered
Course Outcomes:
Each student will have:
1. An in depth knowledge of the historic foundations of Christianity
2. An understanding of the complexities surrounding gender, race, and class
in relation to the church and its operations
3. Knowledge of the significant theological issues in the early history of the church
4. Knowledge of the important people and events in church history
5. Developed a knowledge and in depth understanding of the complex history of
Christianity
6. Understanding of the role of Christianity in imperialism and colonialism
7. Understanding of the significance of Christianity in today's global society
8. Developed the ability to express your ideas in writing and oral communication
Methods of Assessment:
Each student will complete the following:
1. Exams. A Mid-term and a Final COMPREHENSIVE exam.
No make-up exams will be given without an authorized note. Only the professor has the authority to judge whether or not the note is legitimate. Exams will consist of both objective and subjective questions. Exam dates are tentative and may be changed by the professor if necessary.
2. Class Dialogue. The dialogue grade MAY consist of several parts including class discussion, in-class writing on reading assignments, and quizzes on the previous week’s lecture.
· At times I will assign discussion topics for which you must prepare. This means you will be expected to engage in research using your assigned books, lectures, the library, and the web. Discussion topics will generally be assigned 1 week in advance; however, “pop” discussions will occur each week.
· Each student will participate in classroom discussion of assigned readings. Failure to read the assignments and discuss them in class will result in a zero (0) for each time you CANNOT DISCUSS AN ASSIGNMENT!!! Therefore, if you are NOT going to read, DROP THIS CLASS. Class discussion will constitute 10% of your course grade. It will only take a couple of zero grades to reduce your final grade to an embarrassing low!!! The class will occasionally be divided into discussion groups and members of the group will be responsible for leading the discussion---no advance warning will be given; therefore, be prepared each week to lead discussion. Quizzes will be given if students fail to participate in discussion in a satisfactory manner.
· Possible Weekly Quizzes. Take-home and In-Class quizzes. Unannounced and Announced quizzes may be given on lectures and READING ASSIGNMENTS. If you leave early or arrive late and miss a quiz you cannot make it up. On several occasions, students MAY be asked to submit a 1-2 page typed reaction paper that describes and analyzes your reading assignments. LATE QUIZZES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED; THEREFORE, YOU WILL RECEIVE A ZERO (0) FOR EACH PAPER YOU FAIL TO TURN IN ON TIME!!! QUIZZES CANNOT BE MADE UP UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. I will drop the lowest quiz grade at the end of the session.
· In-class writing exercises on reading assignments.
3. Research Project. 15-20 pages. Students will identify a research project by the third class period. This project may be a traditional research paper, a documentary, a piece of artwork (painting, etc.), or some other creative work. Students who do not identify their specific project by the third week of the semester will do a traditional research paper AND I WILL ASSIGN THE TOPIC. Creative works must be accompanied with narrative and a list of sources. Further instructions will be given by the third week of class. You must follow Kate Turabian, A Manual for Writers. Failure to do your own work will result in an F for the course; in other words, if you plagiarize you will not pass this class. Late papers will be penalized by 20 points per day including weekends and holidays.
Deadlines:
· Topic selected, Wednesday, February 5
You must submit a formal, one-page, proposal which identifies your topic along with a thesis statement indicating the purpose of the project, and the kinds of sources (working bibliography) you might be able to use. You must also include a statement describing your methodology/plan.
· Bibliography, Wednesday, March 12
· Detailed Outline, Tuesday, April 2
· Final Paper, Wednesday, April 23 (no extensions)
4. Book Analysis. Each student will write a 3-5 page analysis of Gordon, Joan of Arc, Gonzalez, Heretics for Armchair Theologians, and Torre, Liberation Theology. Due April 16. Late papers will be penalized by 20 points per day including weekends and holidays. We will discuss this assignment further in class. We will also engage in class discussion on each of the assigned books. For the written assignment you are to identify a common theme that runs through each book and analyze how it is presented.
FAILURE TO COMPLETE ALL ASSIGNMENTS WILL RESULT IN AN F FOR THE ENTIRE SEMESTER.
CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM. The penalty for cheating on any assignment will be an F for the entire semester and you will be referred to the university judiciary process for further action. Plagiarism is taking credit from the ideas, writings, etc. of someone else. If you use ideas, words, etc. from a source other than yourself, and you will, then you must cite that source.
Grading Percentages: Grading Scale:
Mid-term Exam 20% 0-59 =F
Final Exam 25% 60-67 =D 68-69 =D+
Discussion/quizzes 20% 70-77 =C 78-79 =C+
Book Analysis 15% 80-87 =B 88-89 =B+
Research Proj/Paper 20% 90-100 =A
100%
Course Schedule:
Date Topic Reading Assignments
Jan. 22 Introduction
Judaism
Historic Setting
Biblical Images of Women/Men
Jan. 29 Life and Teachings of Jesus Dowley, Sect. 1
Jesus and Women MacHaffie, Intro-22
Paul the Apostle: Travels/Teachings
Feb. 5 The Early Church: Diversity, Division Dowley, Sect. 2
and Conflicts MacHaffie, pp. 23-27
Heretics discussion
Feb. 12 Varieties of Early Christianity Dowley, Sect. 3
Influence of Hellenism
Development of the Creeds
The Church of Empires
Feb. 19 The Middle Ages: For the Love of God Dowley, Sect. 4, pp. 304-315
Theology, Monasticism, and Schism MacHaffie, pp.28-42
Feb. 26 The Early Church Fathers Dowley, Sect. 4, pp. 260-303 The Medieval Papacy
Mar. 5 Eastern vs. Western Christianity Dowley, Sect. 4, pp. 226-306
The Crusades Joan of Arc discussion
Mar. 12 MID-TERM EXAM
March 17-23 Spring Break
Mar. 26 Scholasticism and Schism Dowley, Sect. 4, pp. 320-327
Virgin and Witch MacHaffie, pp.43-60
Renaissance and Humanism
Apr. 2 Reformation in Europe Dowley, Sect. 4, pp. 330-351
Calvin and Luther Dowley, Sect. 5
Anglican Reformation MacHaffie, pp.61-74
Protestant and Catholic Women
Catholic Reformation
Apr. 9 Reason, Revival, and Revolution Dowley, Sect. 6
Apr. 16 "God, Gold, Glory": Christianity Dowley, Sect. 7
in Spanish and Portuguese America
“The Mission”
Apr. 23 The Struggle for Humanity in a Fascist World Dowley, Sect. 8
Liberation Theology/Feminist Theology Liberation Theology discussion
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, M.L. King, Jr. MacHaffie, pp 75-155
Apr. 30 Christianity in the 21st Century Dowley, Sect. 8
May 7 Final Exam
Basic Ground Rules for Classroom Behavior:
1. Respect the right of others to have opinions that may differ from yours.
2. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated in this class. Disruptive behavior includes tardiness, leaving class early, talking, clicking pens, shuffling papers, book, etc., ringing or vibrating phones, text-messaging, alarming watches, gathering belongings before class is dismissed, turning work in late. TURN OFF YOUR CELLPHONES AS SOON AS YOU COME INTO CLASS!! IF YOUR PHONE RINGS, or if you are texting DURING CLASS, I WILL DEDUCT 10 POINTS FROM YOUR FINAL GRADE. Disruptive behavior also includes using a phone or laptop computer to “surf the net,” play games or anything not specifically part of the course during class. This is distracting to others and disrespectful. If you cannot use your laptop without going online or to play computer games, do not bring it to class. LAPTOPS ARE ONLY PERMITTED FOR NOTE-TAKING, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED BY THE PROFESSOR. 10 points per incident will be deducted from your final grade.
3. Do not come to class late—Regular and prompt class attendance is a requirement. Tardiness will result in the lowering of your course grade by 10 points per incident. Leaving class early also fits into this category.
4. One unexcused absence will be “tolerated” during this session. After the 1st cut, I will deduct 10 points from your final grade for each absence. If you miss class, regardless of the reason (excused or unexcused), YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MATERIAL COVERED. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY GET THE NOTES FROM A CLASSMATE. I WILL NOT REPEAT LECTURES FOR ANY REASON. IF YOU MISS MORE THAN 1 CLASS, DROP THIS COURSE. NO EXCEPTIONS.
5. Policy of Non-Discrimination and Affirmative Action: Edinboro University welcomes students, faculty, and staff from all racial, religious, national, and socio-economic backgrounds. Edinboro University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all in every aspect of its operations. The University has pledged not to discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, disability, organization affiliation, sexual orientation, and marital status. The policy extends to all educational, service, and employment programs of the University
6. Cheating and Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any violations will result in an F for the course and you will be referred to the judiciary process for further action.
7. If you are not willing to abide by these basic rules of appropriate behavior DROP THIS CLASS.
8. Failure to complete ALL assignments will result in an F for the course.