TS794DI: Syllabus Professor: Kyle A. Roberts

TS502: Syllabus page 9

Fall Quarter, 2010 Phone: 651-638-6166

Bethel Seminary Email:

Traditonal, St. Paul DI TA Name: Adam Rao

TA Email:

Epistemology

Course Description

An analysis of the sources, methods, and limits of human knowing. This course covers classical views of knowledge and interacts with contemporary philosophical discussions. It raises the problem of knowledge in light of the cultural and intellectual developments broadly classified as postmodernism. It also addresses the special problems related to questions of religious knowledge (from Catalogue).

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, each student will be able to:

1. Understand the intellectual landscape of current epistemological frameworks and options.

2. Address epistemological challenges from both modernity (e.g. skepticism) and

postmodernity (e.g. relativism or pluralism) within a broadly Christian theological standpoint.

3. Understand what is at stake in religious epistemological debates such as the relation

between faith and reason, the question of authority, the role of religious experience in

knowledge, the question of justification (of knowledge), etc.

4. Articulate the historical development of epistemology as a distinct discipline while situating contemporary discussions in light of historical precedents (in philosophy and theology).

5. Communicate their own working epistemologies in conjunction with their theological, apologetic and faith commitments.

6. Understand the relation between epistemology, hermeneutics, theology and Scripture.

7. Love and know God better by the power of the Spirit and because of the work of

God in Christ.

Required Texts

Paul Moser, Dwayne Mulder and J.D. Trout. Theory of Knowledge: A Thematic Introduction. Oxford University Press, 1998. ISBN: 195094662

Paul Helm. Faith and Reason. Oxford University Press, 1999. ISBN: 192892908

Stanley Grenz and John Franke. Beyond Foundationalism: Shaping Theology in a Postmodern Context. Westminster John Knox Press, 2001. ISBN: 664257690

Esther Meek, Longing to Know. Brazos Press, 2003. ISBN: 1587430606

Additional Readings:

Mary Solberg. Compelling Knowledge: A Feminist Proposal for an Epistemology of the Cross. State University of New York Press, 1997. ISBN: 791433803

Miscellaneous

· Inclusive Language. In accordance with Bethel Seminary policy, inclusive language should be used in class discussions and papers.

· Contact Information: I am available for email correspondence at most any time. You may also feel free to contact my TA (information provided above). If you need to set up a phone conversation, we can schedule that via email.

· Plagiarism will result in failure of that paper, project or test and will be reported to the Student Life committee.

· Academic Course Policies. Please familiarize yourself with the catalog requirements as specified in Academic Course Policies document found on the Syllabus page in Moodle. You are responsible for this information, and any academic violations, such as plagiarism, will not be tolerated.

· Attendance: If you are taking this course as a traditional, St. Paul student (section “DI”), attendance at all sessions is required. Sessions are briefer than a typical St. Paul course, so it is imperative that each student be in attendance at every session. If you need to be absent for some reason, please let the professor know in advance. Only one excused absence is allowed. Otherwise, for each class missed, a deduction of up to ½ letter grade may be applied.

· Late Work Policy. In accordance with the Bethel catalog and standard of expectations regarding submission of work, all assignments are expected to be submitted on or before the date listed in the syllabus. Late submissions may be accepted (except for online discussions, which must be submitted during the week in which the discussion takes place) but they will be subject to grade deductions of up to one letter grade per each day late. This means that a late assignment which otherwise would merit an A might receive a B, a B could go to a C, etc.

Course Requirements

Lectures and Interactions (10%)

While this course is reading-heavy, an important component is the combination of lectures and discussions. There will be an approximately 30-45 minute lecture most weeks (except the two intensive/reading weeks) followed by small group discussions. Attendance and participation in both the lectures and the small group discussions are mandatory. Full, active participation in both of these venues will enable the full acquisition of the 10%.

Final Course Evaluation (2%)

In order to expedite the final course evaluation process, Bethel Seminary is moving to an online course evaluation. In order to encourage complete student participation process we are allocating 2% of each final course grade to the completion of the evaluation. As before, your feedback will be anonymous and will not be seen by the professor until after the course.

“Faith and Reason” Moodle Discussions (10%)

In addition to the lectures and small group discussions, throughout the course several discussion forums will be open to enable interaction with selected readings from the Paul Helm text, “Faith and Reason.” For each discussion forum, students will be expected to post one substantive comment (in response to a question posed by the professor) and to offer at least three comments on other students’ posts (for a total of four “postings” per forum). The initial, substantive post is due on Friday of the week in which the discussion takes place, with the follow-up, interactive posts due on the Monday of that same week.

“Longing to Know” Book Review (18%)

Write a 750-1000 word interaction paper (double-spaced) and do three things. (1) Summarize, as concisely as possible, Meek’s thesis and “argument.” (2) Offer a response / critique of her argument and the content of the book. What were/are her most salient points? What needs further development, elaboration or argument? (3) Suggest several main points or themes that this book offers to the discussion of epistemology in the context of evangelical theology and the church.

Research Paper (30%)

This assignment will enable you to engage deeply with particular theme, issue or question in epistemology, in particular as it relates to the task of Christian theology in a postmodern context. The paper should be 10-12 pages (or 2500-3000 words). You will be given more detailed instructions regarding the expectations of the assignment in class. The paper is due Nov. 30. The papers will be graded according to the following scheme:

Total possible: 30 points

Communication (Ethos): 10 points

Does the paper contain:

- A clear introduction and thesis question? (the issue you are going to research/pursue)

- A logical, coherent and consistent argument?

- A clear, concise and lucid presentation? (includes spelling, grammar, and syntax)

- A summary (even if tentative) conclusion supported by the argument

Content (Logos): 10 points

Does the paper demonstrate:

- Knowledge of issue(s) raised in the paper, including alternative approaches and interpretations of secondary literature?

- Adequate understanding of the concept/issue and in particular and epistemology in general?

- Facility in interdisciplinary relation of epistemology with other disciplines, primarily theology and philosophy.

- Ability to reason critically, analyze carefully and reflect holistically

Constructiveness (Pathos): 10 points

Does the paper reveal:

- Concern about the relevance of the issue/question for one’s personal, spiritual transformation

- Concern about the relevance of the issue/question for one’s vocation in the Church and for one’s ministry in the world

- Reflection on the importance of the subject for the theological task

Epistemology Integration Paper (30%)

This paper will enable you to engage deeply with the ideas and themes encountered in this course. Your paper should reflect an in-depth reading of and engagement with the material from the texts (esp. Moser and Grenz/Franke) as well as themes and motifs encountered in class lectures and discussions. Your paper should be guided by the question, “What does epistemology have to do with the faith and practices of Christian life and ministry? While the paper should be integrative, it should be guided by a narrowly defined and demonstrable thesis statement. It should be 12-15 pages in length, double-spaced, and should have 12-15 sources cited.

To ensure that the paper is integrative, you should explain the connection of epistemology to theology, Christian thought and practice. You may choose to show the importance of epistemology to other academic disciplines, such as biblical studies, leadership studies, spiritual formation, history, psychology and sociology (you do not need to include all of these subjects).

Communication (Ethos): 10 points

Does the paper contain:

- A clear introduction and thesis question? (the issue you are going to research/pursue)

- A logical, coherent and consistent argument?

- A clear, concise and lucid presentation? (includes spelling, grammar, and syntax)

- A summary (even if tentative) conclusion supported by the argument

Content (Logos): 10 points

Does the paper demonstrate:

- Knowledge of issue(s) raised in the paper?

- Adequate understanding of theologies or theologians presented?

- Facility in interpretation and theological use of biblical material?

- Ability to reason critically, analyze carefully and reflect holistically?

Constructiveness (Pathos): 10 points

Does the paper reveal:

- Concern about the relevance of the issue/question for one’s personal, spiritual transformation

- Concern about the relevance of the issue/question for one’s vocation in the Church and for one’s ministry in the world

- An appreciation and concern for the traditions and tasks of theology

Grading

The final grade for the class will be a composite of the following: Lectures/Small Group Discussions (10%), “Faith and Reason” Moodle Discussions (10%), Final Course Evaluation (2%), Meek Book Review (18%), Research Paper (30%), Integration Paper (30%). The final grade (possible 100%) will be based on the following scale:

A 94-100 B- 80-83 D+ 67-69

A- 90-93 C+ 77-79 D 64-66

B+ 87-89 C 74-76 D- 60-63

B 84-86 C- 70-73 F 0-59

Course: Integrative Seminar

Roberts: Fall Quarter 2010

Theme / Preparation
Week 1:
Sept. 28 – Oct. 4 / Introduction to Epistemology
Is epistemology a legitimate discipline?
Thoughts on the “lay of the land”
Introduction to the very idea of “knowledge”
On the value of epistemology / Reading:
Moser, chps. 1-2
Doing
Introduce yourself on Moodle (by Oct. 5 – Tues. 9:00 am of the following week)
Lecture and Interaction (Sept 30, 9:00-11:00 am)
Week 2:
Oct. 5 - 11 / Belief
The relation between belief, knowledge, truth,
justification and other crazy things
Faith and Reason: The Classical Background / Reading:
Moser, chp. 3
Helm, Part I
Doing
“Faith and Reason” Moodle
Discussion (first post due Oct. 9;
three follow-up posts due Oct. 12)
Lecture and Interaction (Oct. 7,
9:00-11:00 am)
Week 3:
Oct. 12 - 18 / Truth
Correspondence, Coherence, Pragmatism
Faith and Reason: Judeo-Christianity and the
Classical World / Reading:
Moser, chp. 4
Helm, Part 2
Doing
“Faith and Reason” Moodle
Discussion (first post due Oct. 16;
three follow-up posts due Oct. 19)
Lecture and Interaction (Oct. 14,
9:00-11:00 am)
Week 4:
Oct. 19 - 25 / Justification
The Regress Problem
Coherentism, Foundationalism,
Post-foundationalism
Faith and Reason: The Medieval Period / Reading
Moser, chp. 5
Grenz/Franke, Part 1
Helm, Part 3
Doing
“Faith and Reason” Moodle
Discussion (first post due Oct. 23;
three follow-up posts due Oct. 26)
Lecture and Interaction (Oct. 21,
9:00-11:00 am)
Week 5:
Oct. 26 – Nov. 1 / Justification
(continued from previous week)
Faith and Reason: Renaissance and Reformation
Reading Week: No lecture or synchronous (live) discussion. / Reading
Moser, chp. 5
Helm, Part 4
Doing
“Longing to Know” Book Review
Due (Due Nov. 1)
“Faith and Reason” Moodle
Discussion (first post due Oct. 30;
three follow-up posts due Nov. 2)
Week 6:
Nov. 2 - 8 / Scripture and Epistemology
Faith and Reason: Seventeenth and Eighteenth
and Centuries
Reading Week: No lecture or synchronous (live) discussion. / Reading
Grenz/Franke, Part 2, chp. 3
Helm, Part 5
Doing
“Faith and Reason” Moodle
Discussion (first post due Nov. 5;
three follow-up posts due Nov. 8)
Week 7:
Nov. 9 - 15 / Sources of Knowledge
Rationalism, Empiricism, Intuition
Faith and Reason: The Nineteenth Century / Reading
Moser, chp. 6
Grenz/Franke, Part 2, chps. 4-5
Helm, Part 6
Doing
“Faith and Reason” Moodle
Discussion (first post due Nov. 13;
three follow-up
posts due Nov. 16)
Lecture and Interaction (Nov. 11
9:00-11:00 am)
Week 8:
Nov. 16 - 22 / Rationality
Certainty and Uncertainty
Decision-Making
The Twentieth Century: Faith and Hard Science
Professor is attending Evangelical Theological
Society: no lecture or synchronous (live)
discussion / Reading
Moser, chp. 7
Grenz/Franke, chp. 6
Helm, Part 7
Doing
“Faith and Reason” Moodle
Discussion (first post due Nov. 20;
three follow-up posts due Nov. 23)
Week 9:
Nov. 23 - 29 / Thanksgiving Week / No Assignments (Work on Research Paper)
Week 10
Nov. 30 – Dec. 6 / Skepticism
Species of Skepticism
Naturalism
Common-Sense Realism
The Twentieth Century: Faith, Realism and
Pluralism / Reading
Moser, chp. 8
Grenz/Franke, chp. 7
Helm, Part 8
Doing
Research Paper Due
(Dec. 7)
“Faith and Reason” Moodle
Discussion (first post due Dec. 4;
three follow-up posts due Dec. 7)
Lecture and Interaction (Dec. 2,
9:00-11:00 am)
Week 11:
Dec. 7 - 11 / Epistemology and Explanation
Explanatory Knowledge
The Twentieth Century: Reason and Belief in
God / Reading
Grenz/Franke, chp. 8
Helm, Part 9
Lecture and Interaction (Dec. 9,
9:00-11:00 am)
Integrative Paper Due (Dec. 14)

ph654-201113-f10-di-roberts_k.doc : 10/27/2010 4:51 PM