RELI 4102/6102: History of Christian Theology -- Modern/Contemporary

Dr. Sandy D. Martin, Professor Name________________________

Office: Peabody Hall, #9 Date _________________________

Hours: Mon. 1:30-3:00 Spring Semester 2007

Wed. 1:30 -3:00

Most Mondays/Wednesdays, 11:15-12:10

I. Course Description

This course surveys the major developments in Christianity from the fifteenth, but especially the sixteenth, century to the present. Attention will be paid to central/major themes, personalities, movements, and institutional structures during the designated period as well as significant representative concepts, persons, and movements. Only persons with junior or senior standing may take RELI 4102 without the expressed approval of the department. Only graduate students may enroll in 6102.

II. Course Rationale

In addition to any professional and theological concerns students might have, there are intellectual and practical points of interest. Christianity, found in practically every area of the world, has made a great impact upon individuals, movements, and cultures since its beginning nearly 2, 000 years ago. It has particularly influenced the economics, politics, literature, etc. of Europe and the Americas and is quickly growing in numbers and influence in Africa and portions of Asia. It is imperative, therefore, that we study this world religion in order to understand better our own culture and increasingly those of other peoples.

III. Required Texts/Readings

A. Required Texts:

1. Justo L. Gonzalez, A History of Christian Thought, Vol. 3

2. William C. Placher, ed., Readings in the History of Christian Theology, Vol. 2

3. Rebecca Moore, ed., Voices of Christianity: A Global Introduction

B. Not Required but helpful texts include:

1. John Leith, Creeds of the Churches

2. Barbara MacHaffie, Her Story and Readings in Her Story

III. Course Requirements, Grading Formula, and Attendance Policy

A. Written Work

I. Pre-final examinations/ Grad Paper….............................................. 66 2/3% or 75%

RELI/AFAM 4102 will have 2-3 pre-final exams; RELI 6102 will have 2 exams

and a paper, which will carry equal weight to the exams.

II. Final Examination ........................................................................... 33 1/3% or 25%

The final exam is cumulative, that is, covering the

entire course.

TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS ............................................................100%

NOTE: Good class participation and attendance may augment semester averages in borderline cases.

Projected and/or Tentative Exam/Paper Schedule:

Exam #1 -----------

Exam #2 -----------

Paper (6202)......

Exam #3 (?) -------

Final Examination:

B. Discussion Sessions

While this is primarily a lecture course, it is the intention of the instructor to have one class discussion session every 3 to 4 class periods. It is important that students keep abreast of all readings so that they might gain the maximum benefit from the discussion sessions as well as the course in general.

C. Attendance Policy and Grades; A Summary

1) Attendance is required and classroom participation is strongly encouraged.

2) No leaving before class period is officially dismissed.

3) Class roll will be taken during the first 5 minutes of scheduled class

time for each class period. Latecomers will be marked “late”; three lates equal one absence. Students arriving 10-15 minutes late will be marked extra

late; two extra lates equal one absence. If the student is not present during the first 15 minutes of each class session , that student will be marked absent

for that class period and is asked NOT to enter the class during that period. Unexcused absences beyond four class periods will result in two (2)

percentage points being deducted for each class period missed without excuse.

4) An excused absence is one that is unavoidable for emergency or pressing reasons.

5) Attendance and participation in the discussion sessions will be taken into consideration, especially when final averages are “borderline” between a lower and a higher grade. For example, students with an 88.8 average might receive A’s if their attendance and participation have been strong.

The Professor will use the following grading scale:

90-100 – ---A 87-89 -- B+ 77-79 -- C+

89.1-89.9 – A- 80-86 - B 70-76 -- C

79.1-79.9 – B- 69.1-69.9 – C-

67-69 -- D+

60-66 -- D Below 60 -- F

59.9 – 59.9 – D-

IV. Attendance Policy and Grades: More Detailed Discussion

Consistent with the instructor's own educational philosophy and the rules and regulations of the University of Georgia, attendance, regular and prompt, and for the entire duration of the class sessions, is required.

Absences 0 -- Very Good Attendance

1-2 -- Good Attendance

3-4 -- Fair Attendance

5 or more -- Bad Attendance

Note: Every unexcused absence above four (4) will result in a two point deduction from the overall semester grade for each such unexcused absence. Students who do not attend at least two (20) class sessions will receive an F for the course. Students are 100% responsible for all information missed because of absences. Exam dates are subject to change with at least a one-week notice. Students are responsible for keeping abreast of all exam schedules originally projected or revised. An excused absence is recognized by the professor for an absence that he concludes is either unavoidable for emergency and/or for which there is a vitally pressing reason(s) for such absence.

The professor will consider regular class attendance and classroom participation in assessing each student’s final grade. Therefore, class attendance and classroom participation might prove to be a very crucial, determinative factor in cases where the average is borderline between two grades.

Students are required to take all exams. Students who miss an exam for non-sufficiently valid reason(s) will be assigned "0" for that exam and the “0” will be computed as part of the final grade.

When an attendance sign-up sheet is not passed around, then the class roll will be taken 5-6 minutes after scheduled start time for class. Latecomers will be marked “late”; three lates equal one absence. Students arriving 10-15 minutes late will be marked extra late; two extra lates equal one absence. A student not present within the first 15 minutes of each class session will be marked absent for that class session and is requested not to enter the class during that period.

Additional Comments regarding Attendance, Participation, and Class Professionalism:

Consistent with the instructor's own educational philosophy and the rules and regulations of the University of Georgia, attendance, regular and prompt, and for the entire duration of the class sessions, is required. Students who have unavoidable appointments or unavoidable obligations that require their absence during any portion of the class time should see the professor prior to or as soon after the date of the appointment/obligation as possible because under no circumstances whatsoever should students leave class before it is dismissed by the professor. Students who cannot stay for the entire class period must miss that class period rather than leave during class time. Failure to abide by this policy will result in being marked absent for the entire class session and removal from class if the professor believes such becomes necessary.

Of course students must attend class on the examination days. Students are 100% responsible for all information missed because of absences. Exam dates are subject to change with at least a one-week notice. Students are responsible for keeping abreast of all exam schedules originally projected or revised.

This class will be largely lecture in nature. The professor will attempt to provide time for class discussion and participation. The professor will consider participation and discussion in determining final grades in borderline situations between two grades.

An excused absence is one for which a student has written proof (if at all attainable) that one's absence was necessitated by a valid cause, e.g., incapacitating illness, death in one's immediate or close family or of someone close to the student. (Sleeping late, hangovers, and studying for exams are not accepted as excused absences.) Doctor and dental appointments, participation in extra-curricular UGA activities, and job interviews may or may not be excusable. Consult the instructor prior to the absence, if at all possible; if such is not possible, then consult the instructor as soon as possible after the fact. Attendance at weddings, baptisms, bar or bat mitzvahs, etc. are not normally excusable absences. But, again, consult the instructor.

The professor does not generally give make-up examinations, even for unavoidable absences. Instead, if the class is given an extra exam, persons might use that one as a substitute for an exam missed because of valid reasons or they may take an extended final examination that compensates for an exam missed because of valid reasons.

V. Other Important Points

Honesty Policy: All academic work must meet the standards contained in “A Culture of Honesty.” All students are responsible to inform themselves about those standards before performing any academic work.

All students are required to be acquainted with and abide by the honesty policy of the University of Georgia. Students should do their own work, properly attribute credit when using that of others, be responsible, and be honest.

This Syllabus: The course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations announced to the class by the instructor may be necessary.

Office Hours: Note the professor's office hours and use them as the need or inclination arises. Remember, if you have questions or concerns, it is your responsibility to discuss these matters in a rational, courteous, and responsible manner with your instructor.

VI. Course Outline

A. Background

1. Christian Doctrines and History

2. Forerunners of the Reformation

3. Developments since 1500: Overview

Required Readings:

1) Gonzalez, Thought, Ch. 1

2) Placher, Theology -- no readings

3) Gonzalez, Story, pp. 2-13

B. Martin Luther and the Lutheran Reformation

Required Readings:

1) Gonzalez, thought, ch. 2

2) Placher, Theology, 11-19, 23-26, 34-37

3) Gonzalez, Story, chs. 2, 3

Graduate/Additional Readings (Graduate Students must read this section)

Leith, Creeds, 60-126

C. Ulrich Zwingli and the Swiss Reformation

Required Readings:

1) Gonzalez, Thought, ch. 3

2) Placher, Theology, 19-23

3) Gonzalez, Story, chs. 4,5

D. The Anabaptists and Radical Reformation

Required Readings:

1) Gonzalez, Thought, ch. 4

2) Placher, Theology, 26-34

3) Gonzalez, Story, ch. 6

Graduate/Additional Readings:

Leith, Creeds, 281-308

E. John Calvin and the Reformed Tradition

Required Readings

1) Gonzalez, Thought, ch. 6

2) Placher, Theology, 58-69

3) Gonzalez, Story, ch. 7

Graduate/Additional Readings:

Leith, Creeds, 127-230

F. The Anglican Reformation and the Puritan Movement

Required Readings:

1) Gonzalez, Thought, ch. 7

2) Placher, Theology, 69-81

3) Gonzalez, Story, chs. 8, 17

Graduate/Additional Readings

1) Leith, Creeds, 230-281; 334-399

2) Gonzalez, Thought, chs. 9-11

G. The Catholic Reformation

Required Readings:

1) Gonzalez, Thought, ch. 8

2) Placher, Theology, 38-57

3) Gonzalez, Story, chs. 12, 13

Graduate/Additional Readings:

1) Leith, Creeds, 399-446

2) Gonzalez, Story, chs. 14-20

H. The Ages of Reason and Piety (1650-1850)

Required Readings:

1) Gonzalez, Thought, chs. 11, 12

2) Placher, Theology, 82-106

3) Gonzalez, Story, chs. 21, 23, and pp. 228-231 and pp. 244-246

Graduate/Additional Readings:

1) Leith, Creeds, 334-358

2) Gonzalez, Story, ch. 22

I. Journeying Towards the End of European Hegemony: African, Asian, Latin American, and African-American Christianity (ca. 1800-ca. 1930)

Required Readings:

1) Gonzalez, Story, ch. 30

2) Sernett, Afro-American Religious History:

(a) George Liele and Andrew Bryan, pp. 43-50 (b) Jarena Lee, pp. 160-179 (c) Elsie W. Mason, pp. 285-295

Graduate/Additional Readings:

Gonzalez, Story, chs. 24-27

J. Protestant Theology and Movements: 19th and early 20th Centuries

Required Readings:

1) Gonzalez, Thought, ch. 13

2) Placher, Theology, 114-129, 130-155

3) Gonzalez, Story, ch. 28

K. Catholic and Orthodox Leaders and Movements since 1400

Required Readings:

1) Gonzalez, Thought, ch. 14, 15

2) Gonzalez, Story, ch. 29

Graduate/Additional Readings:

Leith, Creeds, pp. 447-484; 485-517; 658-670; 724-736

L. Some Twentieth Century Developments

Required Readings:

1) Gonzalez, Thought, ch. 16

2) Placher, Theology, 156-189

3) Gonzalez, Story, chs. 31, 32, 33

Graduate/Additional Readings:

Leith, Creeds, pp. 517-703

Gonzalez, Story, chs. 34, 35

M. Some Twentieth Century Developments: Issues of Liberation and Oppression

Required Readings:

1) Placher, Theology, 190-203

2) Sernett, Afro-American, “letter ...” by Martin Luther King, Jr., pp. 430-445

N. Other Issues, Conclusion, Course Evaluation

Required Readings: To Be Assigned

Graduate/Additional Readings: To Be Assigned

VII. Approximate Semester Schedule

Topic Approximate Dates Course Outline

Introduction and Background .. Jan. 8, 11, 13, 15, 18 ................ A

Martin Luther ..............Jan. 20, 22, 25................................B

Ulrich Zwingli ..............January 27, 29 ...............................C

Anabaptists ................ February 1, 3 .................................D

John Calvin and Exam #1 .. Feb. 5, 8, 10 (Exam #1), 12 ...........E and Ex #1

Anglican Reformation/Puritan Movement .. Feb. 15, 17 ...............F

Catholic Reformation ........Feb. 19, 22, 24 ............................G

Reason and Piety .............Feb. 26, March 1, 3 .......................H

Away from European Hegemony .....March 5 ............................I

Spring Break ............March 8-March12................................BREAK

Fr. Hegemony & Exam #2 ..March 15, 17 (Ex#2), 19, 22 ..........I cnt’d,Ex#2

Protestant Theology ..........March 24, 26, 29 ..........................J

Catholic/Orthodox ............March 31, April 2 ......................... K

20th Cent. Dvlpmnts .........April 5, 7 ................................... L

20th Cent. Lib./Opr & Ex #3?...April 9, 12, 14 (Ex #3?), ..........M and Ex #3?

Other Issues and Conclusion ... Ap 19, 21, 23, 26, 28 .................N

Note: The above schedule is an approximation and is, thus, subject to modification in terms of content and time.

READING ASSIGNMENTS ON COURSE OUTLINE

From time to time the professor may make modifications to the above listed readings.

NOTE: Keep this syllabus and consult it often. If it is lost, please request another from the instructor. Students are encouraged, expected and advised to ask questions during the quarter about this syllabus in particular or the course in general concerning points which they feel require greater clarity. The instructor reserves the right to alter the format or content of this course outline as his professional discretion dictates or allows. But the basic format and content should remain reasonably intact.