Meeting
Times: Period 3: MWF 9:00 am
Th 8:00 am is our fourth hour and may be used as necessary for make-up classes,
writing workshops and study help sessions.
Meeting Place: CC 4
Professor: Dr. Loye Ashton
Office: CC10
Office Hours: MTWTh 2:00-3:00 pm and by appointment
Phone: 601-974-1333
Email: ashtol@millsaps.edu
Course Description:
This course is designed
to offer students the opportunity to explore the major figures and themes
of modern and contemporary Christian theology, focusing mainly on the twentieth
century. Throughout our study we will pay close attention to the four C's:
context, content, critique, and comparison.
In order to understand the theologians and ideas we encounter, we will need to situate them within their own historical, social, political, and theological context. What events, problems, questions, and/or experiences motivated or shaped this particular set of claims?
The mastery of content is also of crucial importance; thus you will be challenged to identify and articulate, both orally and in writing, the major claims and methods implied and asserted by each thinker and movement. What is the thinker's main goal? How does she or he attempt to reach it? What ideas/concepts/claims are central to the thinker's argument? Can you explain them? To what does this thinker or movement grant authority?
Each major figure or movement we study will also need to be subjected to critique; that is, their ideas and methods will be evaluated in terms of logic, coherence, complexity, relevance, as well as theoretical and practical applications. What are strengths and weaknesses of a given concept, model, or argument?
Finally, our understanding of contemporary Christian theology will be enhanced
by subjecting the various thinkers and claims to comparison with one another.
How is this thinker's concept of God, truth, goodness, redemption, the human
condition, and/or religion different from another's? What assumptions, claims,
methods, or goals do they share?
For religious studies majors, this course will serve as an excellent means of preparation for comprehensive exams because it will allow students the opportunity to encounter several of the most influential thinkers of our time. It will also challenge each student to become acquainted with one thinker or movement in considerable depth: each student will focus their major paper around one figure/movement and one topic. For non-majors, the course should enhance their understanding of both Christianity and the contemporary world by exposing them to questions, claims, and people that have shaped the theory and practice of twentieth-century life and thus set the stage for how Christian theology will unfold in the early twenty-first century.
Course Texts:
Course readings will
be drawn from these required books (plus library reserve readings):
" William C. Placher, editor, Essentials of Christian Theology, Westminster
John Knox Press, 2003.
" Clifford Green, editor, Karl Barth: Theologian of Freedom, Augsburg
Fortress Press, 1991.
" Mark Kline Taylor, editor, Paul Tillich: Theologian of the Boundaries,
Augsburg Fortress Press, 1991.
" David F. Ford, editor, The Modern Theologians: An Introduction to
Christian Theology in the Twentieth Century, Blackwell Publishers, 2nd Ed.,
1997.
Course Requirements:
A course syllabus is the learning agreement between student and instructor. As such, it should be taken seriously as a contract or covenant that explicitly spells out our mutual obligations and responsibilities. As your instructor it is my responsibility to help facilitate your learning of the content and liberal education skills outlined in the course description above to the best of my ability. In this endeavor with you this semester I will be a co-learner as well as your instructor. Your responsibility will lie not only with completing the academic work required of you but also with learning how to teach yourself. As students at a liberal arts college one of the most important skills you can develop is the ability to take responsibility for your own learning. The relationship between student and teacher is a privileged and unique relationship. Every class is made up of an unrepeatable combination of students who bring distinctive experiences, questions, values, and gifts to the classroom. I do not teach "to" a generic "class." Rather, I teach unique individuals with the intention that all in this class will actively contribute to becoming a community of learners, a class with its own distinctive spirit, style, and struggles. As your teacher, I see myself as a steward of your own intellectual maturity, and I want to teach in such a way that that maturity will be served. To that end I hold the following expectations:
Attendance: Being in class, being engaged with the work of the class, and behaving courteously as adult learners are all expected. One discourtesy to avoid is coming into class late. Lateness reflects a lack of respect for classmates, for the instructor, for the subject matter, and for your own educational process. Lateness counts as half an absence. Likewise, regular attendance at all class meetings is a must. This course is designed on the model of dialogue and active learning, which means that we are all equally responsible for its success or failure. If you miss more than three classes without the prior permission of the instructor, your final grade will be lowered by a full letter grade. If you miss more than six classes without the instructor's permission, your final grade for the class will be no higher than a D. With respect to courtesy, the use of electronic personal communication devices (pagers, digital phones, etc.) is not allowed during our class time. The use of electronic word processing devices (laptops, pda's) are conditionally allowed so long as their use is not disruptive to either the instructor or to other students. If their use has been noticed to be a distraction, you will be asked to discontinue using them. It goes without saying that playing games on these devices in class is never acceptable.
Assessment:
(1) Informed and prepared
class participation (20%)
In addition to attending class prepared to discuss the assigned material,
students will be expected to choose a figure or movement addressed in class
and take some responsibility for leading class discussion on the day in
which that figure or movement is covered. As your instructor I will be available
to assist you in your choice of figure/movement for leading the class discussion.
The choice may be the same as the figure/movement you have selected for
your major paper.
(2) Exam (20%)
There will be one mid-term exam in which you will be challenged to explain,
synthesize, and reflect critically on course materials.
(3) Term paper project (60%)
In addition to the regular reading of the course, each student will focus
on one thinker or movement in consultation with the instructor. You will
read at least one book by your chosen figure or about your chosen movement
(one additional book if you choose Karl Barth or Paul Tillich as your figure);
at least one additional article, essay, or chapter by or about them, as
well as two scholarly reviews of their work and/or impact.
Religious Studies majors should seriously consider reading two books, or one book and several essays, by their chosen author in order to prepare for comprehensive exams. I will be more than happy to consult with you about this.
Your work on the term paper will be comprised of several elements, each of which will be evaluated separately:
(a) Book Exposition:
(3-4 pages) (15%)
For the book you have chosen to read independently, you will write an expository
analysis in which you summarize the major goals, methods, and claims of
the work. This analysis should be textually based and properly documented.
Additional instructions will be given as the due date approaches.
(b) Article/Chapter
Exposition: (2 pages) (10%)
You will read and write a brief exposition on one article or essay (in addition
to the book) by your chosen thinker or about your chosen movement.
(c) Scholarly Review
Synopses: (2 pages each) (10%)
After you have read works by your chosen theologian or movement, will be
required to find and summarize two scholarly reviews of, or commentaries
on, that theologian's or movement's work/thought and significance. The purpose
of this assignment is to expand your understanding of the meaning and importance
of the figure or movement on which you have chosen to focus by allowing
you to see what other scholars have had to say about them.
(d) Final Paper: (7-9
pages) (25%)
Finally, you will write a 7-9 page paper on some aspect of your theologian's
thought or your chosen theological movement, using the four C's discussed
above as a guide. In this paper, you will want to incorporate insights from
the book(s) and articles(s) you have read by the theologian or about the
movement, the critical reviews you have consulted, and your own critical
assessment of the meaning and import of your topic in relation to modern
and contemporary Christian thought as a whole.
The textbook by David Ford, The Modern Theologians, is an excellent source from which to read and choose a possible figure or movement. As your instructor I will do my best to help you choose something that promises to be of genuine interest to you. Once you have chosen your figure or movement, you will eventually narrow your focus to one or two topics or points within that thinker's or movement's theology. The textbook by William Placher, Essentials of Christian Theology, provides a broad survey of the many kinds of theological topics that our thinkers have engaged.
In general, written work in this course will be evaluated in terms of command of material, clarity and organization of ideas, creativity of thought, and complexity of thinking. In addition, writing will be evaluated in terms of fluidity, coherence, persuasiveness of argument, as well as a clear authorial voice. Punctuation, spelling, and grammatical correctness are also important. In all cases, proper documentation of sources and ideas is an absolute necessity.
All formal writing to be graded must be hard-copy printed, type-written, and double-spaced, with one-inch margins and 10 or 12-point type. The Honor Code pledge and student's signature should be on the cover page or first page of the document. Staples in the upper left corner are preferred over binders/plastic covers etc. Emailed documents will be accepted only for outlines and working drafts.
Late and missing papers: Written assignments turned in late may be subject to losing a letter grade or equivalent. Assignments may not be turned in more than one week after its due date, unless prior approval by the instructor has been given. No work of any kind will be accepted after the last day of final examinations. Exceptions to this policy will be granted only to the victims of unforeseeable and uncontrollable circumstances.
Academic honor: All of us at Millsaps are pledged to uphold academic honor, the core of which is refraining from giving or receiving unauthorized aid on any assignment. I particularly caution against plagiarism, that is, using the words or ideas of others without acknowledgement. Plagiarized work means a mandatory referral to the Honor Council and may result in expulsion from the class. Please read carefully the Millsaps Honor Code statement at the end of this syllabus.
Incompletes: An "Incomplete"
grade for the course will be given only to students who, due to unforeseen
and uncontrollable circumstances, find themselves unable to complete course
requirements during the term and can reasonably be expected to complete
them within a few weeks after the term's end. The "Incomplete"
must be requested and appropriately justified before the end of final examinations.
Course Schedule:
Week 1: Theological Topics: Revelation, Authority, and God
M 1/12 Course Overview
W 1/14 Placher: Introduction, Chapter 1
F 1/16 Placher: Chapter 2
Week 2: Theological Topics: Creation, Providence, Sin, Christology, Ecclesiology, and Liturgy
M 1/19 MLK Holiday:
No class
W 1/21 Placher: Chapter 4
Th 1/22 8:00 am Placher: Chapter 5
F 1/23 Placher: Chapter 6
Week 3: Theological Topics: Sanctification, Other Religions, and Eschatology
M 1/26 Placher: Chapters
7
W 1/28 Placher: Chapters 8
F 1/30 Placher: Chapters 9 Theologian/Movement Selection Due
Week 4: Early 20th Century Theology and Barth
M 2/2 Reserve Reading:
TBA
W 2/4 Ford: 1-66
F 2/6 Barth (Green): 11-66
Week 5: Karl Barth's Theology
M 2/9 Barth (Green):
66-97 Article/Chapter Exposition Due
W 2/11 Barth (Green): 114-139, 148-167
F 2/13 Barth (Green): 168-264
Week 6: Tillich contra Barth
M 2/16 Barth (Green):
265-325
W 2/18 Ford: 67-102
F 2/20 Tillich (Taylor): 11-118
Week 7: Tillich's Theological
System
M 2/23 Tillich (Taylor): 119-185 1st Scholarly Review Synopsis Due
W 2/25 Tillich (Taylor): 186-232
F 2/27 Tillich (Taylor): 233-275
Week 8: Tillch and Roman Catholic Theology
M 3/1 Tillch (Taylor):
275-331
W 3/3 Mid-term exam
F 3/5 Ford: 103-133
Week 9: Eschatology, History, and British Theologies
M 3/8 Ford: 133-178
W 3/10 Ford: 179-224
F 3/12 Ford: 225-285
Spring Break: March 13-21
Week 10: Theologies in North America
M 3/22 Ford: 285-310
Book Exposition Due
W 3/24 Ford: 311-356
F 3/26 Ford: 357-404
Week 11: Global, Evangelical, and Orthodox Theologies
M 3/29 Ford: 405-408,
426-454
T 3/30 11:30 am 2004 Summers Lecture
W 3/31 Ford: 409-425, 455-476
F 4/2 Ford: 477-514
Week 12: Transregional
Movements
M 4/5 Ford: 515-574
W 4/7 Ford: 575-602 2nd Scholarly Review Synopsis Due
F 4/9 Good Friday: No Classes
Week 13: Theology and Dialogue: Other Religions, Art, and the Social Sciences
M 4/12 Ford: 603-644
W 4/14 Ford: 669-685
F 4/16 Ford: 700-719
Week 14: Theology and Dialogue: The Natural Sciences and Music
M 4/19 Ford: 645-668
W 4/21 Ford: 686-699
F 4/23 Ford: 720-728 Final Paper Due
Please Note:
Attendance will be required at the 2004 Summers Lecture, 11:30 am on Tuesday March 30th. The speaker will be Dr. M. Thomas Thangaraj, Professor of World Christianity at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University. The theme is: "Inter-religious Conflict and Inter-religious Dialogue: Twin Challenges for Christian Mission Today."
I want to thank the following for their assistance in ideas
for the structural design of this course, as well as selected language and
content in this syllabus: Dr. John J. Thatamanil (Vanderbilt University),
Dr. Thomas Beaudoin (Boston College), Dr. Darby Ray (Millsaps College).
Assignments in this schedule are subject to change at the instructor's discretion
according to the needs of the class.