UCAP RS 322: Christian Theology and Belief Ursuline College

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1 Ursuline College Accelerated Program CRITICAL INFORMATION! DO NOT SKIP THIS LINK BELOW... BEFORE PROCEEDING TO READ THE UCAP MODULE, YOU ARE EXPECTED TO READ AND ADHERE TO ALL UCAP POLICY INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THIS LINK BELOW CLICK HERE... UCAP RS 322: Christian Theology and Belief Ursuline College Course Description: This course will present the basic beliefs, theological concepts, and worldview of the Christian theological tradition. It will survey these beliefs in light of their historical development, beginning with the early Christian period and continuing through the contemporary era. Special attention will be given to the central Christian concerns over: faith & revelation, creation, Trinity, Christology & soteriology, ecclesiology, sin & grace, sacramentality, spirituality & devotional practice, and eschatology. The course will approach study of these beliefs through reading both primary and secondary sources from a variety of Christian theological perspectives (both Catholic and Protestant). Prerequisite Courses: Completion of Stage One and Two of Ursuline Studies; RS majors excepted with the permission of the RS advisor or the RS department chair Instructional Objectives: Knowledge The student will A. Identify the general and distinctive characteristics of Christian theology

2 B. Recall classical and contemporary formulations of the Christian faith C. Recognize how faith comes to expression in creed, code, and worship D. Differentiate eras and emphases within the development of belief throughout Christian history E. Compare and contrast the theological beliefs of different Christian communities F. Relate the modern experience of people today to the classical expressions of Christian faith G. Describe the role and significance of theological method H. Name key individuals within the Christian theological tradition, ancient and contemporary Skills The student will Attitudes A. Examine and be able to separate essential Christian beliefs from popular expressions B. Relate individual beliefs to the whole schema of systematic theology C. Analyze historical influences on the formulations of faith D. Construct sound theological responses to contemporary issues E. Employ the achievements of modern biblical scholarship and critical theological methodology on the reinterpretation of traditional Christian beliefs F. Integrate and evaluate personal faith in light of the classical theological tradition The student will A. Appreciate that Christian faith and tradition are rooted in the reality of God incarnate in Jesus, in Tradition (Scripture and community), in history, and in culture B. Be alert to the historical development of various expressions of Catholic faith C. Show awareness that expressions of faith have social and political implications and applications D. Tolerate religious diversity even within a single faith tradition Values The student will

3 A. Affirm the organic unity of multi-cultural and theologically plural Christianity throughout history B. Form judgments as to personal responsibility regarding Christian faith and practice in a religiously plural world C. Show a mature attitude toward the function of institutionalized religious authority Plan for assessment of objectives (outcomes) Texts: 1) The student will be required to identify and describe orally and/or in writing the distinctive elements of Christian theology by name. This element will require, furthermore, comment on key contributors to theological development and accurate spelling of all names and terms. 2) The student will be required to write, recite, and/or analyze by constituent component classical and contemporary formulations (including creeds) of Christian faith. 3) The student will be required to write about and or describe orally: a) different eras of Christian theological development; b) different emphases within different eras of Christian theological development; c) different emphases within belief of different Christian communities. 4) The student will be required to match and/or recall key personages and their contributions to Christian theology. 5) The student will be required to write about and/or describe orally how modern experience relates to the classical Christian tradition. 6) The student will be required to write about and/or to describe orally the role, significance, and application of theological methodology. McGrath, Alister. Christian Theology: An Introduction 4 th Edition. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, The Christian Theology Reader 3 rd Edition. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, Requirements I. Reading You are required to read the material for each class session. This is the major element on which your time will be spent. It is only through careful reading and study that you will come to an authentic appreciation and understanding of the theological themes we will be discussing over the semester. Only you can do this for yourself, and your level of preparation will either make or break your enjoyment and success in the class. You will be expected to read several chapters per class session, so you should allocate adequate time to read the material in advance of the class sessions. You should be prepared to discuss the material, and

4 you should bring questions to class with you to enhance our group conversations. Assigned readings come from McGrath s Christian Theology. In class, we will frequently read from the accompanying reader volume, so please bring both texts to each class session. Please see weekly announcements for suggested reader selections that accompany the assigned readings for online class sessions. II. Attendance & Participation UCAP requires students to attend all class sessions. Please see UCAP attendance Policy. Regular participation in class discussions, conversational knowledge of daily reading assignments, and alert attention to lectures are all a necessary part of this course. As much as 40 points will be awarded at the discretion of the professor for active and attentive in class participation. If you are unable or choose not to participate actively in discussions and activities, your final course grade may be negatively impacted, particularly if you are on a borderline between two grades. Conversely, if you participate and attend class faithfully, your final course grade may be bolstered to reflect your contributions to the success of this class. III. Term Paper A research paper is required for this class. The following is a list of topics from which students may choose: The paper requirements will be: 1) A comparative research project that places two significant Christian theologians, movements, or communities in dialogue with one another on a particular Christian doctrine or belief; 2) An analytical paper that looks at the role of theological method comparatively in at least two significant Christian theologians; 3) A research paper positing a constructive theological response to a contemporary issue that is also sensitive to classical thinking; 4) A project demonstrating the inter-relationship and systematization of theological doctrines; 5) A thesis project on a classical or contemporary Christian theologian, that uses primary source material beyond that which is read in class; 6) An analysis of the faith expressed in the Nicene Creed, compared with contemporary Protestant confessions; 7) An analysis of applied Christian faith in the world today.

5 1) Submission of a paper topic, thesis statement if applicable, and paper outline with an attached bibliography of a minimum of three academic sources. This typed submission is due on line in on May 20, 2010 by 10 pm. It is worth 15 pts. 2) Final submission of 7-9 pg. (excluding title and bibliography pages) paper edited and cited fully according to MLA guidelines.12 pt. font and normal page margins. Up to 105 points will be awarded for demonstrating achievement in the following criteria: Adequate length Spelling Diction Punctuation/writing mechanics Thesis development Proper citation of sources Adequate & proper use of sources evidenced in the paper Successful completion of one of the paper topics advanced Clarity of writing and expression The paper will be submitted online by 10 pm on June 10, IV. Final Exam This examination will be a combination of essay, identification, and fill-in questions. This timed exam is worth 140 pts. It will be taken online June 10 between 7-9 pm. V. Discussion forums Online discussion forums are required for the second, fourth, and fifth weeks of class. Each discussion forum requires each student to post one comment of 50 words in length and one response of 50 words in length. The discussion forums are as follows: Ch. 7- May 20 by 10 pm.10 pts Ch 9- May 20 by 10 pm..10 pts Ch 10- May 20 by 10 pm 10 pts Ch. 15- June 3 by 10 pm.10 pts Ch. 16- June 3 by 10 pm.10 pts Ch 18- June 10 by 10 pm 10 pts VI. Quizzes Three quizzes will be held during the course of the semester, to be taken on the second, third, and fourth weeks of the term. The quizzes will cover material studied prior to the day that the quiz is scheduled. Quiz 2 will be taken online by

6 May 20, 2010 at 10pm. Quiz 3 will be taken in class on May 27, Quiz 4 will be taken online by June 3, 210 at 10pm. Each quiz is worth 40 pts. Point Distribution Quizzes (3X40) 120 pts. Discussion Postings (6x10) 60 pts. Participation..40 pts.. Final. 140 pts. Paper (topic & biblio. description 15; final 105) pts. Point Distribution = A = B = B = C = C = D = D < 331 = F Miscellaneous Please see syllabus addendum as distributed in class. Week One In Class Meeting on May p Assignments and Activities

7 Before Class: Students will have read chapters 1-4 in Alister McGrath s Christian Theology: An Introduction. This material covers the major historical periods in Christian history, including the patristic, medieval, Reformation, and modern periods. Students will have consulted ANGEL and their Ursuline accounts for announcements and to print out handouts. In Class Teacher will provide introductory discussion on the sources and methods of Christian theology. Teacher will provide guided lecture, discussion, and activities covering the assigned readings. Review for week two quiz at the conclusion of class. Week Two Online Meeting May 20 By 10:00 pm on May 20: Students will have read chapters 7, 9, 10 in Alister McGrath s Christian Theology: An Introduction. This material covers faith and revelation, the doctrine of God, and Trinity. Students will have viewed PowerPoint presentations on 7, 9, 10. Students will have written a 50 word comment and a 50 word response to the readings on the discussion boards for chapters 7, 9, and 10. Students will have submitted paper topics and brief bibliographies as per description in the syllabus to the drop box. Students will have completed the online quiz over the material from week 1. Students will consult the review for week three quiz. Week Three- In Class on May p Before Class: Students will have read chapters 11, 13, 14 in Alister McGrath s Christian Theology: An Introduction. This material covers Christology, soteriology, sin and grace.

8 Students will have consulted ANGEL and their Ursuline accounts for announcements and to print out handouts. Students will have prepared for a quiz over the material from week 2. In Class Students will take a quiz over the material from week two. Teacher will provide guided lecture, discussion, and activities covering the assigned readings. Review for week four quiz at the conclusion of class. Week Four- Online Class June 3 By 10:00 pm on June 3: Students will have read chapters 15 and 16 in Alister McGrath s Christian Theology: An Introduction. This material covers ecclesiology and sacramentality. Students will have viewed PowerPoint presentations on chapters 15 and 16. Students will have written a 50 word comment and a 50 word response to the readings on the discussion boards for chapters 15 and 16. Students will have completed the online quiz over the material from week 3. Students will obtain and print out the review for final exam. Week Five- Online Class June 10 By 10:00 pm on June 10 Students will have read chapter 18 in Alister McGrath s Christian Theology: An Introduction. This material covers the doctrine of eschatology. Students will have viewed the PowerPoint presentation on chapter 18. Students will have written a 50 word comment and a 50 word response to the readings on the discussion board for chapter 18.

9 Students will have submitted their final paper to the drop box by 10pm. Students will have completed their timed final exam between 7-9pm on June 10, NOTE: Pay attention to times. Online submissions and discussion boards are established with limited times for accessibility. If your work is not submitted within the time parameters established on this syllabus, you will not be able to submit your work. If you have difficulty with any online access, please me immediately at or call