Summer 2011/Pasadena
Two-week Intensive: June 20-July 1
CH501
Scalise

CH501: PATRISTIC THEOLOGY. Charles J. Scalise.


DESCRIPTION: An introduction to the history of Christian thought from the close of the New Testament era through the christological controversies of the East. Particular attention will be given to the history of the development of Christian doctrine. The course will offer opportunities for students to study any of the various ways in which early Christians thought about their Christianity.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: This course seeks to help students connect historical research and theological formulation in the service of a thoughtful lifelong articulation of the faith in their ministries.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) overview the thought of some significant persons in both the East and the West who shaped the Christian tradition of the early church; (2) survey major themes in the development of Christian doctrine from the second through the sixth centuries; (3) become acquainted with a variety of historical movements that impacted the social and intellectual contexts in which Christian theology has been articulated; (4) appropriate some of the spiritual insights and resources from the history of the church for their own Christian growth and ministry; (5) explore in detail the life and thought of one historical figure from the early church period and present some aspect(s) of their study to the class; (6) develop the capacity to connect historical research and theological formulation through an intensive acquaintance with the thought of one person, the development of one doctrine, and the significance of one movement within early Christianity.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet Monday-Friday, June 20-July 1, for four-hour sessions of lectures, class discussions, historical document workshops, small group consultations, and student presentations.

REQUIRED READING:

Augustine of Hippo. The Augustine Catechism: The Enchiridion on Faith, Hope, and Love. Trans Bruce Harbert. Ed. John E. Rotelle. Hyde Park, NY: New City Press, 2008. ISBN-13: 978-1565482982. $13.95.

González, Justo. A History of Christian Thought: Vol. 1: From the Beginnings to the Council of Chalcedon. Rev. ed. Nashville: Abingdon, 1987. ISBN-13: 978-0687171828. $33.

Placher, William. Readings in the History of Christian Theology. Vol. 1. Philadelphia: Westminster John Knox, 1988 (pp. 9-121). ISBN-13: 978-0664240578. $24.95.

Historical figure reading from primary and secondary sources for student presentations.

Readings on selected doctrine and historical movement for research paper and final exam.

RECOMMENDED READING AND RESOURCES:
Optional extra credit reading:
Chadwick, H. Early Christian Thought & the Classical Tradition. New York: Oxford University Press, 1984. ISBN-13: 978-0198266730. $50 (list price).

Wilken, R. The Spirit of Early Christian Thought: Seeking the Face of God. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2005. ISBN-13: 978-0300105988. $19.
For extra credit question on exam:
Clark, G. Women in Late Antiquity: Pagan & Christian Lifestyles. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994. ISBN-13: 978-0198721666. $60 (list price).
Recommended resources: See course syllabus posted on Moodle.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: (1) Class presentation on historical figure (25%). (2) Take-home final examination (due July 1; half on prepared research; half on lectures and common reading; 25%). (3) Research paper (due July 15; 25%). (4) Attendance and class participation (includes devotional leadership; 10%). (5) Research bibliographies on doctrine and movement (due June 22; evaluated credit/no credit; 10%). (6) Bibliography for class presentation (due June 21; evaluated credit/no credit; 5%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in "Church History A" (CHA).

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (April 2011)