Fall 2020/Fuller Online

CH506

Waldrop

CH506: AMERICAN CHRISTIANITY IN A GLOBAL HISTORICAL CONTEXT (4 Units: 160 hours). Jeffrey Waldrop.

DESCRIPTION: CH506 analyzes the history and distinctive global roles of American Christianity to illumine and facilitate the interpretation of the church in the present generation. Christians from many countries and people groups have come to the United States, making it one of the most ethnically and religiously diverse nations on earth. The class offers an introductory overview of the history of Christianity in America, which will explore some of the major persons, ideas, and movements that have shaped Christian faith and practice, both in North America and throughout the world. The course will also involve students in opportunities for more intensive pursuit and presentation of their particular interests in the story of North American Christianity and its global implications.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who complete CH506 will demonstrate: (1) a basic historical and theological knowledge of the doctrines of the Christian church as these developed distinctively in the North American context from the sixteenth century to the present day and shaped its local cultures, experience of immigration, and global mission outreach; (2) a basic competence in interpreting this history and theology and an ability to evaluate these theological issues and their historical development; and (3) a critical and sympathetic appreciation for the breadth, unity, and diversity of the Christian church.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: CH504 introduces students to a basic historical knowledge of the church in its diverse global expressions of theology and practice, particularly as that diversity has been manifested over the course of the last three centuries, with an eye to developing skills in interpretation and critical appreciation; it thereby seeks to implement the SOT PLO, “Students will have demonstrated capacities for historically informed theological and ethical reflection.”

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: Approximately 1,200 pages required.

• Gaustad, Edwin S, and Leigh Eric Schmidt. The Religious History of America. Rev. ed. Harper San Francisco, 2004. ISBN: 978-0060630560, Pub. Price $19.99 [425 pp. assigned]

• Available for purchase electronically through Amazon Kindle
• Available for purchase electronically through Google Play
• MacHaffie, Barbara J. Her Story: Women in Christian Tradition. 2nd ed. Augsburg Fortress, 2006. ISBN: 978-0800638269, Pub. Price $44.00 [125 pp. assigned].

• Available for purchase electronically through Amazon Kindle
• 1986 electronic edition freely available through archive.org

• Martinez, Juan Francisco. The Story of Latino Protestants in the United States. Eerdmans, 2018. ISBN: 978-0802873187, Pub. Price, $28.00 [220 pp. assigned].

• Freely available as an eBook through the Hubbard Library

• Sernett, Milton C., ed. African American Religious History: A Documentary Witness. 2nd ed. Duke University Press, 2000. ISBN: 978-0822324492, Pub. Price $34.95 [430 pp. assigned.].

• Freely available as an eBook through the Hubbard Library

• Four primary documents posted in the weekly modules.

RECOMMENDED READING: Please see the syllabus.

AVAILABLE VIDEO RESOURCES: Students will be presented with a number of optional/supplemental historical documentaries throughout the quarter. Documentaries will be available from different online sources such as Amazon Video or PBS. These will not be required, but for those interested in viewing them as a supplement to the course material, some may require rental fees of $1.99-$2.99 per documentary.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Watch video Lectures, documentaries, and read Lecture notes and Power Points [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3] [20 hours].
2. Read assignments from class texts (about 1,200 pp.) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4] [80 hours].
3. Engage in online Forum Discussions—(1) Initial posts and (2) Response to classmate posts (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3] [20 hours].
4. Submit two (2) 1000-word essays (20%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4] [10 hours].
5. Mid-term exam (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3] [10 hours].
6. Final Exam (20%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3] [10 hours].
7. Submit a 2,000-word analytical essay based upon one of the primary documents posted in the weekly readings (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4] [10 hours]. This essay serves as the signature assignment for the course. This assignment will be graded according to the Program Learning Outcome Rubric for Church History Signature Assignments, based on three major criteria: Overall Impression, Evidence & Argumentation, and Style & Grammar.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the TH3 or TH4 requirement in the 120 MDiv and 80 MAT Programs (Fall 2015). Option to meet the TH3 requirement in the 80 MATM Program (Fall 2015). Meets CHC in the 144 MDiv Program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.