Spring 2013/Fuller Online
CH502
Badger
CH502: MEDIEVAL AND REFORMATION HISTORY. Carlton Badger.
DESCRIPTION: An introduction to the Church in the Medieval and Reformation periods (600–1600 A.D.), beginning from its Augustinian foundations and the barbarian invasions of the Roman Empire, through its millennium-long attempt to build a Christian society and the resulting tensions in thought, governance and practice, and the many reform efforts which culminated in the transformation of European “Christendom” in the Reformation of the sixteenth century begun by Luther.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: There are four objectives to this course. First, that students become familiar with the central developments in the church of the Middle Ages and Reformation, particularly those that led to the Reformation and have formed and expressed Protestant identity. Second, that students gain an understanding of the Medieval Christendom and the Reformation from diverse points of view, including the perspectives of the original participants and those of historians today. Third, that students practice the close reading of selected primary sources in order to analyze and faithfully articulate a historical text. Fourth, that students reflect on the perennial nature of the controversies that shaped Christian identity in this period as these doctrines and practices have engendered contemporary Christian diversity and ecumenical conversation.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: This period formed the particular shape of Western Christianity in its various manifestations. A critical appropriation of this heritage is crucial to situate ourselves in the wider catholic and apostolic church, and to understand our faith in the fuller, more judicious—even chastened—perspective given in the historical experience of the church. The student will thereby come to appreciate the historic conflicts and options behind Christian practice and doctrine, and by such critical engagement better attend to the needed articulation of faith in one’s own ministry and witness.
COURSE FORMAT: This is an online course that will be conducted over a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar.Each week, students and the instructor will interact with the material and each other through journaling, threaded discussions, research, and other assignments. Lectures, notes, and readings for each lesson will be available online to supplement course textbooks.
REQUIRED READING:
Janz, Denis, ed. A Reformation Reader (with CDROM). Fortress, 2002 (not the 2008 edition). ISBN: 978-0800634735, Pub.price 24.00 [275 pp. assigned].
Julian of Norwich. Showings (Classics of Western Spirituality). Paulist Press, 1977. ISBN: 978-080912091-8, Pub.price $24.95 [65 pp. assigned].
Ozment, Steven. The Age of Reform (1250–1550). Yale University Press, 1981. ISBN: 978-0300027600, Pub.price $25.00 [370pp. assigned].
Primary and secondary readings on the course site and from online resources [approx. 300 pp.]
ASSIGNMENTS: Prior to the first class: read the selection “The Achievements of the Early Church;” found on the course site (important especially for those who have not had CH 500).
Completion of assigned readings in preparation for class, and readiness to discuss the texts.
Midterm (25%) and Final Exam (25%)
Two 3-4 page analytic papers, analyzing source documents (to be assigned: 10% each)
Discussion section participation evaluation (30%)
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Church History “B” (CHB).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.