Fall 2013/Fuller Online
DP516
Goddard
DP516: ANGLICAN HISTORY AND POLITY. Andrew J. Goddard.
DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to enable Anglicans and non-Anglicans alike to reflect upon the history of Anglicanism and the evolving polity of Anglican churches and the Anglican Communion. Its subject matter will include an overview of Anglican history from the Reformation with a particular interest in the various patterns of church government found within Anglicanism. It will cover areas such as the break with Rome and the birth of autonomous Anglican churches outside England, the roles of bishops and synods in Anglican decision-making, the relationship of Anglican churches with secular political structures, and the evolving structures within the Anglican Communion to nurture relationships between Anglican churches. The focus will be on The Episcopal Church (USA) and the Church of England but these will be located within the wider growth of the Anglican Communion. Attention will also be given to the evolution of the Instruments of Communion and the history of at least one non-Western Anglican province.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The course will enable students to understand contemporary Anglicanism, both in its diversity and in what Anglicans share in common, by exploring the historical development of Anglican churches. It will also encourage reflection upon different patterns of decision-making within Anglicanism both in particular national churches and as a global communion of churches.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of the course, students will have (1) considered Anglicanism’s origins in the Church of England’s break with Rome, its historic development both within the British Isles and globally, and the Church of England’s evolving polity as an established national church, (2) demonstrated understanding and evaluation of the history and governance structures of the Episcopal Church (USA) including similarities and differences from other Anglican churches, (3) studied the historic growth of the Anglican Communion, its Instruments of Communion and current debates about its future structures, (4) gained knowledge of at least one non-Western Anglican church.
COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar. 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: As per course reader plus (**denotes title available as ebook in Fuller libraries):
Chapman, Mark. Anglicanism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2006. ISBN: 978-0192806932, Pub. Price $11.95 [168 pp.].**
Holmes, David. A Brief History of the Episcopal Church. Trinity Press International, 1993. ISBN: 978-1563380600, Pub. Price $44.95 [178 pp.].
Kaye, Bruce. An Introduction to World Anglicanism. Cambridge University Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0521618663, Pub. Price $30.00 [105 pp. assigned].**
Ward, Kevin. A History of Global Anglicanism. Cambridge University Press, 2006. ISBN: 978-0521008662, Pub. Price $49.00 [167 pp. assigned].**
RECOMMENDED READING:
Hein, David & Gardiner H. Shattuk, The Episcopalians. Church Publishing, 2005. ISBN: 978-0898694970, Pub. Price $30.00.
Podmore, Colin. Aspects of Anglican Identity. Church House Publishing, 2005. ISBN: 978-0715140741, Pub. Price $14.99 [208 pp.].
Prichard, Robert W. A History of the Episcopal Church. New York: Morehouse Publishing. 1999. ISBN: 978-0819218285. $28.00 (416 pages).
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
All required readings [5-6 hours per week]
Interact with, and respond to, online class discussions and tasks through regular postings each week of the course (30%) [3 hours per week]
One 1,500 word response paper on an assigned reading (20%) [6 hours].
Research paper on a particular aspect of Anglican history and/or polity (4,000 words) (50%) [16 hours]
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Required for the Anglican Studies Emphasis.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.