Summer 2015/Fuller Online

PH529

Sherman

PH529: PHILOSOPHY OF SPIRITUALITY (4 Units: 160 hours). Steven B. Sherman.

DESCRIPTION: This course explores vital perennial questions relevant to Christian spirituality, including theories of the nature of persons (physicalism v. dualism), divine action, and religious experience. Recent developments in science and Western worldview changes are considered with respect to challenges and opportunities that these pose for the spiritual life of Christians and the Church.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated: (1) critical assessment of a global issue impacting the nature and mission of the church; (2) knowledge of the Western philosophical tradition in relation to theories of human nature, divine action, and spiritual life; (3) engagement in intellectual and contextualization issues related to spirituality in post-Christendom culture; (4) an ability to sympathetically and critically assess diverse scholarly positions on issues examined in the course; and (5) progress in academic writing.

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, which is outlined below in the assignment and assessment section. 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 1,095 pages of required reading.

Demarest, Bruce, ed. Four Views on Christian Spirituality. Zondervan, 2012. ISBN: 978-0310329282, Pub. Price $18.99 [240 pp. assigned].

Green, Joel B. Body, Soul, and Human Life: The Nature of Humanity in the Bible. Studies in Theological Interpretation. Baker Academic, 2009. ISBN: 978-0801035951, Pub. Price $24.00 [240 pp. assigned].

Jeeves, Malcolm. Minds, Brains, Souls and Gods: A Conversation on Faith, Psychology and Neuroscience. Intervarsity Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-0830839988, Pub. Price $20.00 [219 pp. assigned].

Murphy, Nancey. Bodies and Souls, or Spirited Bodies? Cambridge University Press, 2006. ISBN: 978-0521676762, Pub. Price $29.99 [164 pp. assigned].

Scorgie, Glen C., ed. Dictionary of Christian Spirituality. Zondervan, 2011. ISBN: 978-0310290667, Pub. Price $39.99 [100 pp. assigned].

Yong, Amos. The Spirit of Creation: Modern Science and Divine Action in the Pentecostal-Charismatic Imagination. Eerdmans, 2011. ISBN: 978-0802866127, $32.00 [132 pp. assigned].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 1,095 pages of required reading. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2] [73 hours].
2. 500-word weekly forum posts (25%). Students demonstrate effective processing and evaluating of reading materials, using critical reflection skills for analyzing, synthesizing, and engaging with the claims, contributions, and issues raised in the readings, while also articulating the influence/impact on their thought and practice. Quality of content, analysis, synthesis, explanation, assessment, precision, and articulation factor significantly into overall evaluation and grading of weekly forum posts. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 3, & 4] [20 hours].
3. 250-word weekly forum response posts (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 3, & 4] [20 hours].
4. 1,500-word Interview & Report or 11-hours of Blog Participation on science and theology / spirituality topic (15%). Students engage with others in discussing Christian spirituality face-to-face via an interview followed by a post-interview report or engage with others in discussing Christian spirituality online. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3] [11 hours].
5. 3,000-word Final Paper on the nature of persons, divine action, or spiritual experience (35%). Students develop an informed Christian philosophy of spirituality, integrating course learning elements into the project. They demonstrate grasp of the topic by examining and critically assessing the theories, theologies, philosophies, history, spiritualities, and science presented in the class, considering and critically appraising diverse scholarly positions on the issue, and deliberating on potential or actual consequences of adopting a particular philosophical position on the matter, particularly in regards to the nature and mission of the church. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 3, 4, & 5] [36 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets M.Div. and MAT core requirement in philosophical theology (PHIL).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.