Summer 2016/Fuller Online

CH506

Westbrook

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

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.

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 1,286 pages required.

Butler, Jon, Grant Wacker, and Randall Balmer. Religion in American Life: A Short History. 2nd ed. Oxford University Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0199832699, Pub. Price $24.95 [441 pp. assigned]

MacHaffie, Barbara J. Her Story: Women in Christian Tradition. 2nd ed. Fortress, 2006. ISBN: 978-0800638269, Pub. Price $44.00 [173 pp. assigned].

Noll, Mark A. The New Shape of World Christianity: How American Experience Reflects Global Faith. InterVarsity Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-0830839933, Pub. Price $20.00 [187 pp. assigned].

Sernett, Milton C., ed. African American Religious History: A Documentary Witness. 2nd ed. Duke University Press, 1999. ISBN: 978-0822324492, Pub. Price $29.95 [285 pp. assigned.].

E-Reserves course reader containing five documents of American church history [200 pp. assigned].

RECOMMENDED VIDEO RESOURCE: PBS’s “God in America” (2010). All six episodes available free online: http://www.pbs.org/godinamerica/view/ [6 hours]

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Online Lectures, with accompanying Lecture Notes and Powerpoint Presentations [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3] [20 hours].

  2. Engage in Classroom Forums—Initial weekly posts (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3] [10 hours].

  3. Engage in Classroom Forums—Response to classmate posts (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3] [10 hours].

  4. Read assignments from required texts (about 1,286 pp.) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4] [80 hours].

  5. Submit (3) 500-word reflections on class readings/themes (10%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4] [10 hours].

  6. Submit 2,500-word research essay based on a topic coordinated with the instructor (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4] [10 hours].

  7. Mid-Term Examination (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3] [10 hours].

  8. FINAL Examination (20%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3] [10 hours].

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.

For your convenience, order these texts online through the Archives Bookshop.