Summer 2015/Sacramento
CH506
Johnson
CH506: AMERICAN CHRISTIANITY IN A GLOBAL HISTORICAL CONTEXT (4 Units: 160 hours). Richard O. Johnson
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 meets on four Saturdays for seven-and-a-half hour sessions for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction for lecture and discussion, plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours.
REQUIRED READING: 1160 total number of pages required
Gaustad, Edwin W. and Mark A. Noll, ed. A Documentary History of Religion in America [2 volumes, “to 1877” and “since 1877”]. Eerdmans, 2003. [3rd edition] ISBN: 978-0802822291 & 978-0802822307, Pub. Price $65 each [285 pages assigned].
MacHaffie, Barbara J. Her Story: Women in Christian Tradition. Augsburg Fortress, 2006. ISBN: 978-0800638269, Pub. Price $44 [225 pages assigned].
Noll, Mark. A History of Christianity in the United States and Canada. Eerdmans, 1992. ISBN: 978-0802806512, Pub. Price $50 [500 pages assigned].
Pinn, Anne H. and Anthony B. Pinn. Fortress Introduction to Black Church History. Augsburg Fortress, 2002. ISBN: 978-0800634421, Pub. Price $24 [150 pages assigned]
RECOMMENDED READING:
Holifield, Brooks. Theology in America: Christian Thought from the Age of the Puritans to the Civil War. Yale University Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0300107654, Pub. Price $27.
Marsden, George M. Fundamentalism and American Culture. 2nd ed. Oxford University Press, 2006. ISBN: 978-0195300475, Pub. Price $19.99.
Rampolla, Mary Lynn. A Pocket Guide to Writing in History, 7th ed. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2012. ISBN: 978-0312610418, Pub. Price $24.99
Sernett, Milton C., ed. African-American Religious History: A Documentary Witness. 2nd edition. Duke University Press, 2000. ISBN: 978-0822324492, Pub. Price $29.95.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Instructional hours, including one or two online posted responses during the weeks when there is no class. (10% of grade) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, #2 and #3.] [40 hours, including 10 hours of DLAs]
1,160 pages of required reading. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1 & #3.] [77 hours]
Completion of four short reflection papers. (40% of grade) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1 & #3]. [8 hours].
One ten-page research paper [2,500 words]. (30% of grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2]. [30 hours]
Final exam covering readings and lecture. (20% of grade) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2]. [5 hours]
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the TH3 or TH4 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Meets CHC in the 144 MDiv Program.
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.