Spring 2015/Houston
HT504
Sumner
HT504: MODERN THEOLOGY IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT (4 Units: 160 hours). Darren Sumner.
DESCRIPTION: HT504 is a survey of systematic and philosophical theology that focuses especially on the articulation of Christian doctrine in the modern world. The course reflects the historic Christian church’s development of eschatology in its dialogue with its opponents and with its cultural context, including the current global diversity and plurality. It also considers recent constructive theologies, including theologies of liberation, public theology, and contextual theology. Related topics and themes to be addressed may include the development and articulation of the Christian doctrine of the four last things (death, judgment, heaven, and hell), the intermediate state, so-called “contextual” theologies, and the place of theology in contemporary public life; the relation of Christian theology to other religious traditions may also be included in this consideration.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who complete HT504 will demonstrate: (1) a basic critical theological knowledge of the conceptual and normative dimensions of Christian eschatology, and of recent constructive theologies (e.g. theologies of liberation, public theology, and contextual theology); (2) a basic competence in interpreting historic and contemporary perorations of these doctrines and an ability to evaluate these theological issues and their historical and contemporary development; and (3) a critical and sympathetic appreciation for the breadth, unity, and diversity of the Christian church.
COURSE FORMAT: This course meets over four weekends for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction including a combination of lecture and discussion, plus 10 hours of directed learning activities including group discussion leadership, an online workshop, and critical engagement papers, for a total of 40 instructional hours.
REQUIRED READING: Approximately 1,200 pages in total.
Barth, Karl. Protestant Theology in the Nineteenth Century. Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2002. ISBN: 978- 0802860781, Pub. Price $50.00 [310 pp. assigned].
Bloesch, Donald G. The Last Things. InterVarsity Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0830827572, Pub. Price $22.00 [240 pp. assigned].
Cone, James H. A Black Theology of Liberation. Orbis Books, 2010. ISBN: 978-1570758959, Pub. Price $20.00 [180 pp. assigned].
Plantinga, Richard J., Thomas R. Thompson, Matthew D. Lundberg. An Introduction to Christian Theology. Cambridge University Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-0521690379, Pub. Price $32.99 [120 pp. assigned].
Yong, Amos. The Future of Evangelical Theology: Soundings from the Asian American Diaspora. IVP Academic, 2014. ISBN: 978-0830840601, Pub. Price $25.00 [250 pp. assigned].
Other selected readings to be made available via e-Reserves, including selections from L. Feuerbach, F. Schleiermacher, J. Moltmann, G. Gutiérrez, E. Schüssler Fiorenza, and others [approximately 100 pp. assigned].
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Class attendance and participation. (10%). [This requirement is related to learning outcomes #1 and 3]. [30 hours].
Approximately 1,200 pages of required reading [80 hours] and two 1,000-word critical response essays integrating course reading with the life of the church today [10 hours]. (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, and 3].
Structured interaction in the class’s online discussion forum. (5%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, and 3]. [6 hours of Directed Learning Activity].
A group presentation on a significant figure in modern theology, including student-led discussion of a reading assignment from that figure. (10%). [This requirement is related to learning outcomes #1 and 3]. [4 hours of Directed Learning Activity].
A 10- to 12-page research paper on a topic chosen in consultation with the instructor. (45%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2]. [30 hours].
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the TH3 or TH4 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Meets STC in the 144 MDiv Program.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.