Spring 2017/Houston

CH504

Johnson

CH504: THE MODERN CHURCH IN A GLOBAL HISTORICAL CONTEXT (4 Units: 160 hours). Richard O. Johnson.

DESCRIPTION: This course introduces the more important themes and events in the life of the church around the world from the seventeenth through the twentieth centuries. Beginning with the post-Reformation period, students will examine the growth and contributions of the church in Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, and Australia/Oceana. Attention will be given to some of the more important historical, theological, and cultural developments that have shaped (or been shaped by) specific regional and global historical contexts.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who complete the course will demonstrate ability to (1) identify and explain principal theological developments and historical events and personalities that have shaped the modern church; (2) think critically about historical texts and arguments, placing them in context; (3) interpret their own ecclesiastical tradition and other traditions with critical awareness and reflection; (4) critically assess their religious and cultural assumptions by examining the complexity and diversity of modern Christian history; (5) gain an appreciation for the multiplicity of ways in which the Christian faith is experienced and expressed in various parts of the world.

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets for four weekends 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: 1,035 total number of pages (approximate)

González, Justo L. The Story of Christianity Volume 2: The Reformation to the Present Day. 2nd ed. HarperOne, 2010. ISBN: 978-0061855894, Pub. Price $27.99 [285 pp. assigned].

Jenkins, Philip. The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity. 3rd ed. Oxford University Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0199767465, Pub. Price $16.95 [276 pp. assigned].

Koschorke, Klaus, Frieder Ludwig, and Mariano Delgado, eds. A History of Christianity in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, 1450-1990: A Documentary Sourcebook. Eerdmans, 2007. ISBN: 978-0802828897, Pub. Price $41.00 [140 pp. assigned].

Primary source documents (including excerpts from the Canons of Dort, Spener, John Wesley, David Livingstone), which will be posted on Moodle [approximately 40 pp.].

In addition, choose one of the following texts:

González, Ondina, and Justo González. Christianity in Latin America: A History. Cambridge, 2007. ISBN: 978-0521681926, Pub. Price $30.99 [330 pp. assigned].

Isichei, Elizabeth. A History of Christianity in Africa: From Antiquity to Present. Eerdmans, 1995. ISBN: 978-0802808431, Pub. Price $38.00 [352 pp. assigned].

Phan, Peter C., ed. Christianities in Asia. Wiley-Blackwell, 2010. ISBN: 978-1405160902, Pub. Price $41.95 [271 pp. assigned].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Core, Deborah. The Seminary Student Writes. Chalice Press, 2000. ISBN: 978-0827234475, Pub. Price $18.99 [130 pp.].

Hastings, Adrian, ed. A World History of Christianity. Eerdmans, 2000. ISBN: 978-0802848758, Pub. Price $40.00.

Rampolla, Mary Lynn. A Pocket Guide to Writing in History. 8th ed. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2015. ISBN: 978-1457690884, Pub. Price $29.75 [160 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Classroom participation (10% of grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4 and 5]. [30 hours].

2. Directed learning activities, consisting of posts to forums reflecting on devotional presentations or responding to questions posed by other students (10% of grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4 and 5]. [10 hours].

3. 1,035 pages of required reading. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5]. [69 hours].

4. Two five-page analytical papers. (30% of grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1 and 2]. [26 hours].

5. Participation with other students in a joint class presentation (20% of grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #4 and 5]. [15 hours].

6. Midterm and final exams (30% of grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3 and 4]. [10 hours, including preparation].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the TH3 or TH4 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program and the 80 MAT Programs (Fall 2015). Option to meet the TH3 requirement in the 80 MATM Program (Fall 2015). Core requirement in the 80 MAICS Program (Fall 2015). Meets CHC in the 144 MDiv Program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.