CH506
Robeck
CH506: AMERICAN CHURCH HISTORY. Cecil M. Robeck, Jr.
DESCRIPTION:
- This course will provide an introduction to the more important
themes, and an overview of the more significant movements in the history of the
American church. Beginning with the Puritans in New England, the student will
survey the vibrant and often conflicting features from established churches to
frontier revivalism, from European transplanted historic churches to
American-born new religious movements. Attention will be given to religion in
the Southwest and to the contributions of African American Hispanic Americans
and women to American religious history, especially in the readings.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- This course should enable students better to understand and
interpret contemporary events and discussions in light of their historical and
social contexts. Students should expect to be ecumenically sensitized.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The class will meet two hours, twice a week in a lecture-discussion
format.
REQUIRED READING:
- Fulop, Timothy E. and Albert J. Raboteau, eds. African-American
Religion: Interpretive Essays in History and Culture. New York: Routledge,
1997.
- Noll, Mark. History of Christianity in the United States and Canada.
Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992.
- Origins: CNS Documentary Service 27:13 (September 11, 1997). ISSN
0093-609x. [Available from Catholic New Service 3211 4th St. N.E., Washington,
D.C. 20017-1100.]
- Ortiz, Manual. The Hispanic Challenge: Opportunities Confronting the
Church. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Ahlstrom, Sydney E. A Religious History of the American
People. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1972.
- Gaustad, Edwin S. A Documentary History of Religion in America.
Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1982 (2 volumes).
- Hudson, Winthrop S. Religion in America. New York: Charles
Scribner's Son, 1965, 1981, 1987 (4th edition).
- Lincoln, C. Eric and Lawrence H. Mamiya. The Black Church in the African
American Experience. Durham: Duke University Press, 1990.
- Marsden, George M. Fundamentalism and American Culture: The Shaping of
Twentieth Century Evangelicalism. New York: Oxford University Press,
1980.
- Sweet, Leonard I., ed. The Evangelical Tradition in America. Macon,
GA: Mercer University Press, 1984.
- Tucker, Ruth A. and Walter Liefeld. Daughters of the Church: Women and
Ministry from New Testament Times to the Present. Grand Rapids: Academie
Books/Zondervan Publishing House, 1987.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- There will be one midterm and a final examination covering the text
and lectures accounting for 70% of the final grade. A five page written
response to a contemporary document and written notes on a second document will
be assigned. They will count for 30% of the grade.
PREREQUISITES:
- None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Meets M. Div. core requirement in Church History "C" (CHC).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.