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Religious Studies 224 F8 INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN THOUGHT Spring 2008 Semester Syllabus
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Instructor: Loretta Dornisch, Ph.D. Professor,
Religious Studies Department (608) 663-2288 Office Hours: TR 3:30-4; 6-6:30 W 5:30-6; 9-9:30 Sat 11:30-12 Others by appointment |
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An investigation of contemporary Christian thinking about human experience, God, creation, Jesus, spirit, community, worship, spirituality, peace, justice, other religions, life and death, openness to the future.
Course Objectives: Provide the Opportunity to:
Explore the perspective necessary to advance
the study of the arts and sciences in a Christian spirit.
Discuss those historical, philosophical, and
theological questions which form the character of Edgewood College as a
Christian college.
Be acquainted with a vision of peace and
justice which grows out of the Christian tradition.
Discuss the foundations necessary to know what are the recurring philosophical and religious questions of
fundamental beliefs about the human condition.
Express understanding of
oneself and others in the context of Christian and world development.
Examination of the roots of the traditions at
Edgewood expressed in the mission statement of the College, which includes the
following elements: intellectual competence, Catholic heritage,
ecumenical context, community of learners, service.
Bible of choice (see
instructor).
Dornisch, L. A Woman Reads the
Gospel of Luke. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press.
King, Martin Luther, Jr. Strength to Love.
Fortress Press.
Hanson, Bradley. Introduction
to Christian Theology. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.
To be supplemented by readings from journals,
selections from various writers and/or theologians. Additional
bibliography related to research topics.
Participation in class,
discussions, presentations, and other activities. (If a person is sick or
otherwise incapacitated, student is responsible for material presented and for
substitute activities.)
Assimilation of class materials: Notes
required. Attending all class sessions is very important. Attendance and
careful note taking are extremely important in this class. More than one
absence may lower your semester grade.
Class readings: notes, outlines, and
summaries.
2 short papers: 2 page book reviews:
1. Dornisch, A Woman Reads the Gospel of Luke due Feb. 26
2. King, Strength to Love due April 10
1 research paper: 5 pages plus bibliography: due April 29
In class response papers
(tests) on Introduction to Christian Theology.
Chapters 1-3 Feb. 21
4-6 Mar. 6
7-8 Mar. 27
9-12 May 8
Volunteer experience: 1 hour per week
average.
Volunteer Options:
Habitat for Humanity -
Saturday once a month. 7:30 a.m.
Contact Campus Ministry ahead of time.
Luke House - second Sunday
of the month. 4:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Contact Campus Ministry
Amnesty International - See
Edgewood College student activities.
CALA - Activities related to Latin American
issues.
Vincent de Paul Society.
Contact Campus Ministry or Ralph Middlecamp.
Guadalupe Center - South Park Street.
Others: Bring in suggestions which you know personally
for the list.
Jan. 22-24 Introduction. Orientation. Methodology
R: Dornisch: Introduction. Part One, Part Two
R: Selected Biblical texts..
Jan. 29-31 R: Selected World Religion text.
R: Selected Biblical texts.
R: Hanson: Preface. 1. Faith and Theology.
Feb 5-7 Group Presentations: Selected World Religion text.
R: Dornisch: Part Three, Part Four.
R: Selected Biblical texts.
R: Hanson 2. God.
Feb. 12-14 R: Dornisch: Part Five, Part Six.
R: Selected Biblical texts.
R: Hanson 3. Is Belief in God Reasonable?
Review 1-3 for test on Feb. 21
Complete Self-evaluation 1.
Feb. 19-21 In class paper response: Hanson 1-3.
R: Dornisch: Review. Write 2 page book review - Due Feb. 26.
Feb. 26-28 R: King. Strength to Love Preface. 1-2.
R: Hanson 4. Creation.
R: Hanson 5: Providence and Evil.
R: Hanson 6: The Person of Jesus Christ.
Review Hanson 4, 5, 6 - Test - Mar. 6
Paper Due: Dornisch. A Woman Reads the Gospel of Luke.
2 page book review (Format will be supplied)
Mar 4-6 In class test: Hanson 4-6
Self-evaluation 2.
R: King 3-5.
R: King 6-8.
Mar. 11-13 R: King 9-10.
R: King 11-12.
R: Hanson 7 Christ's Work of reconciliation.
R: Hanson 8 The Church
Review Hanson 7-8 - Test - Mar. 27
Mar. 18-20 Spring Break/ Holy Week
(Optional: Attend a service. Write a reflection.)Religious%20Studies%20224%20F8.doc
Mar. 25-27 In class response test: Hanson 7-8.
R: King 13-14.
Apr 1-3 R: King 15. Begin research paper.
Review King. Write two page book review.
Apr. 8-10 King: 2 page book review due.
5 page Research Paper. See Separate Paper for instructions. Library.
Apr. 15-17 Class discussions: Hanson
Apr. 22-24 R: Hanson 9 The Holy Spirit and Salvation
R: Hanson 10 Sacraments and Devotional Practices.
Apr. 29-May 1 Research Paper Due.
R: Hanson 11 Christianity and Other Religions.
R: Hanson 12 Eschatology.
Review Hanson 9-12.
May 6-8 In class response test: Hanson 9-12.
May 13 Final evaluations
Final Self evaluation due.
All Materials Due.