Course Description:

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.

Texts:

    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.

Class Requirements:

    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. 23
           2.  King, Strength to Love                               due April 6
     1 research paper: 5 pages plus bibliography:         due April 20
    In class response papers (tests) on Introduction to Christian Theology.
           Chapters        1-3        Feb. 16
                                 4-6        Mar. 2
                                 7-8        Mar. 23
                                 9-12      May 4
    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. 

Calendar:

Jan. 17-19           Introduction.  Orientation.  Methodology
                           R: Dornisch: Introduction. Part One, Part Two
                           R: Selected Biblical texts..

Jan. 24-26           R: Selected World Religion text.
                           R: Selected Biblical texts.
                           R: Hanson: Preface. 1. Faith and Theology.

Jan. 31-Feb. 2    Group Presentations: Selected World Religion text.
                           R: Dornisch: Part Three, Part Four.
                           R: Selected Biblical texts.
                           R: Hanson 2. God.

Feb. 7-9             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. 16
                           Complete Self-evaluation 1.

Feb. 14-16          In class paper response: Hanson 1-3.
                           R: Dornisch: Review.  Write 2 page book review - Due Feb 23.

Feb. 21-23         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 - Text next class - Mar. 2
                           Paper Due: Dornisch.  A Woman Reads the Gospel of Luke.  
                                             2 page book review (Format will be supplied)

Feb. 28-Mar. 2   In class test: Hanson 4-6 
                           Self-evaluation 2.
                           R: King 3-5.
                           R: King 6-8.

Mar. 7-9             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 next class - Mar. 23

Mar. 14-16        Spring Break - No classes

Mar. 21-23         In class response test: Hanson 7-8.
                           R: King 13-14.
                           Self evaluation 3 if desired.

Mar. 28-30         R: King 15.  Begin research paper. 
                           Review King.  Write two page book review.

Apr. 4-6             King: 2 page book review due.
                           5 page Research Paper. See Separate Paper for instructions.  Library.

Apr. 11-13         Work on research paper.  Due Apr. 20.

Apr. 18-20         Research Paper Due.
                           R: Hanson 9 The Holy Spirit and Salvation
                           R: Hanson 10 Sacraments and Devotional Practices.
                           Attend a sacrament celebration or other service.
                           Write a two paragraph description/response.

Apr. 25-27         R:  Hanson 11 Christianity and Other Religions.
                           R: Hanson 12 Eschatology.
                           Review Hanson 9-12.

May 2-4             In class response test: Hanson 9-12.
                           Final Self evaluation due.
                           All Materials Due.

May 9                2 pm   Final evaluations