Instructor:
Dr. Jeff
Robbins
Office: HUM 307D
Email: robbins@lvc.edu
Phone: x.6720
Office hours: Wed 10:00-11:00, Tues, Thur 11:00-12:00, 1:00-2:00
Course Description:
This course will survey and critically reflect on the history
of Christianity from the Protestant reformation to the contemporary ecumenical
era.
Course Objectives:
to introduce the modern history of Christianity as a global religion, and to reflect on the diversity of its beliefs and practices.
to explore the theological and cultural legacy of the reformation and its consequent fragmentation of the Christian church and dissolution of Christendom.
to explore the effect of Enlightenment rationalism and cultural pluralism on shaping the present and future of Christianity.
Required Texts:
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Requirements/Grading:
Class Attendance and Participation (worth 20% of final grade): This course is structured as a seminar. As such, it is imperative that students attend class regularly, are well prepared, and ready to participate. To facilitate class discussion, students are required to come to class with at least one question concerning the reading. Questions should be addressed to the whole class (not only to the professor), and should reflect serious and critical engagement with the course material.
Reading Response Papers (3 papers, each worth 20% of final grade): Papers are to be 5-6 pages in length. The first will be on Roland Bainton's, Here I Stand; the second on Soren Kierkegaard's Attack Upon "Christendom"; and the third on Philip Jenkins, The Next Christendom.
Final Exam (worth 20% of final grade)
Course Schedule:
Weeks 1-4: The Reformation
Jan. 14: Introduction
Jan. 16: "The Late Medieval Church and its Reformations", pp. 243-276
Jan. 21-30: Martin Luther
Video -- The Reformation
Jan. 30: Reading Response Paper #1 Due (Click here for assignment details)
Feb. 4: "Protestantism" and the "Counter-Reformation"
Feb. 6: The Religious Wars
Weeks 5-8: The Enlightenment and its Critics
Feb. 11: "Enlightenment: Secular and Christian", pp. 277-309
Feb. 13: "The Expansion of Christianity", pp. 310-348
Feb. 18-March 6: Kierkegaard
Feb 18: "This Has to be Said", pp. 57-66
Feb 20: "The Instant, Nos. I and II", pp. 77-114
Feb 25: "What Christ's Judgment is about Official Christianity", pp. 115-124
Feb 27: "The Instant, Nos. III-VII", pp. 125-232
March 4: "The Instant, Nos. VIII-X", pp. 237-294
March 6: Reading Response Paper #2 Due
Week 9-15: Global Christianity and the Next Christendom
March 18-April 10: Christianity Since 1800
March 18: "Great Britain and Europe", pp. 349-395
March 20: "North America", 396-436
March 25: Video -- Protestant Spirit USA
March 27: "Latin America", pp. 437-473
April 1: Movie: Romero
April 3: "Africa", pp. 474-507
April 8: "Asia", pp. 508-538
April 10: "The Orthodox Churches of Eastern Europe", pp. 539-570
April 15-29: The Next Christendom
April 15: Chapters 1-2, pp. 1-38
April 17: Chapters 3-4, pp. 39-78
April 22: Chapters 5-6, pp. 79-140
April 24: Chapters 7-8, pp. 141-190
April 29: Chapters 9-10, pp. 191-222
May 2: Reading Response Paper #3 Due
