JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
RELIGION 380
CONTEMPORARY THEOLOGIES
Spring 2008
2:00-3:15 TTh,  Moody 201
Iain S. Maclean

COURSE  DESCRIPTION

A survey of one or more of the following contemporary theological movements: Continental, North American, African, and South American, including Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant approaches and covering themes selected from the following: authority, tradition, interpretation, conflict between history/ reason and faith, Christology, Theology fundamentalism amd liberalism, and the emergence of liberation, feminist, black, neo-conservative, secular, pluralist and ecological theologies.

TEXTS

Primary:

*The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha. 3rd Edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001.
*Livingston, James C. and Francis Schussler Fiorenza with Sarah Coakley and James H. Evans, Jr.  Modern Christian Thought The Twentieth Century. 2nd Edition. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2006..
*McGrath, Alister E.  Theology: The Basics . 2nd  Edition. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing, 2008.

Secondary:

1]  *Barth, Karl. Dogmatics in Outline. San Francisco: Harpercollins, 1959.

2] *Boff, Leonardo. Ecology and Liberation. A New Paradigm  Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1996.  OP

3] *Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. The Cost of Discipleship New York: Simon & Schuster, 1997.

4] **John Paul II. Veritatis Splendor (Aug 6th 1993), Washington, D. C: National Catholic Reporter, 1993 and 1998.

5] **John Paul II Fides et Ratio (18th Sept 1998)Washington, D. C: National Catholic Reporter, 1993 and 1998

6] *Machen, Gresham. Christianity and Liberalism (1923) Grand Rapids: Wm B. Eerdmans, 1992.
 

*Asterisk indicates order placed with University Bookstore.

** Papal Encyclicals are available for about $3.50 from the offices of the National Catholic Reporter The National Catholic Reporter Publishing Co., 115 E. Armour Blvd. , Kansas City, MO 64111  USA  OR,  e-mail at rlarivee@natcath.org. Or call at 816-968-2259.

Or else, directly from the Vatican web site. http://www.vatican .va/   You will be presented with the home page of the Holy See--follow these steps:1] click English 2] click Papal Archive 3] Click John Paul II 4] select the encyclicals and print them.

Reference:

Barth, Karl.  Protestant Thought: From Rousseau to Ritschl. New York: Harper, 1959.
Berkouwer, Gerhard. A Half Century of Theology Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1977.
Berkof, Hendrikus. Two Hundred Years of Theology. Report of a Personal Journey Grand Rapids, MI: Wm Eerdmans, 1989.
Cunliffe-Jones, H. & H. Drewery. A History of Christian Doctrine Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, (1908) 1997.
D'Onofrio, Guilio. ed. History of Theology 5 vols. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1997-
Gustavo, Justo L. A History of Christian Thought 3 vols. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1971-1975.
Ford, David F. The Modern Theologians 2 vols. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishers, 1996.
Hopper, Jeffrey. Understanding Modern Theology  2 vols. Minneapolis: Fortress Press,  1986.
Marty, Martin E. et al. A Handbook of Christian Theologians Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1984.
McGrath, Alister E. Historical Theology Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishers, 1998.
Pelikan, Jaroslav. The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine  5 vols. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1971-1987.
Rahner, Karl. Sacramentum Mundi 6 vols. New York: Herder and Herder, 1968.
Schoof, T. Mark. O.P. A Survey of Catholic Theology, 1800-1970 New York: Paulist Press, 1970.
Tillich, Paul. A History of Christian Thought , New York: Simon & Schuster, 1977.
Urban, Linwood. A Short History of Christian Thought 2nd Ed.,New York: Oxford University Press, 1995.

NOTE: Students are required to obtain  at least two of the following works listed as "Secondary Sources:" Barth, Boff, Bonhoeffer, Machen.
 
 

COURSE GOALS:

This course aims to:
1] Acquaint appropriately prepared scholars with the most significant Western (and as the case may be, non-Western) theological movements, figures and problems of the contemporary period (defined as beginning circa the First World War and extending to the present);
2] through providing a roughly chronological overview of the theological developments, Protestant and Roman Catholic, during this period;  in the process
3] encouraging scholars to think critically and objectively about the "queen of the sciences;"
4] and developing a critical appreciation of both other and one's own (if any) theological tradition;
5] through not only critically evaluating theologies (their historical contexts, sources of authority, method and ethical implications)  but also in the ability to express the same orally and in written form.

  COURSE OBJECTIVES:

At the conclusion of this course, the succesful student should:
1] Be able to identify important names, texts, terms and events
2] Comprehend the important concepts of each of these theological traditions.
3] Understand not only the organizing principles and sources of authority for specific theologians, but be able to relate such to the manner in which this predisposes specific theologies to specific action in the world.
4] Have developed proficiency in both oral and written expression.
5] Be able to critically and sympathetically  discuss both one's own and other's theological traditions.

  COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1] Students are expected to read the primary assignments for each class session before that class meeting. Any additional readings are at the students' own discretion.The main points and issues should have been isolated during the reading and thus available for analysis and discussion.
2] The primary reading assignment for each class session should be available in the class either in the original or in note form.
3] There will be three exams, including the final. The exams will comprise one or more of the following: short questions, identifications, paragraph length responses, and one or more long essays. The exams will count as follows: First 10%; Second (Mid=term) 25%; Third (Final) 30% (total 65%) focused on work just completed up to that point, but could be cumulative.
4] There will be one 5-8 page paper, covering an aspect of one or more of the religious traditions examined in this course. The paper will count 25%, will be typed and handed in when due.
5] The class will divide into study groups, selecting a work to examine and to present to the class. This will include a handout summarizing or outlining the book. This presentation will include some provisional statement of any WWW sources or lists on the specific figure being examined.
6] Class participation (counting 10%) requires not only active interaction, but acting as facilitator at least once for a particular class session. This requires presenting in class questions or problems arising from that day's prescribed readings.
7] Class attendance and participation will serve as a deciding factor in those cases where a grade is borderline.

GRADING:

 The final course grade will be determined by computing the following grades: the first test (10%), the second test [Mid-Term] (25%), the Final Exam (30%), the paper (25%) and class participation (10%).

     Grading is on the following values: letter plus grades, from 7 above; letter grade alone, from 3-6; minus letter grades, 0-2 (e.g. 80-82=B-/ 83-86=B/ 87-89=B+)
Grades are assigned to written work (e.g. essays) according the following criteria:
D or F- Paper is filled with faults, errors in grammar and in spelling. Paragraphs are not coherent, there is no development of thought, there is no logically developed argument or thesis. If there is a thesis it is so broad as to be useless. Marked by repetition. Little sense writer understands or has read material.
C- Paper has a thesis, but it is broad and uninspiring. Does not advance any argument. Typically advances ideas based on the writer's feelings or opinions. This is insufficient. Such ideas must be supported by arguments or proof. Rarely offers evidence in form of footnotes, examples, comparisons, etc.
B- Paper is always formally correct, with good spelling, accurate punctuation, etc. Paper makes sense and has a defensible thesis and moves logically from point to point. Reader knows what writer wishes to say, even though there might be some infelicitious phrases, inelegant sentences, and unwieldy paragraphs.
A- Paper has all the good qualities of the B paper, but in addition it provides a provocative and interesting thesis that is well argued and defended in a lively manner. Everything in it points to the thesis and provides support for it. In may have a proofreading error or two, but these are forgiven by the overall excellence of the paper. Reading such a paper the reader senses a mind truly at work, a writer convinced by her or his ideas and ably able to present them in clear, logical prose. Such a paper provokes discussion.

    All papers and writen assignments are due at the beginning of class on the assigned day, typed/word processed, stapled (no paper clips), complete with a title page which includes the student's name, course title, number, honor pledge, and where necessary, an acknowledgements page (for bibliography, citations, sources etc.).
 No late assignments can be accepted in fairness to others who have timeously prepared their work. A grade of "F" is assigned to any written work not turned in on time, with the exception of those assignments for which prior, alternative arrangements have been made due to extenuating circumstances such as illness or family tragedy. Please keep copies of all submitted assignments.

  COURSE POLICIES:

1] The HONOR CODE of James Madison University applies to all work for this course. The student's signature accompanied by the word "pledged" an assignments indicates compliance with this HONOR CODE.
2] Attendance is expected, and an attendance roll will be taken, primarily so that the professor might learn your names! You alone are responsible for attendance and for the making up of any material, whether prescribed or presented in lecture (not necessarily the same). More than 4 unexcused absences will result in a one third of a letter grade reduction  per absence, from your final course grade.
3] Reading of all the assigned readings is expected. The reading material, especially the primary texts, need to be brought to class sessions for you to be able to justify any position or argument you might be making.
4] Participation in class discussion and in group presentations is expected.
5] Proficiency in written expression is necessary for clear communication of your ideas and arguments. Errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar will negatively impact your grade.If you are concerned about your writing proficiency, expose yourself to writing style by further reading and perhaps, consult the Writing Lab before submitting your final version.
6] Responsible computer users realize that computers are not always reliable (they can crash, they can scramble data, they can refuse to work, they can host viruses: at certain periods of the academic year, it can be difficult to find an open terminal, and printer problems are legendary.) YOU must therefore take all precautions to ensure that your papers are completed on time. Making frequent backups is a beginning, but you should have hard copies of your most recent version of your paper, so that, should your disk become corrupt, your hard or z drive fail, or midnight power failures occur, you will be able to reconstruct your paper. In the case of a last minute printer problem, submit a disk with an indication of the file name, and then hand in a printed version ASAP. To summarize the above, disk errors and printer problems are not sufficient to excuse failure to submit papers on time.
7] This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the professor. Any changes implemented will not disadvantage members of the class.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Religion 380: Spring, 2008

Schedule of Lectures

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