Calumet College of St

Calumet College of St. Joseph

RLST 330 – History of Christianity – I

Fall, 2010

Term: Fall, 2010

Course Number: RLST 330

Instructor: John M. Shields, Ph.D.

Office Phone: (219) 473-4262<= /p>
Email Address: jshields@ccsj.edu

Office Hours: By Appointment

Instructor’s Background:

Educational: Ph.D. in Constructive Theology at Loyola University of Chicago (2004); M.A. in Theol= ogy from the University of Notre Dame (1999); Ph.D. and M.Ed. in Educational Administration and Supervision from Loyola University of Chicago (1987 and = 1976 respectively); B.A. in Philosophy from Tolentine College (1972).

Professional: Serve = as Adjunct Professor at Loyola University of Chicago and as Associate Professo= r at Calumet College of St. Joseph; Superintendent of Schools for the Roman Cath= olic Diocese of Gary (1992-1999); Principal of = Bishop Noll Institute (1987-1992); and Educator/Administrator at Mendel Catholic High School (1973-1= 987).

Catalogue Cou= rse Description:

This course will trace the development of Christianity= from its founding up to the Reformation. Focusing primarily on key events in the life of Church and society, this course will survey such topics as early Ch= urch life and the persecution of Christians in the Roman = Empire, the development of early doctrines about Jesus, the development of monastic= ism, the Christianization of Europe in the Middle Age= s, the Crusades, the papacy, and the Renaissance.

Prerequisite:= RST 130.

Textbooks:

The Story of Christianity: Volume I by Justo L. Gonzales. San Francisco: Harper Collins, 1984.

A word about the textbooks: the Gonzales text is a straightforward and easy to read history of the life of the Christian community, i.e., the Christian Church, from its earliest beginnings to the = time of the Reformation. As such, it provides an overview of the key events, persons, issues, and trends in the development of Christianity to the begin= ning of the sixteenth century.

Learning Stra= tegies:

The predominant learning strategy will be critical reflection on the key readings leading to discussions with the instructor. =

Course Goals/= Learning Outcomes:

Through the process of critical reading and collegial reflection, the student will come to:

   &nbs= p;        1. Know the nature of the project of history and apply its method to the data = of early and medieval Christianity.

   &nbs= p;        2. Come to understand the inter-relationships of the data of the history of Christianity; this unders= tanding will require knowledge of the key persons, events, and historical circumsta= nces of the history of Christianity.

   &nbs= p;        3. Come to see the historical trends = that developed in the life of the Christian community that we call Church and to understand the theological implications of those trends for present and fut= ure Christianity.

4. Demonstrate analytical a= nd evaluative skills as applied to the data of the history of Christianity by successful completion of two well-written reflective essay exams.

   &nbs= p;        5. Analyze a historical trend or pers= on from the era under study so as to engage in a critical historical research study of that trend or person..

   &nbs= p;

Assessment: <= o:p>

   &nbs= p;        1. Two reflective essay exams   = ;            &n= bsp;        :        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p; 60 points

   &nbs= p;        2. One research paper (person or trend): =                 &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   30 points

   &nbs= p;        3. Class participation in group discussions&nb= sp;    :        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p; 10 points.

Grading:=

        &= nbsp;   A =3D 90 -100     = B =3D 80 – 89     C= =3D 70 – 79     D= =3D 60 – 69     F= =3D Below 60

Class Structu= re:

We will, with the assistance of the student analysis o= f the readings, discuss the trends that have developed in the history of Christia= nity by topic as outlined below. This discussion should serve as the basis for student completion of reflective essay exams (of 4= to 5 pages, typed and double spaced) synthesizing the learning from the perspect= ive of historical methodology. Furthermore, early in the semester students will= be asked to identify a topic or person of interest which/who will become the b= asis for a ten page (typed, double spaced) research paper. Time will be set aside for students to conduct research. Periodically, we will also view videos on= the history of Christianity so as to see an overview of a given era or topic. Furthermore, we will also evaluate some primary source readings so as to enhance our understanding of the historical trends and theological positions that arose during the era under study.

Calendar/Outl= ine:

        &= nbsp;   9/08        &= nbsp;        Introduction: Syllabus, Goals, Tasks

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       The Placher Thesis

   &nbs= p;        9/15        &= nbsp;        The Spreading of Christianity

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       G. 1-4

   &nbs= p;        9/22        &= nbsp;        Persecutions

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       G. 5,6,10,12

   &nbs= p;        9/29        &= nbsp;        The Apologists

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       G. 7- 9

   &nbs= p;        10/06        &= nbsp;      Dogmatic Issues Surface

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       G. 16-17

   &nbs= p;        10/13        &= nbsp;      The Fathers and Dogma

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       G. 19-24

   &nbs= p;        10/20        &= nbsp;      Constantine and Institutional Church

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       G. 13-14

   &nbs= p;        10/27        &= nbsp;      Monasticism

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       G. 15, 27

   &nbs= p;        11/03        &= nbsp;      The Crusades

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       G. 30

   &nbs= p;        11/10        &= nbsp;      The Medieval Synthesis

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       G. 32

   &nbs= p;        11/17        &= nbsp;      Medieval Reforms

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       G. 30, 33,34

   &nbs= p;        11/24        &= nbsp;      Research Day

   &nbs= p;        12/01        &= nbsp;      Research Day

   &nbs= p;        12/08        &= nbsp;      Class Ends – Research Papers Due

Please note that our purpose in meeting is to discuss = and process your readings collegially. It is important for you come to the meet= ings with an outline or comprehensive notes about what you see of historical v= alue from the readings, i.e., key persons, historical and ecclesial (Churchly!) events, etc. In the meetings, we will synthesize the historical data in ord= er to identify trends of significance.

Statement Regarding Plagiarism:

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel finds that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another = form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of acad= emic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of the CCSJ Handbook which addresses student grievances. (Academic Planner).

Withdrawal From Class Po= licy:

After the last day for class changes has passed (see C= ollege calendar), a student may withdraw from a course in which she/he is register= ed with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. Written request for withdrawal must be received by the Registrar= by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in t= he Catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number, 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the fac= ulty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If= the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed. Note: Degree Completion Division (DCD) students should consult = the DCD Student Handbook for information on DCD withdrawals.

Disability Service= s

The Student Support S= ervices Office is the primary office to guide, counsel and assist students with disabilities. If you have reasonable accommodation needs (e.g., exten= ded time needed for tests, note taking assistance, special testing arrangements, etc.) because of a disability, contact the Student Support Services Office = at 219-473-4388. Student Support Services staff will require documentati= on pertinent to your disability. If you already receive services through= the Student Support Services Office and require accommodations for this class, = make an appointment as soon as possible to discuss your needs. Calumet Col= lege of St. Joseph will hold any information you share in the strictest confiden= ce unless you request that it be shared.

School Closing Information:

Internet        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;             = http://www.ccsj.edu

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;      http://www.EmergencyClosings.com=

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;      Facility: Calumet <= st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">College of <= st1:place w:st=3D"on">St. Joseph

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;      Phone: 219-473-4770

Radio        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;    WAKE – 1500 AM

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;      WGN – 720 AM

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;      WIJE – 105.5 FM

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;      WLS – 890 AM

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;      WZVN – 107.1 FM

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;      WBBM – 780 AM

TV Channels        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;    2, 5, 7, 9, 32