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Canyon College

online Theology course at Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: Practical Aspects of Theology

Course Title: Practical Aspects of Theology - TH480
Department: Bachelor of Theology
Instructor: Dona Williams, MTh, BS, E-Mail Vita
Prerequisites: Introduction to Theology


PURPOSE OF THE COURSE

In a previous course, we explored some of the themes and doctrines of Christianity and their major proponents. In this course, we will seek to understand how those doctrines might be applied in our everyday lives. This course visits the classical dichotomy between faith and praxis--that is, between what we believe and what we do. Students should keep in mind one of the definitions of theology contained in that previous course: David H. Kelsey defines theology as, "Theology is an activity of the Christian community in which it reflects self-critically on its current forms of speech and action to see if it is being faithful to the gifts and tasks God has given to it, that is, to its own identity."

Notice that Kelsey's definition proposes that we measure our faith by our actions and that part of theology is this measuring or evaluative process. Our journey shall be to focus on an evaluation of particular communities and how it is suggested that our faith as Christians be carried out there. Hopefully, students will come to bear witness to a truth hinted at by our authors that one cannot be a Christian without doing the work which Jesus Christ has commanded us to do.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Readings. The required texts are:   Online Bookstore
A. A Theology for the Social Gospel, soft-cover, by Walter Rauschenbusch. Westminister John Knox Press, 1997, 1945. ISBN: 0664257305 ("Rauschenbusch")

B. Violence Against Women, soft-cover, edited by Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza and Mary Shawn Copeland. Orbis Books, 1994. ISBN: 0883448769 ("Fiorenza")

C. Our Cry for Life: Feminist Theology from Latin America, soft-cover, by Maria Pilar Aquino. Orbis Books, 1993/1994. ISBN: 0883448955 ("Aquino")

D. Black Religion after the Million Man March, soft-cover, edited by Garth Kasimu Baker-Fletcher. Orbis Books, 1997/1998. ISBN: 1570751595 ("Baker-Fletcher")
2. Conferences.
Students may schedule up to two Internet conferences with the professor which can be done by sending an e-mail to the professor with a suggested time and date for the conference. The professor will e-mail back with conference instructions. Of course, students may ask questions of the professor at any time by sending an E-mail to the address at the link above or by posting them to the message board.

3. Exams.
There will be one exam which will be a comprehensive mid-term examination. The exam will cover the assigned readings and should be taken during the third week of study.

4. Papers.
There will be one paper due at the end of the course which will be by the end of the sixth week of study of between five and eight double-spaced pages in which the student writes on a theme prevalent in at least two of our authors or on at least two themes articulated by a single author. The paper should be written in a format which complies with the latest edition of Kate L. Turabian's A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. This paper is to be e-mailed to the professor. Those who do not feel comfortable with e-mailing the paper can contact the professor for a mailing address. Students should include a word count with the heading of their paper.

5. Grades. Course work will be weighted as follows:
Papers 50%
Midterm Exam 50%

6. Grading Scale.
90-100% A - Excellent
80-89% B - Above Average
70-79% C - Average
60-69% D - Below Average
59% or below F - Failing Grade

WEEK 1
Read Rauschenbusch pages 1-76.

WEEK 2
Read Rauschenbusch pages 77-166.

WEEK 3
Read Rauschenbusch pages 167-279.
MID-TERM EXAMINATION MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.

WEEK 4
Read Fiorenza pages vii-xxi, 22-32, 53-70, 109-122.

WEEK 5
Read Baker-Fletcher pages 1-5, 19-35, 58-87, 112-138.

WEEK 6
Read Aquino pages 1-25, 62-77, 81-108, 178-197.
PAPER IS DUE BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.