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Canyon College

online Public Theology course at Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: PUBLIC THEOLOGY

Course Title: TH580 - Public Theology
Department: Master of Theology
Instructor: Gerald FitzGerald, BD, MDiv, DMin, Phd Theology CandidateE-Mail -- Vita
Prerequisites: Understanding Theology or similar master level course.

PURPOSE OF THE COURSE
We have said elsewhere that theology is an activity undertaken by Christian communities. There we said that this activity involves primarily those communities reflecting "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..." In this course, that activity will involve reflecting on the forms of speech and action of Christians within the public sphere; or, more precisely, within the political arena.

Our task becomes all the more critical when our activity takes place within the environs of American democracy which demands the participation of citizens. Moreover, we are commanded as Christians "To render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and unto God what is God's." For us then, the question is not whether we should act, but how ought we to act and to what degree.

By the end of this course, students are expected to have an understanding of Public Theology and be able to engage in the activity necessitated by the desire of Christians to be in the world but not of the world.

DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
Canyon College is a non-sectarian, non-denominational school committed to the study of God in all the richness and diversity of God's revelations to humanity and an exploration of what those revelations mean to the everyday lives of finite human beings. Canyon College does not advocate any particular belief, creed, doctrine or idea other than the reality of God and does not require that its students and faculty subscribe to any particular belief, creed, doctrine or idea other than a willingness to be challenged and a commitment to an investigation into truth and the pursuit of academic honesty and excellence.

INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE
Students should strive to use inclusive language in their writings. By inclusive language is meant language that is not gender specific and which attempts to include as many people as possible. For instance, instead of writing that "God wills that every man obeys His will," inclusive language would suggest that we write, "God wills that everyone obeys God's will."

REQUIREMENTS
1. Readings. The required texts are:   Online Bookstore
A. Martin & Malcolm & America A Dream or A Nightmare, soft-cover, by James H. Cone. Orbis Books, 1992. ("Cone"). ISBN: 0883448246

B. Faith and the Future, Soft-cover, by Johann-Baptist Metz and Jurgen Moltmann. Orbis Books, 1995. ("Metz/Moltmann") ISBN: 1570750165

C. Reinhold Niebuhr Theologian of Public Life, Soft-cover, edited by Larry Rasmussen. Augsburg Fortress, 1991. ("Niebuhr") ISBN: 0800634071

D. "What Must I do?": Exploring Themes in Christian Ethics, soft-cover, Don E. Peavy, Sr. 1st Books Library (AuthorHouse), 2002. ("Peavy") ISBN: 0759637458
2. Conferences. Students may schedule up to two Internet conferences between the student and the professor. 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 bulletin board.

3. Exams. There will be a mid-term examination and a comprehensive final examination. The exams will cover the assigned readings and will be taken at the end of the weeks indicated below.

4. Papers. There will be a short paper of no less than two single- spaced pages or 1,250 words, due at the end of each week's readings in which students will answer the discussion questions and give a reaction to their readings. These papers are to be e-mailed to the professor. Those who do not feel comfortable with e-mailing the papers can contact the professor for a mailing address. Students should include a word count with the heading of their papers.

5. Grades. Course work will be weighted as follows:
Papers 30%
Midterm Exam 30%
Final Exam 40%

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

A = Clearly stands out as excellent performance. Has unusually sharp insight into material and initiates thoughtful questions. Sees many sides of an issue. Articulates well and writes logically and clearly. Integrates ideas previously learned from this and other disciplines. Anticipates next steps in progression of ideas.

B = Grasps subject matter at a level considered to be good to very good. Is an active listener and participant in chats, message boards, e-mails and conferences. Speaks and writes well. Accomplishes more than the minimum requirements. Work is of high quality.

C = Demonstrates a satisfactory comprehension of the subject matter. Accomplishes only the minimum requirements, and displays little or no initiative. Communicates at an acceptable level for a college student. Has a generally acceptable understanding of all basic concepts.

D = Quality and quantity of work is below average and barely acceptable.

F = Quality and quantity of work is unacceptable.


WEEK 1

Read Niebuhr pages 1-118.

Discussion Questions:
  1. Niebuhr declined to refer to himself as a theologian. What term did he use to refer to his activity and what does it mean?
  2. What did Niebuhr mean by Christian realism?
  3. What is the "liberal creed?" Do you agree/disagree with it?
  4. What does Niebuhr say essentially is the conflict between individual and social morality?

WEEK 2

Read Niebuhr pages 119-235.

Discussion Questions:
  1. How does Niebuhr define realism and idealism?
  2. Niebuhr says at page 123, "For it is unjust for some men to rule over others," quoting Augustine. Do you agree? What does the Bible say on this issue?
  3. "A realism becomes morally cynical or Nihilistic when it assumes that the universal characteristic in human behavior must also be regarded as normative." What do you say Niebuhr means by this statement?
  4. Explain what Niebuhr means by the social resources of faith. How do these assist Christians in acting politically?
  5. What concerns, if any, does the ever increasing pluralism of America's religious landscape present for public theology?

WEEK 3

Read Niebuhr pages 236-282 and Metz/Moltmann pages vii-37 and 159-177.

PLEASE TAKE THE MID-TERM EXAMINATION BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.


WEEK 4

Read Metz/Moltmann pages 38-158.

Discussion Questions:
  1. According to Moltmann, why must the church of Jesus Christ be a "Church of peace?"
  2. Of what importance is the doctrine of the Trinity to Moltmann? How does it help us to act politically?
  3. "The man who no longer loves no longer suffers." What do you think Moltmann meant by this statement? Do you agree/disagree?

WEEK 5

Read Metz/Moltmann pages 178-203 and Cone pages 1-119.

Discussion Questions:
  1. What are some comparisons/contrasts between Niebuhr, Metz and Moltmann? Use your entire paper this week to answer this question. Be sure to include examples from their writings to support your arguments.

WEEK 6

Read Cone pages 244-318. Read Peavy Chapter 1.

PLEASE TAKE THE FINAL EXAM BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.