to introduce the history of Christianity as a global religion, and to reflect on the diversity of its beliefs and practices.

to trace the development of Christian thought and doctrine, and to reflect on how that development contributes to and/or reflects the developments of Western civilization.

to explore the relationship between Christianity and its culture, primarily through the cultural, historical, and theological reflections on the person of Jesus Christ.

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 (2 papers, each worth 20% of final grade):  Papers are to be 3-5 pages in length.  The first will be on Richard Rubenstein's, When Jesus Became God (due Feb. 4th), and the second will be on H. Richard Niebuhr's, Christ and Culture (due April 22nd).

Book Report (worth 20% of final grade): Students are to choose one book from the list of recommended texts to read and to present a 20-30 minute oral report to the rest of the class on the appointed date.  Reports will be graded on their clarity and creativity.

Final Exam (worth 20% of final grade)

Weeks 1-3: The Emergence of Christianity

	Jan. 14th:  Hastings, pp 1-24; Pelikan, pp 1-56
	Jan. 21st: The New Testament The Gospel of Mark,  Paul's Letter to the Galatians
	Jan. 28th: The Spread and Defense of Christianity The Martyrdom of Polycarp The Acts of Paul and Thecla The First Apology of Justin the Martyr
	Video -- From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians
	Jan. 28th:  Book Report -- Powell, Jesus as a Figure in History (Rebecca Frustino and Brad Cammarano)

Week 4: The Development of Orthodoxy

	Feb. 4th: Hastings, pp 25-65; Pelikan, pp 57-82
	Feb. 4th: The Nicene Creed
	Feb. 4th: Rubenstein, When Jesus Became God (Reading Response Paper Due)

Week 5: The Orthodox Church

	Feb. 11th: Hastings, 66-109; Pelikan, pp 83-94
	Feb. 11th: Book Report -- Ware, The Orthodox Church (Betty Hooker)

Weeks 6-7: Christianity in the Middle Ages

	Feb. 18th: Hastings, 110-146; Pelikan, pp 95-144
	Feb. 25th: Christian Monasticism The Life of Anthony The Rule of St. Benedict
	Video -- The Fires of Faith: Dissidents and the Church

Week 8: Reformation and Counter-Reformation

	March 4th: Hastings, 238-281; Pelikan, pp 145-181
	March 4th: Book Report -- Kittelson, Luther: the Reformer (Salvador Miranda)

Weeks 9-10: Christianity and Liberation Theology

	March 11th: Hastings, 328-368; Pelikan, 206-234
	March 11th: Book Report -- MacHaffie, Her Story: Women in Christian Tradition (Kristen Slattery)
	March 18th:  Justo Gonzalez, "Introduction," from Mañana: Christian Theology from a Hispanic Perspective Katie Cannon, "Introduction," from Black Womanist Ethics
	Movie -- Romero

Weeks 11-12: Christianity in North America

	March 25th: Hastings, 416-457
	Video -- Protestant Spirit USA
	April 8th: Book Report -- Marty, A Nation of Behavers (Matt Dabrowski, Mary Kohl, and Dan Lippincott)

Weeks 13-14: Christianity in Western Europe

	April 15th: Hastings, 458-507; Pelikan, 182-205
	April 15th: Book Report -- Donovan, Christianity Rediscovered (Virginia Carr and Kristyn)
	April 22nd: Niebuhr, Christ and Culture (Reading Response Paper Due)