REL 1250 - Introduction to Christianity (4)

Monday,Wednesday,Friday

Type: In-Person Class Meeting

09:20 AM - 10:27 AM

Main Campus Campus | Dodge Hall | Room 237

Key ideas, major concepts, and peculiar language of the Christian religious experience.  Focus on history of Christianity, creeds and doctrines of various denominations, Christianity’s cultural influences, and Christian ethical systems.  Satisfies the university general education requirement in the global perspective knowledge exploration area.

E-mail:      engle@oakland.edu

Course Sections:      

1250~20 (15109) MWF 9:20-10:27am Dodge 237

1250~30 (12342) MWF 1:20-2:27pm Dodge 237

1250~100 (13807) Jan 11, Feb 8, Mar 14, SF 364

Prof’s Mail Box:    221 Varner

Office Hours:     by appointment

Cell/Text:      (248) 885-0929

1. Informs students of foundational Christian ideas and practices that contribute to global cultural capital operative in public spaces beyond narrowly defined faith communities.

2. Provides a deeper understanding of fundamental concepts and values that exert continuing influence upon broader contemporary social behavior.

3. Develops critical-thinking skills which examine Christian religious ideas and commitments from a neutral, state-university standpoint.

4. Explores the cultural meaning of Christian language and teachings, and probes the deeper questions of universal human existence underlying its religious symbolism and ethical teaching.

5. Achieves a deeper understanding of Christian history and thought that provides a basis of a more informed knowledge of its central teachings and doctrines.

6. Broadens the understanding of the role of foundational texts, theology and church doctrine in Christian renewal and development throughout the world.

~The Bible.  There are many (free) downloads if you don’t already own a print copy.  We will use the New International Version (©Zondervans, 1973). The NIV must be used for all written assignments and quotations.

1.  Attendance and participation at all lectures (see schedule below).  10% of your grade can be achieved by showing up.  Your attendance will be self-evaluated and graded by you at the time of the final exam.  Much of the material on both the mid- and final-exam is taken from the lectures.

2.  Read the assigned primary texts from the Bible and The Reader.  Reflect.  Come ready to dialogue.  Though the reading may/not always be reviewed in class, its content will be tested at the mid- and final-exams.  Weekly reading quizzes will be given throughout the semester (15% of grade).

3.  Write two short papers (10% each):

• An investigation of a Biblical text that was (is) important to Christianity answering “who, what, where and why?” queries.  All details for this assignment in your Reader, and I’ll later send a link to a video.
•  An investigation into the history and teaching of a “major” Christian doctrine or epoch.  Specific topics for these papers will be assigned, though you may suggest an alternative topic if you have something specific you would like to investigate.  All details for this assignment are in your Reader, and I’ll later send a link to a video.

4.  Present a class report and submit a supporting paper about a Christian church of any denominational stripe that you have attended this semester.  I will give you a reporting template to return and to use in your structuring for the class presentation.  Please note: as this will require out of classroom time, a couple of normal classroom hours will be given off to compensate.  All details for this assignment are in your Reader, and I’ll send a link to a video.  (15% of grade). You may partner with a classmate(s) for a collaborative presentation if desired.  Note: you could conceivably do your visit during the first month of class, and spend the rest of the semester reflecting on the experience and preparing your presentation..  Note:  This will require some university–level planning skills, so that you don’t have a crisis in early April.

5.  Sit for the mid-term and final exams (20% each respectively = 40% total).  I expect all students to take the exams on the days scheduled below. Please make your travel plans accordingly.