History 3344 001:

HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY

32468

  Fall 2021,  Holden Hall 130

 MWF 9:00-9:50 am

 TEACHER

John Howe ,      Professor of History, Advisor for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Texas Tech                                                                                                     
Office Hours:  MWF 12:00 - 12:30 am, Tu 9:30-10:30 am , and by appointment                        

Office:  143 Holden Hall                                                                                             

Telephone:  834-7544                                                                                  

E‑Mail:  john.howe @ttu.edu                                                     

Web:  http://myweb.ttu.edu/jhowe   (the best way to access this syllabus)

PURPOSES OF THE COURSE

To survey the history of Christianity from the early Church until the present.  To examine certain themes of this history:  how Christians have a knowledge of God; how individual believers experience God as seen in Christian literature; how Christian communities are organized;  and how these organizations relate to secular governments.  To see how these themes have been treated in diverse Christian (auto)biographical materials.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this class, students will be able to:

1.  Describe major events and individuals associated with the development of Christianity;

2.  Recognize common features and themes in distinctive Christian communities throughout history;

3.  Appreciate the diverse documentation upon which the history of Christianity is based;

4.  Understand human behavior and ideas in greater depth by critically analyzing theoretical and ideological positions adopted by Christian communities; and

5.  Achieve greater proficiency in the following genres of historical writing:  essay examination and research paper.

Methods for Assessing the Expected Learning Outcomes

The Expected Learning Outcomes of the course will be assessed through a research paper, formal examinations, class discussions, and miscellaneous classroom assessment activities.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Required Texts

The Confessions of Saint Augustine.  Translated Rex Warner.  Baltimore:  Penguin, 1961. Or any other edition approved by the instructor.

Justo L. González, The Story of Christianity, 2 vols. New York: Harper Collins, 2010.  

The Book of Margery Kempe.  Translated and edited by Lynn Staley.  New York:  Norton, 2001.  Or any other edition approved by the instructor.

John Bunyan.  The Pilgrim's Progress.  Edited by Roger Pooley.  Baltimore:  Penguin, 2008. Or any other edition approved by the instructor.

Class Attendance

Successful completion of this course requires regular attendance.  Difficult reading assignments are interpreted and contextualized in class; additional subject matter is introduced. If you cannot attend 80% or more of the scheduled classes, you should not be enrolled.             

Required Reading

Specific reading assignments for each class are listed in the READING AND LECTURE SCHEDULE ,just above and to the right of the lecture date by which they should be completed.  Each assignment is the subject of the following class.  Read so that you arrive in class prepared to explain, praise, criticize, and question.  If read on schedule, the assignments are manageable; if neglected, they quickly become overwhelming.

Examinations

Midterm tests are scheduled for Wednesday September 22, Wednesday October 6, and Wednesday November 3.  Each will include multiple-choice questions, identification questions, a single essay (from two or more choices), and perhaps map work.  Students receiving a grade below "C" on a midterm should meet with the teacher to discuss it (this is part of the class participation grade).  An opportunity for a make-up examination, for a midterm missed for good reason, is provided on Monday, Noember 29, at 3:30-4:30.

The final examination, scheduled for Monday December 6 at 7:30-10:00 am, will feature multiple-choice and identification questions on the material covered since the third midterm, and several comprehensive essay questions (to be chosen out of many more). 

Short Research Paper and Class Report

Each student will choose a contemporary Christian group (that is, a church still existing today), and, using at least four primary and six secondary sources, will describe it in a 12‑15 page, double-spaced, typed paper (ca. 4000 words). The paper should introduce the group in question, and examine its attitudes towards the course's major themes (how individual believers know and experience God; how the community is organized; and how ecclesiastical organization relates to secular government).   Sources can be found not only in the Texas Tech Library, but also at local libraries (public libraries, although smaller than the University Library, may acquire local histories and works on local church communities that are not found elsewhere), and on the Web.  Avoid plagiarism.  Various style sheets and citation systems are possible, but you need to be consistent throughout.

Students will present their results to the class during the final class meetings.  A subject must be tentatively chosen by Wednesday September 22.  A draft is due at 9:00 am on Friday November 12 (students must turn in something by this deadline, even if the draft is still rudimentary—if there is no preliminary draft by this date,  the whole written paper assignment will receive a failing grade).  Papers will be returned with corrections no later than Wednesday November 18.   Students may keep the initial grade earned or rewrite the paper for a higher grade, but no rewritten papers will be accepted later than 9:00am on Wednesday December 8

GRADING

The course grade will be computed as follows:  30% from the three midterm tests (that is, 10% from each) 30% from the paper (25% for the paper itself; 5% of `A' credit for a satisfactory class presentation); 10% from class participation; and 30% from the final.  

The class participation grade is determined at the end of the semester by dividing students into three groups on the basis of attendance, class preparation, and class contributions:  1) individuals who were outstanding; 2) individuals who were average; and 3) individuals who were well below average.  The first group gets the class participation component credited as an `A'; the second group has these points neutralized (so they neither help nor hurt); and the third group has them credited as an `F'. 

 UNIVERSITY NOTICES

             Covid-19 Campus Protocols: As of May 19, 2021, face coverings are now optional in TTU facilities and classrooms, and all other COVID-19 campus protocols have been lifted. It is highly recommended that those who have not been vaccinated for COVID-19 wear face coverings to help prevent the spread of the virus.The University will follow CDC, State, and TTU System guidelines in continuing to manage the campus implications of COVID-19. Any changes affecting class policies or delivery modality will be in accordance with those guidelines and announced as soon as possible.

Accommodations for Holy Days: "Religious holy day" means a holy day observed by a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property taxation under Texas Tax Code §11.20. A student who intends to observe a religious holy day should make that intention known in writing to the instructor prior to the absence. A student who is absent from classes for the observance of a religious holy day shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence. A student who is excused under this provision may not be penalized for the absence; however, the instructor may respond appropriately if the student fails to complete the assignment satisfactorily.

Accommodations for Certified Disabilities Any student who, because of a disability, may require special arrangements in order to meet the course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make any necessary arrangements. Students should present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services during the instructor’s office hours. Please note: instructors are not allowed to provide classroom accommodations to a student until appropriate verification from Student Disability Services has been provided. For additional information, please contact Student Disability Services in Weeks Hall or call 806-742-2405.

TTU Statement on Academic Integrity Academic integrity is taking responsibility for one’s own work, being individually accountable, and demonstrating intellectual honesty and ethical behavior. Academic integrity is a personal choice to abide by the standards of intellectual honesty and responsibility. Because education is a shared effort to achieve learning through the exchange of ideas, students, faculty, and staff have the collective responsibility to build mutual trust and respect. Ethical behavior and independent thought are essential for the highest level of academic achievement, which then must be measured. Academic achievement includes scholarship, teaching and learning, all of which are shared endeavors. Grades are a device used to quantify the successful accumulation of knowledge through learning. Adhering to the standards of academic integrity ensures that grades are earned honestly and gives added value to the entire educational process. Academic integrity is the foundation upon which students, faculty, and staff build their educational and professional careers. Students are responsible for understanding the principles and policies regarding academic integrity at Texas Tech University, and abide by them in all class and/or course work at the University. Academic misconduct violations are outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. The University policies and procedures regarding academic integrity can be found in the Student Handbook. The Student Handbook and the Code of Student Conduct can be found online at www.ttu.edu/studenthandbook. It is the aim of the faculty of Texas Tech University to foster a spirit of complete honesty and high standard of integrity. The attempt of students to present as their own any work not honestly performed is regarded by the faculty and administration as a most serious offence and renders the offenders liable to serious consequences, possibly suspension. Academic or “Scholastic” dishonesty includes, but it not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, falsifying academic records, misrepresenting facts, and any act designed to give unfair academic advantage to the student (such as, but not limited to, submission of essentially the same written assignment for two courses without the prior permission of the instructor) or the attempt to commit such an act.

History Department Statement on Academic Integrity The Department of History adheres to Texas Tech University’s statement and related policies on issues of academic integrity as detailed in OP 34.12 (see above). Any student found to be in violation of these policies will be subject to disciplinary action at both the departmental and university levels. At the departmental level, such action may include one or more of the following: a failing grade (F) for the assignment in question; a failing grade (F) for the course; a written reprimand; disqualification from scholarships and/or funding. Graduate students violating academic integrity policies may also be subject to removal from the program. (See the department’s Graduate Program Handbook for more information.)               

READING AND LECTURE  SCHEDULE                  

M  Aug 23         Introduction

                                      Gonzalez I 1-5, 13-23                                             

W Aug 25         Ancient Israel                                             

[Th Aug 26       Last day for students to add a course]

 

Pilate's Ring ; Pilate Inscription Stone ; New  Testament Coins ;     Dating the Oldest New Testament Manuscripts ;                     

F  Aug 27        The Historical Sources for the Ministry of Christ 

                                      Gonzales I 25-30                                               

M  Aug 30       The Jerusalem Church  

       Gonzalez I 31-39                       

W  Sept 1        The Mission to the Gentiles

 

      Gonzales I 41-58; ;Christian Beginnings ; Letters of Pliny the Younger and the Emperor Trajan                       

F  Sept 43        First Conflicts with the State

        Gonzales I 59-96                                           

[M  Sept 6       Labor Day Holiday]                                              

[W  Sept 8       Last Day to Drop a Course without Penalty]   

 
W  Sept 8       Canon, Creed, & Apostolic Succession                                              

                                     Gonzalez I 97-127;  Augustine xix-xxv, 1-37 [Books I-II]                                            

F  Sept 10       Persecution & Growth

                                    Gonzales I 131-55 ; Augustine Confessions 38‑123 [Books III‑VI]                                                   

M  Sept 13       Constantine's Empire  / Young Augustine

      Gonzalez I 157-97;  Augustine Confessions 124‑209 [Books VII‑X vii]  
                                                                                                                       

W  Sept 15       Reactions to The Christian Victory /Augustine's Conversion(s)                    

                                   Gonzalez I 199-246                                     

F  Sept 17        Fathers of the Church  / A ugustine's Confessions / The Christian Empire: West & EAst

     Gonzalez I 246- 62                                                                     

M  Sept 20       Augustine

      Study                                           

W  Sept 22      Midterm # 1

      Gonzalez I 269-89  Bede's Ecclesiastical History; Patrick's Confession                                                                     

F  Sept 24       The Post -Roman Kingdoms and Conversion

                                    Gonzalez I 315-325 Saxon Capitularies                                                                               

M  Sept 27     Rise of the Carolingian

    Gonzales 327-44                                                                                                                     

W  Sept 29    Movements of Renewal                                   

    Cluny's Charter; ; "The Nobility's Reform of the Medieval Church." American Historical Review 93 (1988): 317-39.

F  Oct 1           Chaos and  Reform

                                    Gonzales I 357-85                                                   

M  Oct 4         Golden Age of Medieval Christianity                 

                                     Study                                               

W  Oct 6         Midterm No. 2

     Gonzalez I 387-406                                                                       

F  Oct 8         The Collapse

     Gonzalez 409-31 Margery Kempe  vii-xix, 3-60 [Book I i-xi];

      glance over Mapping Margery Kempe                                                                          

M  Oct 11       New Devotions

     Gonzalez I 433-46 ;  Margery Kempe 61-125 [Book I xi-xxxiv]; Francis: The Authoritative Life;                    

W Oct 13        The Popular Church        

     Margery Kempe 126- 205 and 257-61 [Book I xxxiv-lxvii and lxxxviii-lxxxix (end of Book I)]                                            

F   Oct 15        Margery Kempe 

     Gonzalez I  449-91                                                                                              

M  Oct 18       Missionary Outreach                       

     Gonzalez II  7-56 ;   95 Theses ; Luther On Christian Liberty ;

                                    "A Mighty Fortress";  Reformation Pamphlets

W Oct 20         Martin Luther

     Gonzalez II 57-76                                       

F  Oct 22         Spread of the Reformation                                              

     Gonzalez II 77-86 On Predestination ; On Civil Government

M Oct 25          Calvin and Geneva              

     Gonzalez II 87-104   Act of Supremacy 1534; 39 Articles                                                                 

W  Oct 27         Reformation in England

     Gonzalez II 105-34                                                                            

F Oct 29         The  "Wars of Religion"

                                    Gonzalez II 135-60     

M Nov 1        The Catholic Reformation

                                   Study                                          

W  Nov 3       Midterm No. 3    

                                 Gonzalez II 175-209     ; Bunyan xiii-xxv and 1-15 [brginning of Part I]                      

F  Nov 5       The Church(es) in England

  Gonzalez II 229-35; Bunyan 16-90                                               

M  Nov 8      Civil Wars /  Puritan Spirituality 

                                    Bunyan 91-165 [end of Part I]                                               

W  Nov 10    The Pilgrim’s Progress

                                    Gonzalez II 237-;73;  finish first draft of research paper                                                                              

F   Nov 12       Pietism and Revival and Enlightenment

                                    Gonzalez II 275-91319-45                                                                      

M  Nov 15       Christianity in English North America and in the Early U.S.A

                                    Gonzalez 473-530                                                                   

W  Nov 17     Twentieth-Century Christianity

     Prepare Presentations / Rewrite Paper

F Nov 19         Student Reports                             

    Prepare Presentations / Rewrite Paper

M Nov 22       Student Reports

   Prepare Presentations / Rewrite Paper

 

[Nov 245‑26  Thanksgiving Holiday]

  Prepare Presentations / Rewrite Paper                                                      

M  Nov 29       Student Reports

 

[M Nov 29        Make‑Up Examinations at 2:00]

                                   Prepare Presentations / Rewrite Papers                      

W  Dec 1        Student Reports

Mon Dec 6 at 7:30-10:00    Final Examination

W Dec 8 at 9:00am    Deadline for submitting submit rewritten papers