Religion 100
Christianity and the Religious Life
Religion 100
James W. Aageson
Academy 208
Office Hours: 10:30-11:40 M. W.
And By Appointment
e-mail: aageson@cord.edu
Web Site: http://www.cord.edu/faculty/aageson/JWAageson.html
Check Angel system
Course Description:
This course seeks to meet the needs of all students for a better understanding of religion as a basic feature of human life and of Christianity's classic and contemporary expressions, through the methods appropriate to the study of religion. The course offers an important initial opportunity for integrative study characteristic of a liberal arts education. It invites students to engage in thoughtful and informed reflection upon religious questions.
This section of Religion 100 will focus on the origin and development of biblical material, the interpretation of biblical material within the Bible itself, as well as the interpretation of the Bible at important points in the history of Christianity. Attention will be given to the historical, literary, and religious issues that shape Christianity and its thinking about the Bible. An effort will be made to relate class discussions to contemporary intellectual and religious issues.
Formal Objectives:
Provide a first course in religion that will:
1. encourage critical inquiry and constructive thought about religion and religious questions
2. develop knowledge of Christianity and its classic texts
3. introduce students to various methods of studying and comparing religious phenomena
4. enhance along with Principia and Discourse, learning which provides a foundation for liberal arts study
5. prepare students for advanced work in their second religion course.
Course Requirements and Evaluation:
There will be three exams totaling 55% of the final grade. See the next page for the dates of the first two exams. The final exam will be comprehensive and will be given during finals week. Exams will cover assigned readings, lectures, and class activities. All assignments must be completed to receive a passing grade
There will be three means of evaluating student work for the remaining 45% of the final grade (30% of the grade will come from two papers totaling 10-15 pages and 15% of the grade will come from specific assignment/s as described on the schedule page).
Exam 1 15%
Exam 2 15%
Final 3 25% Two Papers 30% Assignments 15%
___________ ______________ _______________
55% 30% 15%
Grade scale: 90%-100%(A); 80%-89%(B); 70%-79%(C);
60%-69%(D); Below 60%(F).
One Enrichment Session will be Required (TBA)
Academic Integrity Statement:
Students are expected to be guided by the highest expressions of academic integrity in completing course requirements. These expectations are set forth in Academic Integrity at Concordia College. Students who show disregard for academic integrity and are detected should expect to be penalized by receiving a failing grade (in such cases make-up is not possible). Each violation of academic integrity will be reported to the Academic Dean's Office and the offender will be placed on probationary status for one year.
Violations of academic integrity include cheating, plagiarism, falsification, facilitating other's violations and impeding. These violations are fully defined in Academic Integrity at Concordia College pp. 11-13 and should be carefully studied. These definitions were developed in a North American context. Other cultures define forms of academic dishonesty differently. International students studying at Concordia, however, are expected to be guided by North American norms of academic integrity. Any student who is unclear about the application of these norms in the completion of a particular assignment should consult the instructor.
Attendance:
More than three absences for the semester will result in a 30% reduction in the participation and attendance grade. More than five absences for the semester will result in a 60% reduction in the participation and attendance (exceptions will be made for extreme situations such as severe illness, death in the family etc.)
Make-up Exam Policy:
If a student cannot take an exam at the assigned time, s/he must get permission from the instructor and if granted, make-up exams are given between 9 and 11am. M-F with religion department staff only.
Course Books:
Bible—New Revised Standard Version (mandatory)
J. W. Aageson—In the Beginning: Critical Concepts for the Study of Bible
Philip Jenkins—The Next Christendom
S. Endo---Silence
G. Theissen—The Shadow of the Galilean
Course Outline:
The Bible and Its Interpretation
Week One—August 29
Introduction to the course.
Week Two—September 1, 3, 5
The Study of the Bible.
Read: In the Beginning , pp. 1-76.
Week Three-September 8, 10, 12
The Study of the Bible.
Read: In the Beginning , pp. 77-144.
Week Four—September 15, 17, 19
The Bible in Context.
Video, Slides, Maps, and Discussion.
Week Five—September 22, 24, 26
Genesis: Creation, Fall, and Call
Read: Genesis and The Quran, “The Cow” 2:113-2:210 (electronic text, see link on my web
page).
Week Six—September 29, October 1, 3
Exodus: The Great Escape
Read: Exodus.
Week Seven—October, 6, 8, 10
Ruth and Jonah: Insiders and Outsiders
Read: Ruth, Jonah, and Quran, “The Family of Imran.”
Exam #1, Friday, October 10
Week Eight—October 13 & 15
The Prophetic Voice and the Psalms
Read: Isaiah, chapters 40-66, Jonah, and Psalms 8, 22, 72, 116, 124, 137.
Week Nine—October 22 & 24
The Crucified Messiah in the Gospel of Mark.
Read: Mark and Shadow of the Galilean, pp. 1-187.
Text Study Paper Due, Friday, October 24, (not accepted after March 31)
Week Ten—October 27, 29, 31
The Apostle to the Gentiles.
Read: Galatians and Romans.
The Church and its History
Week Eleven--November 3, 5, 7
Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism: Sibling Religions.
Read: “Didache” (electronic text, see my web page)
Another Christianity.
Read: Gospel of Thomas (electronic text; see link on my my web page).
Exam #2, Friday, November 7
Week Twelve—November 10, 12, 14
Protestant Reformers (video).
Read: Luther: ”95 Theses,” “On Christian Liberty” (electronic text; see link on my web page).
Week Thirteen—November 17, 19, 21
Christianity and 17th Century Japan
Read: Shusaku Endo: Silence.
Week Fourteen—November 24 (no class)
Topical Paper Due, Monday, November 24 (not accepted after December 1).
Week Fifteen—December 1, 3, 5
The Next Christendom
Read: Jenkins, pp. 1-105.
Week Sixteen—December 8, 10, 12
The Next Christendom
Read: Jenkins, pp. 107-220.
Finals week—final exam
Exam #3
Papers:
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Text Study: You are to pick a biblical text (a few verses) and write a 7-8 page explanation of the text in which you address the historical, literary, theological, and religious character of the text. Your job in this paper is to explain, as best you can, what you think the text meant in its original context (see attached sheet).
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Response Paper: You are to select a reading or an idea or a debate over some issue and write a 5-6 page response paper in which you identify the issues at stake, analyze various sides of the issue, and elaborate how you understand the issues and why you think about them as you do (see attached sheet)
JAMES W. AAGESON
