| New Course: Anglican History |
| Wednesday, 06 January 2010 16:26 |
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Taylor has added a new course for the winter term -- Anglican History and Thought. The Anglican Communion is one of the largest and most influential Christian communities in the world, and this course will trace the origins and developments that have made this movement what it is today. The draft syllabus is below, and to inquire further about this (or any) course at Taylor Seminary, email us at admissions@Taylor-Edu.ca.
Taylor Seminary CH 524 Anglican History and Thought Winter Semester 2010 Syllabus (unofficial) – To develop Christ-minded leaders who make a difference in the world – INSTRUCTOR: Darren Schmidt, Ph.D. Office Phone: 780-431-5769 Email: darren.schmidt@taylor-edu.ca
SCHEDULE: Tuesdays, 8:20–10:00
CREDITS: 2
DESCRIPTION:
An introduction to the historical development of the Anglican Church and Anglicanism, from the sixteenth century to recent times.
OBJECTIVES:At the successful completion of this course the student should have: 1) grasped the main outlines of Anglican history and thought; 2) enhanced their awareness of, and appreciation for, Anglican faith and practice; 3) gained a sense of the relevance and meaning of Christian history to personal Christian understanding and modern-day church life and issues.
ASSIGNED READINGS:
Readings will consist of selected chapters, articles, and primary source readings from a variety of sources. These will be made available to students at the beginning of the semester, with a nominal fee to cover printing expenses, as well as via reserve reading in the library.
REQUIREMENTS:
1) Reading 25 hours
Assigned reading should be done prior to the weekly lecture time, to serve as important background to the subject of the lecture. Class discussion will be a regular feature of lecture times; students should be prepared to contribute to discussions.
2) Reading Journals 5 hours
In addition to other assigned readings, five primary source readings of note will be distributed (one week in advance) by the instructor, to serve as a basis for scheduled discussions during class time. Prior to the designated class discussion, write a one- to two-page summary of the reading in question, identifying the historical context in brief (using textbook readings and additional sources if necessary), the main points, and both the historical and contemporary significance of the reading. These summaries should be handed in at the end of the lecture. If unable to attend the lecture, the journal assignment should be handed in at the seminary office or e-mailed to the instructor by the day of the lecture; late penalties will apply.
3) Research Paper 20 hours Conduct research and write an analytical paper on an individual figure or on a particular event or aspect from Anglican history. If interested in writing a biographical paper, you may either select from the list provided in the first week of class by the instructor, or suggest an individual of your own choosing, subject to the instructor’s approval. Other topics, again subject to approval, might include a particular congregation / parish or regional / national church (i.e. the Anglican church in Canada, Ireland, or Nigeria), movement or organization (i.e. the Oxford Movement / Tractarianism, the Church Missionary Society, the Alpha Movement), a key event or issue (i.e. the Great Ejection of Puritan-leaning ministers under King Charles II, or debates at a particular Lambeth conference of Anglican bishops), or the historical development of an Anglican distinctive (such as the role of the Archbishop of Canterbury, or Anglican understandings of the Eucharist, or the concept of the Anglican “middle way” (via media) in doctrinal and practical matters).
Besides giving an historical account of the person or subject, this assignment involves the tasks of critical analysis and interpretation. How have various authors approached the subject? Do you agree or disagree with their assessment? How is the history important in relation to the present day? Interpretations can vary significantly: for example, the sixteenth-century lives of Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer or John Foxe will look quite different depending on the context and perspective of the author / historian evaluating them. Where possible, seek out a variety of sources and attempt to explain the variances of interpretation: for example, you might compare accounts by Anglo-Catholic, Evangelical, or modern academic authors, or use two or more Anglican histories published in different time periods.
Please follow the Seminary’s Guide for Research and Writing (SBL style) (available from the library) for formatting all components of the paper, including title page, footnotes and bibliography. The bibliography should consist of at least five substantial sources, including encyclopaedia entries, academic articles and books, and comprehensive church histories. The paper is due at the beginning of class on the day of your presentation.
(2000 words) Due Date: Various
3) Presentation 4 hours Present the core research of your paper to the class. The purpose of the presentation is not only to accurately represent the history, but also to be creative and engaging. What is the essence of your study, and what are some of the most interesting or relevant aspects? How might we understand your subject’s place within the broad sweep of Christian history? Students are encouraged to use audio-visual aids (PowerPoint, art, music, costumes, dramatic monologues, etc.) to enhance the presentation and facilitate good communication. Please be concise: the presentation will be limited to 15 minutes, plus some time for questions.
Provide a one-page handout for members of the class which summarizes the major points of the presentation. Submit the handout to the instructor well in advance of the class if you wish it to be photocopied. Also, please advise the instructor if any technology is required, such as PowerPoint, TV/VCR, etc.
Note: students will not be tested on material from these presentations in the final exam.
4) Final Exam (two hours, held during exam week) 6 hours
PENALTIES:
Late assignments will incur a penalty of 5% per day (not including weekend days) for a period of one week, after which the assignment will not be accepted and a zero grade will be given. Extensions are considered only for verified medical or family emergencies; these must be discussed with the instructor as soon as possible.
EVALUATION:
Reading Journal 15% Research Paper 25% Class Presentation 15% Participation 15% Final Exam 30%
COURSE OUTLINE:DATE TOPIC |
| Last Updated on Tuesday, 12 January 2010 01:01 |
