Jonathan Tan, Ph.D.
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SPRING SEMESTER 2011
THEO 111-07 Tue & Thu 10:00-11:15 a.m. (Alter 217)
THEO 111-16 Tue & Thu 1:00 p.m.-2:15 p.m. (Alter 217)
THEO 111 Theological Foundations Syllabus
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:
CTT: Catherine Cory & Michael Hollerich, eds. The Christian Theological Tradition, 3rd Ed.
IAR: Charles Lippy, Introducing American Religion
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Jan 11: Welcome & introduction to the course
No assigned readings for today's class. -
Jan 13: "In the Beginning..." The Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) CTT, pp. 19-41
(2) Genesis, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3
(3) Holy Qur'an, Sura 7 (read 7:1-30 only)
IN-CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What are the similarities and differences between Genesis 1 & 2 and Qur'an, sura 7:1-19? What are the implications of these similarities and differences?
- What are the similarities and differences between Genesis 3 and Qur'an, sura 7:20-30? What are the implications of these similarities and differences?
- Which creation story (Genesis 1, Genesis 2 or Qur'an sura 7:1-19) do you prefer? Why?
- Which story of the fall of humanity (Genesis 3 or Qur'an sura 7:20-30) do you prefer? Why?
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Jan 18: From Jesus to Christ, I: Introducing the First Century World of Jesus Christ
REQUIRED READING: CTT, pp. 74-103
We will be watching excerpts from Part 1 of the PBS Frontline documentary, From Jesus to Christ in class today.
Discussion Questions ("From Jesus to Christ, I")
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians (PBS Frontline) - 20 Jan: NO CLASS -- Snow Day
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Jan 25: From Jesus to Christ, II: Who is Jesus Christ?
REQUIRED READINGS: CTT, pp. 103-117
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS: We will continue to discuss your responses to the Discussion Questions ("From Jesus to Christ, I")
IN-CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Who do you say Jesus is? Please explain your answer.
- Who do you think killed Jesus? Please explain your answer.
FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION:
The Colbert Report Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c Jesus Is a Liberal Democrat Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog</a> March to Keep Fear Alive -
Jan 27: From Jesus to Christ, III: Jesus in the Gospels
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) CTT, pp. 91-109
(2) Baptism of Jesus: Mark 1:9-11, Matthew 3:13-17, Luke 3:21-22, John 1:29-34
(3) Three Endings to the Gospel of Mark: Mark 16
NB: You may also use the Gospel Parallels to explore the Baptism of Jesus in the Four Gospels
Class Outline
Gospels Worksheet
We will be watching excerpts from Part 3 of the PBS Frontline documentary, From Jesus to Christ in class today.
IN-CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Compare and contrast the story of Jesus' Baptism in the four Gospels. What similarities and differences can you identify?
- What do these similarities and differences tell you about how the authors of the gospels interpreted the story of Jesus' baptism?
CODEX SINAITICUS:
Codex Sinaiticus Official Website (The Codex Sinaiticus is the oldest extant New Testament manuscript. This website gives online access to the entire codex for scholarly study. For a newsreport of this project, see: Scholars plan to reunite ancient Bible Online, Washington Post 21 July 2008 [source: AP])
FULLTEXTS OF CANONICAL SCRIPTURES:
Old Testament (New Revised Standard Version)
New Testament (New Revised Standard Version)
Gospels Parallels (Excellent resource for studying gospels passages side-by-side)
FULLTEXTS OF EXTRACANONICAL SCRIPTURES:
The Gospels: Canonical & Extracanonical
Early Christian Writings
Old Testament & New Testament Noncanonical Scriptures
Gospel of Judas Iscariot
Gospel of Thomas
FOR FURTHER READING:
Development of the Canon of the New Testament
A Testament to Change: Early Scraps of the Bible (Washington Post, 21 October 2006).
Easter Story Highlights Role of Women in Jesus's Life and Death (Washington Post, 7 April 2007, p. B11).
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Feb 1: Emergence of the World Christian Movement, I: The Apostle Paul
REQUIRED READINGS: CTT, pp. 118-134
We will be watching excerpts from Part 2 of the PBS Frontline documentary, From Jesus to Christ in class today.
IN-CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- How did Paul transform the emerging Christian movement?
- What are the implications of his approach to growing the Christian movement?
- How is Christianity different today as a result of Paul's actions?
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3 Feb: Emergence of the World Christian Movement, II: Growth, Persecution, Triumph
REQUIRED READINGS: CTT, pp. 135-160
We will be watching excerpts from Part 4 of the PBS Frontline documentary, From Jesus to Christ in class today.
IN-CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Why were Christians persecuted in the Roman Empire?
- How did the early Christians respond to persecution? What are the implications of their response to persecution?
- Why were Gentiles attracted to the Christian movement?
- How did the inclusion of Gentiles transform the Christian movement?
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8 Feb: Emergence of the World Christian Movement, III: Age of the Imperial Church
REQUIRED READING: CTT, pp. 161-165, 171-180
IN-CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Who was Constantine? What was the impact of his patronage and support of the Christian church? What were his contributions to the growth of Christianity? How did he affect the development of the Christian tradition?
- Part of Constantine's influence on the Christian tradition consisted of fostering a Christian devotion to the Roman Empire. Assess both the positive and the negative aspects of this identification with the state.
- How did December 25th come to be identified as the celebration of the birth of Jesus?
- What was the form of Church Government that emerged in the fourth century? How many patriarchs were there? What was the status of the bishop of Rome within this structure?
- What is the significance of the Tome of Leo?
- What is monasticism? How did it arise? What were the various forms of monasticism in the fourth century?
- What were the three main forms of Christian architecture in the fourth century?
- What is the significance of the floor plan of the basilica?
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10 Feb: Examination #1
Study Guide for Examination #1
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15 Feb: Islam, I: The Prophet Muhammad and the Emergence of Islam
REQUIRED READING: CTT, pp. 211-216
Islam Outline #01
We will be watching the first part ("The Messenger") of the PBS Documentary, Islam: Empire of Faith in class today.
Discussion Questions ("The Messenger")
WATCH ONLINE: ISLAM - EMPIRE OF FAITH, PART I: THE MESSENGER
(1) YouTube:
(2) Google Video
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17 Feb: Islam, II: The Qur'an and the Sunna. The Sunni-Shi'a Division. Law, Life & Spirituality. The Five Pillars.
Please watch the following on YouTube before coming to class:
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) CTT, pp. 216-226
(2) Can You Tell A Sunni From A Shiite? by Jeff Stein (New York Times, 17 October 2006).
(3) Malcolm X's reflection on his pilgrimage to Mecca (from the Autobiography of Malcolm X).
(4) Muslim Player Thrives With Nourished Spirit (New York Times, 13 October 2007).
(5) Fears of Inquiry Dampen Giving by U.S. Muslims (New York Times, 30 October 2006).
(6) Charitable Tradition in Transition (Washington Post, 13 September 2007), p. B01.
(7) Islamic Traditions Influence in Senegal (VOA News, 9 March 2007)
(8) Fasting and solidarity during Lent in Pakistan (AsiaNews, 26 February 2005)
(9) Muslims Help Fasting Christians (National Catholic Reporter, 19 March 2004)
(10) Reading the Koran (New York Times, 6 January 2008).
(11) Birth of Jesus: Qur'an Sura 19: (read 19:16-36 only), Luke 1 (read 1:26-38 only) and Luke 2 (read 2:1-7 only)
Islam Outline #02
ONLINE RESOURCES & PODCASTS: SUNNI-SHI'A DIVISION:
PODCAST: The Partisans of Ali: A History of Shia Faith and Politics [A 5-part series on NPR Morning Edition.
The Sunni-Shia Divide and the Future of Islam. By Vali Nasr, on "Speaking of Faith" (American Public Radio, 20 November 2008).
ADDITIONAL READINGS:
Quran, sura 81 (Last Judgment)
Mark 13 (Last Judgment)
Deuteronomy, chapter 6
Gospel of John, chapter 1
Letter to the Hebrews, chapter 1
ADDITIONAL READINGS: OLDEST QUR'ANIC MANUSCRIPTS
The Quranic Manuscripts Discusses the oldest Quran Manuscript: the Sana'a Manuscripts
Codex San'ā DAM 01-27.1 – A Qur'ānic Manuscript From Mid-1st Century Of Hijra
Querying the Koran (The Guardian, 8 August 2000)
PRIMARY RESOURCES:
Online Collections of Sunna & Hadith (courtesy of USC-MSA)
YOUTUBE: QURAN RECITATION COMPETITION:
ASHURA IN NEW YORK CITY:
ASHURA IN NABATIETH (SOUTHERN LEBANON):
FOR FURTHER READING:
Contemporary Sunni-Shi'a Conflict
Shi'ism & Contemporary Iran -
22 Feb: Islam, III: The Awakening of the Islamic World. Empire Building. Islamic Sciences. The Crusades.
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) CTT, pp. 218-220 (Abbasids, Cordoba, Crusades); 226-228
(2) In Medieval Architecture, Signs of Advanced Math (New York Times, 27 February 2007).
(3) Of Islam and Inventions (New York Times, 12 August 2007).
We will be watching the second part ("The Awakening") of the PBS Documentary, Islam: Empire of Faith in class today.
Discussion Questions ("The Awakening")
WATCH ONLINE: ISLAM -- EMPIRE OF FAITH:
PART II: THE AWAKENING
(1) YouTube:
(2) Google Video:
PART III: THE OTTOMANS
(1) YouTube:
(2) Google Video:
FOR FURTHER READING, I:
AN EMERGING NEW ISLAMIC GOLDEN AGE OF SCIENCES & COMMERCE IN THE 21ST CENTURY?
Islamic Sciences: Contemporary Developments
Islamic Commerce/Finance: Contemporary Developments
Higher Education in the Islamic World: Contemporary Developments
FOR FURTHER READING, II: THE CRUSADES
Pope Urban II's Speech at the Council of Clermont, 1095 Compare Pope Urban II's Call to Crusade in 1095 with Osama bin Laden's Call to Jihad in 2001.
The Siege and Capture of Jerusalem: Collected Accounts
- 24 Feb: No Class - Instructor away at Conference
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1 Mar: Islam and the Challenges of the Modern World
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) CTT, pp. 228-230
(2) 
VODCAST: Islamic Fundamentalism in Nigeria: The Shari'ah and Osama bin Laden
(3) VODCAST: Muslim women and the headscarf in Turkey
(4) Interview with Professor Akhbar Muhammad of SUNY-Birmingham, New York.
(5) Interview with Professor Amina Wadud of Virginia Commonwealth University.
(6) Interview with Professor Nilufer Gole of Bogazici (Bosphorous) University in Istanbul.
PREPARATORY RESOURCES:
Please review all the multimedia and news resources in Islam & the Challenges of Modernity/Postmodernity/Secularism for today's class. Our class discussion today will focus on Turkey and Nigeria.
Islam Outline #03
Discussion Questions ("Islam and the Challenges of Modernity")
We will be watching excerpts from the PBS Documentary, Frontline: Muslims in class today. -
3 Mar: Islam in the United States: Being Muslim and American
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) CTT, pp. 230-232
(2) Muslims in the Americas: Projection for 2010-2030 (Pew Forum)
(3) Adding Islam to a Latino Identity (New York Times Lens, 8 January 2011)
(4) Black Muslims: Left Out Of The National Conversation on Islam (New American Media, 30 August 2010)
(5) VODCAST: Portraits of Ordinary Muslims in the United States (Frontline: Muslims)
(6) Please read the articles in Multimedia & News Resources on Islam in the United States to prepare for today's class. For our class discussion, we will be focusing on:- U.S. Muslim converts from Christianity;
- Islamophobia/Discrimination Against U.S. Muslims;
- U.S. Muslim Women; and
- Black American Muslims
We will be watching excerpts from the PBS Documentary, Frontline: Muslims in class today.
Discussion Questions ("Islam in the United States: Being Muslim and American")
YOUTUBE CLIPS:
LADY CALIPHS ON ESPN:
This is a 7-minute clip on ESPN of the Lady Caliphs of W. Deen Mohammed High School (735 Fayetteville Road SE, Atlanta, GA 30316), a K-12 Islamic school that is noted for its academic excellence. The Lady Caliphs completed another outstanding basketball season, winning 21 out of 22 games. - 8 & 10 Mar: NO CLASS -- SPRING BREAK
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15 Mar: Examination #2
Study Guide for Examination #2
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17 Mar: Christianity in the United States, I: Religious Diversity in the Age of Colonial Conquest. European Settlers Increase Religious Diversity.
REQUIRED READING: IAR, pp. 1-16, 17-29
NB: Please come prepared to discuss the Discussion Questions at the end of each chapter of Introducing American Religion from now until the end of the semester.
RECOMMENDED VIDEO RESOURCES:
God in America (PBS) -
22 Mar: Christianity in the United States, II: The Expanding Religious Culture of English Colonial America. Religion in an Age of Revolution.
REQUIRED READINGS: IAR, pp. 30-44, 45-60
RECOMMENDED VIDEO RESOURCES:
God in America (PBS) - 24 Mar: NO CLASS
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29 Mar: Christianity in the United States, III: Native Americans and African Americans Challenge Religious Life. Evangelical America.
REQUIRED READINGS: IAR, pp. 61-74, 75-90.
RECOMMENDED VIDEO RESOURCES:
God in America (PBS) -
31 Mar: Christianity in the United States, IV: Religious Experimentation Brings More Diversity. Catholic and Jewish Growth Stretch Diversity.
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) IAR, pp. 91-107, 108-122
(2) When Americans Feared and Reviled Catholics (Los Angeles Times, 10 October 2010)
(3) Readings on the Ursuline Convent Riots of 1834 (Please read all the links in this post)
(4) In Fierce Opposition to a Muslim Center, Echoes of an Old Fight (New York Times, 7 October 2010)
(5) Wrong Then, Wrong Now (Commonweal, 26 August 2010)
(6) Catholics, Muslims, and the Mosque (New York Review of Books, September 2010)
FOR FURTHER READING:
The American Catholic History Classroom
RECOMMENDED VIDEO RESOURCES:
God in America (PBS) -
5 Apr: Christianity in the United States, V: The Impact of Civil War and Regionalism. Immigrants, Industries, and Cities.
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) IAR, pp. 123-136, 137-153
RECOMMENDED VIDEO RESOURCES:
God in America (PBS) -
7 Apr: Christianity in the United States, VI: Other Dimensions of Urbanizing America. Modernity Brings More Change.
REQUIRED READINGS: IAR, pp. 154-171, 172-186
RECOMMENDED VIDEO RESOURCES:
God in America (PBS) -
12 Apr: Christianity in the United States, VII: Reaction and Retreat. Quests for Unity Amid Diversity.
REQUIRED READINGS: IAR, pp. 187-200, 201-216
RECOMMENDED VIDEO RESOURCES:
God in America (PBS) -
14 Apr: Christianity in the United States, VIII: The "New Pluralism" of the Later Twentieth Century.
REQUIRED READING: IAR, pp. 217-232
RECOMMENDED VIDEO RESOURCES:
God in America (PBS) -
19 Apr: Christianity in the United States, IX: The Many Faces of Pluralism in Postmodern America. The Future of Christianity in the United States.
REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) IAR, pp. 233-247
(2) Round Up of Discussion on American Exceptionalism (NB: Please read all the articles listed in this post)
(3) Brooklyn Immigrant Congregations Clash (New York Times, 28 December 2010)
(4) The End of Christian America, by Jon Meacham (Newsweek, 4 April 2009)
(5) The End of Christianity in America? By Soong-Chan Rah (Patheos, 6 August 2010)
(6) Walking Away From Church By Robert Putnam & David Campbell (Los Angeles Times, 17 October 2010)
(7) On Their Way Out: What exit interviews could teach us about lapsed Catholics (America, 3 January 2011)
(8) Further Adrift: The American Church's Crisis of Attrition, by Peter Steinfels (Commonweal, 22 October 2010)
RECOMMENDED VIDEO RESOURCES:
God in America (PBS) - 21 Apr: NO CLASS -- EASTER BREAK
- 26 Apr: Conclusion: Review & Student Feedback
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28 Apr: Examination #3
Study Guide for Examination #3
Map of the Islamic World
(Click to download)
Distribution of Shi'i Muslims
(Click to download)
The Abbasid Caliphate in 750 C.E.
(Click to download)
Humorous student evaluations at a foreign (non-U.S.) university... Enjoy!!!
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