Course Number: Course Name - Ashland Theological Seminary

7. Demonstrate attentiveness to contextuality through the examination and
discussion of events in historical context for the purpose of becoming
increasingly competent contextual exegetes today.
Critically reflect on one’s own religious tradition and appreciate other traditions
8. Translate the discoveries of the course into practical forms/actions that will shape
or inform contemporary practices within the community of faith.
IV. Teaching Strategies for Student Learning
This course will utilize a combination of learning strategies including: lecture, discussion,
small groups, various visual aids, student-led discussions, and reflections.
V. Course Requirements
A. Textbook(s) and Other Readings
Dowley, Tim, ed. Introduction to the History of Christianity, rev. ed. Minneapolis:
Fortress Press, 2002. ISBN: 0800634969 (ISBN: 0800638123 offers a CD-ROM
study guide).
*You will need access to the internet for the primary source readings. I recommend
copying the assignments from the webpage and pasting the required sections into a word
processing program (then you can make the selection the desired font size, etc. and you
don’t have to worry about all the miscellaneous material in the margins of the webpage).
Please bring the day’s primary source reading with you to class, either printed out or
saved on a laptop.
**It is recommended that you have the Dowley reading for the course done before class
begins, but it is not required (the final exam will be given three weeks after our last class
session, so you have until then to be completely caught up). However, you MUST have
the primary source readings done for each session because we will be discussing them
each time we meet.
B. Attendance
According to the student handbook, attendance at all class sessions is expected unless the
professor has been notified in advance. Any student missing the equivalent of six class
hours will be required to do additional work, receive a lower grade or withdraw from the
class; this is at the discretion of the professor. This policy also includes tardiness.
C. Assignments/Assessment of Student Learning
Note: Students must place their student mailbox number on the cover page on all papers.
Students without a mailbox: provide the professor with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Historical Sketches (15% each). You will choose one person for each of four
historical sketches. You may choose the subject for each of your sketches. However,
you must read at least 10 pages from a primary source 1 either written by the person
or about him or her at the time. It is highly recommended that you choose people
1 For more information about what constitutes a primary source, please see Kate L. Turabian, A
Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 7th edition (Chicago: University
of Chicago Press, 2007), 25. If you have remaining questions, please contact me.
2 Revised 8-31-11