THS 550 L.00A Theology Intensive: Narrative Theology

Spring 2016

T- 7 PM–9:30 PM Criswell College Credit Hours: 3

Dr. Christopher Graham Email:

Office phone: 214-818-1390

Home phone: 214-388-8089

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will provide an examination of the methodology and history of the rise and legacy of the theological approach known as narrative theology.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this course, the student should have the ability to . . .

  1. articulate a working knowledge of the significant phases, events, persons, and terms in narrative theology as well as theological movements that are associated with narrative theology.
  2. critically engage historical and contemporary Christian articulations of narrative theology.
  3. critically appropriate elements of narrative theology for use in the local church.
  4. use regional, academic libraries to conduct research.
  5. participate in a professional academic conference.

COURSE TEXTS

  • Stanley Hauerwas and L. Gregory Jones, Why Narrative? Readings in Narrative Theology (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 1997).
  • Readings handed out in class

Harper 8. ISBN:978006147280

COURSE REQUIREMENTS[1]

  1. Tests (20%) Tests will assess thestudent’s working knowledge of significant figures associated with narrative theology (and associated theological approaches).The first test will cover basic biographical information.
  • Proper spelling of name
  • Dates: birth, death, significant events
  • Locations: birth, education, employment and ministry
  • Corpus (written work): type and extent of material
  • Accomplishments and legacy

This information may be found in a standard text (e.g., James C. Livingston and Francis Schüssler Firoenza’s Modern Christian Thought) or specialized dictionary(e.g., Evangelical Dictionary of Theology). For more recent figures not covered in these sources, internet pages (e.g., faculty websites, personal blogs) may need to be consulted. The second test will cover information related to the approach of these scholars as found in texts dedicated to theology and exegesis in text read during the semester. Tests will be administered at the beginning of the class according to the schedule below. No late exams will be administered.

  1. Reading (30%):

The required reading is the basis for class discussion; therefore, reading must be completed prior to the class session in which it will be discussed as indicated on the schedule below. During the course of the class discussion, students should be able to articulate information about the author and terminology encountered in the reading to provide working definitions of all words. The professor reserves the right to administer quizzes to ascertain whether students are reading with sufficient attention to these matters.

Reading from the required texts and from handouts distributed in class will be reported at the beginning of each class session. Any student who has not read at least 80% of the assigned reading from these texts will not be permitted to participate in the class discussion on that day. [Students who are going to be absent should e-mail the percent of reading completed to the professor prior to the beginning of class. There is no credit for reading that is not completed and reported by the beginning of the class in which it is due.]

  1. Research Assignment (30%):

The research assignment is intended to give students practice critically engaging a popular-level articulation of narrative theology. Over the course of the semester, students will work together to analyze a curriculum intended for use in the local church that is dependent on the use of narrative. Employing the information gathered over the course of the semester on the history of and methodological factors associated with narrative theology, students will prepare and deliver a 1½–2 hour presentation for a group of church pastors to advise them with regard to the curriculum’s strengths and limitations. The specific steps for this analysis as well as the date for the final presentation will be distributed on the first day of the course.Any student who is not present for the final presentation will receive no credit for the “Final Presentation” portion of the Research Assignment.

  1. Academic Practicum (20%)

Each student will choose a theological conference in the Spring Semester to attend:

  1. Evangelical Theological Society, April 1–2, 2016, Dallas Theological Seminary.
  2. Southwest Commission for Religious Studies, Marth 11–13, 2016, Marriott Hotel DFW Airport North, Irving.

Besides attending session, the student will plan to meet an individual at that conference who has published articles or essays in theological studies.

Before the conference, the student will visit libraries at four of the seven following institutions in the North Texas region: University of Dallas, Southern Methodist University, Dallas Theological Seminary, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Texas Christian University, Abilene Christian University, Baylor University and use the resources at those libraries to find published material by that individual.

After reading the four pieces published as articles or in books, the student will contact the author to follow-up on their personal meeting at the Conference and, if appropriate, continue the dialogue through interaction with the essays/books that were read.

A record of the completion of these activities will be reported to the professor by May 10th.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS

The penalty for late assignments varies according to the assignment and is noted in the requirements for each assignment above.

GRADING SCALE

The final grade will be based on the total accumulation of points as indicated under Course Requirements according to the grade scale in the Criswell College catalog.

A / A- / B+ / B / B- / C+ / C / C- / D+ / D / D- / F
97-100 / 93-96 / 91-92 / 88-90 / 86-87 / 83-85 / 80-82 / 78-79 / 75-77 / 72-74 / 70-71 / 0-69

F: Fail- If less than 70 points are earned, students may need to retake the course for degree.

WF:Withdraw Fail- Failing at the time of withdrawal.

WP: Withdraw Pass- Passing at the time of withdrawal.

I:Incomplete- No grade of incomplete will be issued unless approved by the professor.

ATTENDANCE and CLASSROOM POLICIES

Absences: Since class participation is vital to learning, absences should be taken only when absolutely necessary. More than three (3) absences for block classes will result in a grade of “F” in the courses. The professor and the Vice President must approve all exceptions to this policy. Proportionate absences apply to all other terms (Winter, summer, etc.). Students are responsible for all absences due to illness or any other reason. Granting of excused absences is permitted at the discretion of the professor.

Tardies: Missing more than fifteen (15) minutes at the beginning or end of a class period is considered one absence. Three instances of tardiness of fifteen minutes or less equals one absence. The tardy student is responsible for notifying the professor of his/her presence in writing at the end of class. Students who wish to depart early should clear it with the professor.

Attendance Sheets The official attendance record is maintained through the use of the Course Attendance Sheet. One student, who will be designated the Class Leader, will be responsible for beginning a Course Attendance Sheet. It will be distributed at the beginning of class. It is the responsibility of each student to sign the Course Attendance Sheet for the specific day. Students who are fifteen minutes late or plan to leave fifteen minutes early are considered absent (see “Tardies” section above) and should not sign the attendance sheet. The Attendance Sheet is submitted to the Academic Dean’s Office immediately after each class session.

Academic Honesty: Academic honesty is the application of the principle of truth in the classroom setting. It includes the basic premise that all work students submit must be their own and any ideas received from somewhere else must be carefully documented. To violate this principle is equivalent to academic theft, or plagiarism. Note as well that plagiarism can occur in at least two forms.

1.The copying of material directly out of a source (book or article) without using quotation marks

and/or without giving proper citation of your sources.

2.The use of large blocks of material from other sources, whether quoted or just summarized, without

giving proper acknowledgement of your sources.

Original Work: Work that has been done for other classes may not be used to earn credit in this class. Submission of work for this class is presumed to include an affirmation that it is the student’s own work and has not previously been submitted in another course.

Writing Assistance: The Writing Center is a place where writers of all abilities are invited to participate in a comfortable and collaborative environment to improve and enhance their skill and confidence by clarifying, practicing and promoting techniques of effective writing. It provides one-on-one consultation for grammar, punctuation, formatting, organization, citations, and various other writing-related concerns. Take advantage of this learning opportunity. For information and making appointments call 214-818-1373, e-mail , or visit

Learning Disabilities: In order to ensure full class participation, any student with a disabling condition requiring special accommodations (e.g., tape recorders, special adaptive equipment, special note-taking or test-taking needs) is strongly encouraged to contact the instructor at the beginning of the course or if a student has a learning disability, please inform the professor so assistance can be provided.

Student Dress Code (While on Campus): All students are to follow the Criswell College dress code as noted in the Student Handbook. Students not in compliance to the code may be asked to leave class. The dress code reflects our intent of preparing students for leadership in ministry.

Auditing & Sit-In Students: Any student may enroll in a course as an Auditor or Sit-in if space is available in the classroom. A student’s permanent transcript will reflect which courses have been completed as audits. Sit-in students are not given grades by professors and their transcripts will not reflect enrollment in the course. Taking tests and participation in course activities afforded to credit students in the syllabus is at the discretion of the professor.

Textbooks: The selection of textbooks should not be interpreted as implying the professor’s endorsement of any of the views of the authors. Textbooks are selected for their perceived value in helping to meet the course goals and objectives.

Course Materials: Any materials (course notes, lecture notes, handouts) distributed in class or posted on-line are for the use of enrolled students only. Please do not copy or distribute them to individuals not registered for this course. Any requests for these materials by non-registered individuals should be directed to the professor.

Recording: Students may not record class sessions. If a student desires to record a class session, written permission must be obtained in advance of the recording. Please submit a written request explaining the purpose of recording and the extent of use of the recording. Under no conditions may recordings be duplicated, given, or lent to anyone not registered for this class.

COURSE SCHEDULE

The following course schedule is proposed but subject to change.

DATE /
CONTENT
/
HAUERWAS AND JONES
1-19 / 1–21
1-26 / 21–64
2-2 / 65–110
2-9 / 113–157
2-16 / 158–190
2-23 / 191–248
3-1 / Exam #1 / 251–278
3-8 / 279–319
3-15 / Spring Break- NO CLASS
3-22 / 320–365
3-29
4-5
4-12
4-19 / Exam #2
4-26
5-3
5-10 / Research Presentation
Report from academic conferences

1

Graham, THS 550 (Theology Intensive: Narrative Theology), SP-16, T, 7–9:30

[1] Prepared for posting on-line. Every effort has been made to provide all of the substantial information necessary for students to plan their semester. The final syllabus, which will be distributed on the first day of class, may differ from this version and will be the authoritative syllabus for the course.