Instructor: Daniel W. Skubik, PhD JD MDiv
Voice: 909.343.4288 / Fax: 909.343.4437
E-Mail: dskubik@calbaptist.edu
This course provides a detailed and contemporary theological study of the person of Christ. Special attention will be given to the Christological controversies of the early Christian centuries, and the resolutions of the councils that dealt with those controversies.
Donald Macleod, The Person of Christ: contours of Christian theology (IVP, 1998) (available for purchase in the bookstore)
Supplementary Readings [SR]: photocopy packet of materials from Grudem, McClendon and Moltmann (available for purchase in class)
Any modern, critical translation of the Scriptures is acceptable (e.g. NASB, NIV, RSV, NRSV). A study bible (e.g. the New Oxford or New Jerusalem bibles) that incorporates one of the modern, critical translations is strongly recommended.
Jul 5 |
Introduction to course and Historic Christian Creeds |
Jul 12 |
Narrative Christology |
Jul 19 |
Pre-existence and Son-ship |
Jul 26 |
Son of Man and Virgin Birth |
Aug 2 |
Christ of Faith I |
Aug 9 |
Christ of Faith II |
Aug 16 |
Christ of Faith III |
Aug 23 |
Uniqueness of Christ |
Aug 30 |
Concluding Christology |
Assessment & Grading Scale
Participation = 10% |
90 - 100 = A (90-94 = A-) |
Exam #1 = 35% |
80 - 89 = B (80-82 = B- / 87-89 = B+) |
Exam #2 = 25% |
70 - 79 = C (70-72 = C- / 77-79 = C+) |
Paper / Presentation = 30% |
60 - 69 = D (67-69 = D+) |
You must attend at least 6 of the 9 class sessions to pass |
0 - 59 = F |
Two exams will be given during the term. You will be presented a list of objective and essay questions from which to study the week prior to each exam. You will then come to class on August 2nd and August 30th to be presented a test composed from a selection of those same questions, writing for up to 100 minutes in response. These exams are closed book and closed notes.
You will sign-up to prepare an individual research paper, a 2-person debate, or 3-5 person group presentation on one of the historic or contemporary Christological controversies. The final product will be a 6-8 page paper that incorporates at least three (3) scholarly secondary sources, a (possibly in-character) face-off debate with a 2-3 page annotated bibliography from each debater, or a group "skit" on one of the councils and how the controversy was resolved with a 3-4 page full-text outline of the historical context with pertinent bibliographic sources. You each will turn in your paper to me in its final written form on August 23rd, and present your 40-50 minute debate/skit to the class as a whole on that same date. (In the case of the group skit, there will be but one written outline submitted on behalf of everyone involved. The entire group then will share the same grade, based upon the one outline and the in-class presentation. Group members not present for the presentation will receive no credit for either the written or oral portion of the project.)
Attendance: You must attend at least six (6) of our nine (9) class sessions in order to receive a passing grade for this course. Four (4) or more absences, whether excused or unexcused, will earn an automatic F. This may seem draconian, but our time together is too short and intensive. If you cannot commit to the class schedule, you should drop this course and seek an alternative. [N.B. You are counted absent if you (a) fail to come to class on any scheduled night, or (b) fail to arrive within 60 minutes of the start time.]
Participation: Although speaking in class, publicly putting and defending a position, can be daunting, you are strongly encouraged to learn to think through your own and others' experiences and insights within the context our discussions. Especially in this small group setting, I expect you to come prepared for discussion, having done the readings.
To give direct incentive to so engage, 10% of your mark for the course will be comprised of my assessment of your overall classroom participation. This includes, but is not limited to, my assessment of your participation during our sessions (e.g. making relevant comments during discussions, being prepared to respond to questioning, asking relevant questions, and following directions concerning reading assignments, and making contributions to the Web discussion forum). The point is to determine your active engagement with the material in the context of the class.
This syllabus is composed in good faith, with a schedule of readings, etc. which will guide us throughout the term. Still, the instructor reserves the right to make adjustments to this schedule as deemed necessary for the overall enterprise of the class. Any changes will be communicated as far in advance as feasible, and you are responsible for knowing if and when any changes have been made. Always check the Web site if you have questions about assignments or meeting dates and times.
Exams : you must arrange to take a make-up before the exam class session
Presentations : Presentations cannot be made up. If you believe you will be absent on Aug 23rd, you should elect to do the individual research paper.
Papers : Individual research papers will be accepted after Aug 23rd, but only through the end of class on Aug 30th. Late papers will be penalized 25%. No papers will be accepted after Aug 30th.
Make-Ups will be arranged only on good evidence of unavoidable absence from class (e.g. a specific doctor's note for illness or employer-arranged out-of-town business trip).
* N.B. The start time of 5:00pm indicates the time I will be available on site for office hours, i.e. the time you are welcome but not required to come to talk about course material, homework and other matters about the class. Instructional time begins at 6:00pm, the time you are expected to be in class and ready for the evening's work.