The Cincinnati Bible Seminary of the Cincinnati Christian University HIST 570 Protestant Reformation (3 semester credit hours) Rick Cherok, Ph.D. Fall 2014 Office Phone: 5132448198 Email: rick.cherok@ccuniversity.edu Course Syllabus DESCRIPTION: This course is a study of the church from 15001650, with special attention given to both to the major reformers and the social, cultural, theological, and political forces that gave rise and direction to the period commonly referred to as the Protestant Reformation. OBJECTIVES: The student will Be able to identify the personalities and events that are important to Christianity during the period of the Protestant Reformation. Be equipped to trace the historical development of the church during the Protestant Reformation. Be able to explain how theological, social, cultural, and political forces influenced the development of the Protestant Reformation and impacted the church during this era. Improve analytical reading and writing abilities. COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Attendance Your consistent attendance is essential. Absences are strongly discouraged. Take notes on all class lectures. Read the course texts: The Reformation by Diarmaid MacCulloch. Read and prepare a book review (see attached Book Review Procedure ) for the two required supplemental textbooks: a) Getting the Reformation Wrong James R. Payton (Due: Sept. 15, 2014) b) The Anabaptist Story William R. Estep (Due: Oct. 27, 2014) Analysis Paper (LutherErasmus Controversy) (Due: Oct. 6, 2014) Write a major research paper (1520 pages) on a subject relevant to this course (see attached Research Paper Guidelines ) (Due: Nov. 17, 2014) Complete a midterm examination (To Be Announced) Complete a final examination (Dec. 15, 2014) GRADING PROCEDURE: Letter grades will be determined in accordance with the percentages listed in the college catalog. Individual grades will be based on the following criteria: MidTerm & Final Examinations 40% (20% each) Analysis Paper 15% Book Reviews 20% (10% each) Research Paper 20% Class Attendance, Participation, and Preparedness 5% Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to fulfill it George Santayana
Course Schedule Orientation, Historiography, & Background Luther and the German Reformation Zwingli, Calvin, & the Radical Reformers England, Scotland, & Other Reform Movements Catholic Reform & the Legacy of the Reformation Ask the former generations and find out what their fathers learned, for we were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but a shadow. Will they not instruct you and tell you? Will they not bring forth words from their understanding? Job 8:810 Dates to Remember Book Reviews: 1) Getting the Reformation Wrong Due: September 15, 2014 2) The Anabaptist Story Due: October 27, 2014 Analysis Paper (LutherErasmus Dialogue) Due: October 6, 2014 Research Paper (1520 pages) Due: November 17, 2014 MidTerm Examination To Be Announced Labor Day (No Class) September 1, 2014 Thanksgiving Break (No Class) November 2428, 2014 Final Examination December 15, 2014 I place history as first in order, because first in importance. The knowledge of facts is the most useful of all knowledge. Indeed, it is the only true knowledge. Theory without facts is but the ghost of knowledge. It is a spectre of a very equivocal character. A historian in any department, I mean one well acquainted with any class of facts, physical, intellectual, or moral, is an overmatch for every other man of equal talents, destitute of that species of knowledge, however splendid in imagination or brilliant in theory and speculation. Alexander Campbell (1845) Class Guidelines: 1. Arrive in class on time and be prepared for class work (have paper, pens, etc.). 2. Students who arrive in class late will be marked tardy on the attendance sheet (excessive tardiness will not be tolerated Three tardies is equivalent to one unexcused absence). 3. Students who leave class early (without permission from the professor) will be marked absent. 4. Be attentive in class. Sleeping, talking, and/or disturbances of any kind will not be tolerated (you will be marked absent for the day). Excessive inappropriate activities will result in the lowering of your grade or failure in the class. 5. Do not leave trash, papers, or debris in this classroom (keep the classroom clean!). 6. Turn in all papers at the appropriate due dates and take all exams on the scheduled examination dates. 7. Contact the professor if you have problems, need additional clarification of information, require help with the course assignments, or seek some other form of assistance.
Term Paper and Book Review Procedures 1. LENGTH A. Book Review Two to Three typed pages (doublespaced). B. Term Paper Fifteentwenty pages (doublespaced). 2. FORMAT A. Book Review Must consist of the following three divisions: (1) Publication Data A bibliographic entry for the book under review. See example below: Geary, Patrick J. Furta Sacra: Thefts of Relics in the Central Middle Ages. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1978. (2) Summary An insightful overview of the book s content. (3) Evaluation An analytical discussion of the book s content. Things to look for: (a) Thesis A single sentence that defines the author s primary argument (or purpose) for the book. Ask yourself why the author wrote this book. (b) Strengths and Weaknesses While reading the book, search for answers to the following questions: i. Does the author s evidence support the book s thesis? ii. Is the author s research thorough and documented? iii. Are there any internal contradictions or weak arguments in the book? iv. What does the author do that strengthens the book s argument (purpose)? What does the author do that weakens the book s argument (purpose)? v. What could the author do to make this a better book? vi. What stylistic elements does the author use (or fail to use) in this book? vii. What is the significance of this book to Christian history? B. Term Paper A wellwritten research paper will provide a thorough analysis of a historical (keep in mind that this is a history class, not a theology class) and include the following: (1) Thesis A thesis statement that defines the primary argument (or purpose) of the paper. (2) Body An analysis of the relevant information under investigation in the paper. (3) Conclusion A brief overview of the finding associated with the research. (4) Bibliography (which is given in addition to the assigned pages for the study) A thorough listing of all scholarly sources of information that deal with the of study. 3. STYLE Book Reviews and Term Papers must be written in proper English and in accordance with The Chicago Manual of Style. Spelling mistakes and errors will substantially lower grades. It is suggested that you proofread your work at least twice before it is submitted. A. Typing Format Use oneinch margins, twelvepoint type (Times New Roman or Courier New), page numbers, and new paragraph indents of between five and eight spaces. B. Formal Writing All writing assignments are considered formal scholarly writing. Avoid the following mistakes: (1) Passive Voice (i.e., Washington was elected by the people ). (2) Personal Judgements (i.e., It was boring, I did not like it, etc.). (3) FirstPerson Commentary (i.e., I find, I think, I feel, etc.). (4) Contractions (i.e., don t, can t, etc.) and Abbreviations (i.e., 2 nd, thru, etc.). C. Documentation All quotes and sources of information must be documented. (1) Book Reviews Use parenthetical references for documentation. Example: (Geary, 87). (2) Term Papers Use footnotes for documentation. See the example below for proper documentation of books 1 and journal articles. 2 4. GRADES Grading considerations will include content, grammar, and compliance with the rules And guidelines provided above. 1 Nathan O. Hatch, The Democratization of American Christianity (New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1989), 24950. 2 Nathan O. Hatch, The Christian Movement and the Demand for a Theology of the People, Journal of American History 67 (December 1980): 54567.
Reading for Comprehension: Or, How to Make a Book Your Own 3 by Dr. John Jameson, Kent State University A major problem faced by serious students and professionals is how to keep abreast of the increasing number of books in their field. The following suggestions, I hope, will help you overcome this obstacle. With some adaptations, these guidelines also can be used for articles. 1. Limit your time to 34 hours for each book. 2. Concentrate. You will be reading actively. Passive reading will take too long and put you to sleep, besides being a waste of time. 3. If available, read the dust jacket and end flaps. 4. Skim the title page. 5. Study the table of contents. This will be your road map for the book. 6. Read and study the preface and introduction. Mark liberally in the margins (if not your book, a light pencil check will do), particularly noting where the author states his or her thesis, purpose, scope, themes, and so forth. (If a borrowed book, erase pencil marks after step #18). 7. Skim the notes and bibliography. Do the following for each chapter: 8. Read the opening paragraph. Mark items relevant to #6 above. 9. Read the first, or al, sentence in each following paragraph and skim the remainder of the sentences in the paragraph. To encourage active skimming, I recommend using your finger. 10. Place checks in the margin when you come across references to items in #6 above. 11. If the chapters have conclusions, read these carefully, again marking what seems important. 12. Go through the entire book a second time reading over the marked sections. Now that you have skimmed (or gutted) the book, see if you can answer the following questions: 13. What were the author s purpose, scope, and thesis? 14. What periods, subjects, themes, and personalities did the author cover? 15. How well did the author succeed in his or her objectives (i.e., how well does he or she cover the ground you have defined in your answers to #13 and #14)? 16. How adequate were the sources (primary and secondary) used by the author? 17. Try to answer questions 1316 without opening the book. Only when you find yourself stumped should you flip through the pages. 18. Briefly write up your answers to questions 1316 on a single 5x8 card or, at most, a single looseleaf page. Don t use more than this; otherwise, you will go beyond your 34 hour time limit in addition to creating a paper jungle of notes. 19. And last, but not least, read several reviews of the book and briefly note how the critics received it. Some prefer to check the reviews first: it works best for me if I do the reviews last try it both ways and determine what best suits your needs. 3 For additional information on this, see Adler, Mortimer J., and Charles Van Doren, How to Read a Book (1940, revised, New York: Simon and Schuster, 1972).
GRADING RUBRIC FOR RESEARCH PROJECT Dr. Rick Cherok, Professor of Church History Cincinnati Christian University Grade Level Research Topic Use of Resources Writing and Grammar Mechanics of Project Organization A Level: Exceptional 4 Points B Level: Average; Good 3 Points C Level: Below Average 2 Points Exceptionally creative Thoroughly explored within page limitations Creative research Adequately explored within page limitations Acceptable Surfacelevel exploration of Thoroughly engages source and current Engages source Some engagement of source Well written with an than 1 error per page Well written with an than 2 Adequate writing with an than 3 Completes all of the Completes the majority of the Completes only some of the Solid thesis Clear thesis development Clearly formed conclusion Adequate Thesis Development Conclusion Inadequate in 1 of the 3 focal areas: Thesis, Development, or Conclusion D Level: Minimal Acceptance 1 Point F Level: Failure 0 Points Minimally acceptable Minimally acceptable exploration Unacceptable Inadequate exploration of Minimal engagement of source Fails to engage both source and current Adequate writing with an than 4 Unacceptable writing averaging 4 or more Completes only a few of the Fails to complete the Inadequate in 2 of the 3 focal areas: Thesis, Development, or Conclusion Fails to provide an acceptable thesis, development or conclusion Key to Research Project s Grade: A 1820 points B 1317 points D 37 points C 812 points F 02 points Mechanical Requirements of the Project Cover Page, Bibliography, Proper Formatting, Outline with Major Research Points, Proper Paper Length, Appropriate Binding, Etc. A copy of this rubric should also be included with your research project.