Faith, Reason, and Culture

Fall 2013, HON 1000-H04

 Tu/Th 2:30 - 3:45 pm

Dr. Jesse Couenhoven

jesse.couenhoven@villanova.edu

(forwarded to: jesse.couenhoven@gmail.com jesse.couenhoven@gmail.com)

Office: SAC 477

Office hours: Tues 4:00-5:00 and by appointment

Course Description:

This introduction to theology is a required course. Some of you may feel you’ve had enough Catholic education, and you are not looking forward to more. Others have had little exposure to the Christian faith and may feel that it is rather confusing. It may not seem fair that some people have a head start. Many will fall between these extremes. But I’d like to suggest that more of you are in the same boat than it may seem. My expectation for this course is that all of you will learn much that is new. I hope our discussions will prompt you to see yourself and our world somewhat differently. Here, then, are some thoughts about my expectations for our time together.

First, this is not a course in catechism or Sunday school. I expect you to know basic ideas, but this is not an exercise in rote memorization. It is a critical examination of the theological claims of the Christian tradition.

Second, besides the obvious fact that a third of the people in the world agree that Christian claims are true, there are two reasons for thinking that such an examination is worthwhile. (A) Whether one believes Christian claims are true or not, one would do well to seek to understand such a significant source of worldwide culture and practice. (B) Christianity raises deep questions about the meaning and nature of our lives, and these are questions that we should wrestle with whether we accept Christian answers or not. References to other religions are welcome, and often illuminating.

Third, I hope to create in our class a community of inquiry. We will not all agree on all points, but I hope we will listen carefully to whatever arguments are brought forward by others and respond thoughtfully. We should not fear disagreement and even vigorous argument, but in the midst of argument, we should treat each other with charity and respect.

Fourth, here’s my approach to Christianity. Our culture retains some of the vocabulary of the Christian faith (we've heard of Jesus, the Trinity, the Church, etc.), so we think we know what they mean. But most people mistakenly think Christianity is about ‘being good’ or something of the sort, which means that our culture has actually lost a deep sense of what it is all about, and why it matters. Christianity is not interested so much in your being good (and hardly at all in your being “nice” or “decent”) as in your being saved. But from what, and why? Those are the questions we pursue in this class. The answers are not superficial. If Christianity seems childish or naïve, that may be because until now you have only received an elementary education in the faith. Moreover, questions about the meaning of life will continue to hit you differently as you mature and have more perspective and knowledge to bring to those questions. You’ll never be done with them; we keep revisiting certain core issues over and over in life.

Academic Integrity:

Students are expected to adhere to the most rigorous standards of academic integrity. The Arts and Sciences academic integrity policy will be followed scrupulously. Students who plagiarize or cheat on any assignment will receive either an F for the assignment or for the course (at my discretion, depending on the seriousness of the violation), and a letter will be filed with the student's dean and with the Vice President for Academic Affairs. A second offense in this or any other course at Villanova will result in dismissal from the university. A permanent indication of the reason for dismissal will appear on the student’s transcript.

University Resources:

The Villanova Writing Center is located in Dalton Room, Old Falvey 202: (610) 519-4604. Writing consultations are available by appointment or on a walk-in basis.

Learning Disabilities: Villanova makes reasonable academic accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you are a person with a disability and wish to request accommodations to complete the course requirements, please make an appointment with me to arrange this. You must also contact the Learning Support Office: (610) 519-5636.

Class Attendance and Participation:

Students are expected to attend and participate in all class sessions. By university policy, students who are absent from more than 4 class sessions without a proper excuse (a note from a physician, dean, or coach) will receive an F for the course. 

It’s not enough to show up for class; you should come prepared to contribute to class discussion. Feel free to say whatever you want about the texts and themes of the course (don’t just say what you think I or your classmates will agree with), but be prepared to back up what you say with arguments and textual references. To receive an “A” for class participation you must both be engaged and show that you have thought carefully about your contributions.

Laptop, Tablet, and Cell Phone Policy:

I forbid use of computers in my classroom.  If you have an extenuating circumstance that requires use of a laptop, please provide proper documentation from the Learning Support Office (see above).  I also forbid use of cell phones during class.  If I find a student texting or otherwise consulting a cell phone during class, that student will be marked absent for the day.

Regarding Assignments:

Please email me a copy of your papers in Word format, as an attachment; I will email them back to you with comments. Essays should be double spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, 1 inch margins. Topics will be assigned ahead of time, but I am happy to allow you to write on a topic of your own choosing if you pass it by me first.

Grading criteria are as follows (taken from the Student Handbook): 

A         The highest grade possible; an honor grade, reserved for accomplishment that is truly distinctive and demonstrably outstanding. It represents a superior mastery of course material, a very high degree of understanding, and originality or creativity appropriate to the nature of the course. The grade indicates that the student works independently with unusual effectiveness and often takes the initiative in seeking new knowledge outside the formal confines of the course.

B          A grade that denotes achievement considerably above acceptable standards. It represents a good mastery of course materials, and a high degree of originality or creativity. The grade indicates that the student works well independently and often demonstrates initiative. Analysis, synthesis, and critical expression, oral or written, are considerably above average.

C          Indicates a satisfactory degree of attainment and is the acceptable standard for graduation from college. It is the grade that may be expected of a student of average ability who gives to the work a reasonable amount of time and effort. This grade implies familiarity with the content of the course and acceptable mastery of course material; it implies that the student displays some evidence of originality or creativity, works independently at an acceptable level, and completes all requirements.

D         Denotes a limited understanding of the subject matter, meeting only the minimum requirement for passing the course. It signifies work which in quality and/or quantity falls below the average acceptable standard for passing the course. Performance is deficient in analysis, synthesis, and critical expression; there is little evidence of originality or creativity.

Course Requirements

Midterm                                                                                         20%

Participation                                                                                  20%

Reading Journal                                                                            15%

Paper                                                                                               20%

Final exam                                                                                      25%

Reading Journal

For every class session students will bring a journal entry with three parts. In the first part, Substantive Point, write down the main point or points that you took from the readings. In the second part, Questions, write down any questions you have on the readings. These can be questions either for clarification or for discussion. In the third part, Reflection, compose a reflection upon the reading.  This would include things like whether or not you buy the author’s argument, how it could apply to everyday life, etc. 

Required Texts:

Bible, preferably Revised Standard Version (RSV), 2^nd Catholic edition (Ignatius, 2010)

This is Water, David Foster Wallace (Little, Brown and Company, 2009, ISBN: 0316068225).

And Now I See: A Theology of Transformation, Robert Barron (Crossroad-Herder, 1998, ISBN: 9780824517533).

In the Beginning, Benedict XVI/Joseph Ratzinger (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1995, ISBN: 9780802841063).

Many other texts for this course will be made available for free online in the Blackbird page for this course. You should print them out, mark them up, and bring them to class on the day we are due to discuss them.

Course Plan (subject to change at my discretion):

Tu, Aug 27                  Course Introduction

Th, Aug 29                  Thinking about meaning in life

David Foster Wallace, This is Water

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CrOL-ydFMI

Tu, Sept 3                   Christianity and meaning

The Martyrdom of Polycarp (Blackboard) 8p

James Alison, “Contemplation in a World of Violence.” (Blackboard) 16p

Th, Sept 5                   Is religion crazy talk?

Augustine, Faith in Things Unseen (Blackboard) [Read sections 1 – 5 and 10 – 11 only!]

Richard Dawkins, “Religion’s Misguided Missiles” (Blackboard) 4p

Herbert McCabe, “Is Belief Wishful Thinking?” Faith Within Reason (Blackboard) 16p

Tu, Sept 10                 The Role of Authority

            NT Wright, “How Can the Bible be Authoritative?” (Blackboard) 21p

            Jäger, “The Way of Body and Breath” (Blackboard) 8p [cut or move?]

Th, Sept 12                 Jesus—who and why?

            Robert Barron, “Prelude: Change Your Way of Seeing” 19 p

Bible: Gospel of Mark, Ch. 1 - 9:1 

Tu, Sept 17                 Jesus—who and why?

Bible: Gospel of Mark, Ch. 9:2 – end

            NT Wright, “Jesus’ Resurrection and Christian Origins” (Blackboard) 15p

Th, Sept 19                 Jesus—who and why?

Bible: Luke 10:25-37; 15:11-32; 16:19-31;

Benedict XVI, “The Message of the Parables” (Blackboard)  24p

Tu, Sept 24                 Jesus—who and why?

Martin Luther, “Disputation on the Humanity and Divinity of Christ” (Blackboard); Philippians 2: 1-11

Th, Sept 26                 No Class, I will be at a conference

Tu, Oct 1                     GOD & Creation

Augustine, Confessions I.1.1; Thomas Aquinas, I.Q.1.art.1. (Blackboard)

James Alison, “Monotheism and the Indispensability of Irrelevance” (Blackboard)

Nicholas Lash, “The Question of God Today.” (Blackboard)

Th, Oct 3                     GOD & Creation

Bible: Genesis 1-3.

Benedict XVI, In the Beginning, Homilies 1-2.  40p

Tu, Oct 8                     GOD & Creation

Herbert McCabe, “Creation” (Blackboard); 8p

John F. Haught, “Is God a Hypothesis?” (Blackboard); 13p

Benedict XVI, “The Consequences of Faith in Creation” (In the Beginning, pp. 79-100)

Th, Oct 10                   Midterm Exam (in class)       [Journals Collected]

Tu, Oct 15 – Th, Oct 17          No Class, Semester Break

Tu, Oct 22                   Trinity

Barron, Ch. 10. 12p

Richard of St. Victor, excerpts (Blackboard)

Th, Oct 24                   Sin

Benedict XVI, In the Beginning, Homilies 3-4  37p

            BIBLE:  Genesis 2-4.

(Recommended: Barron, Ch. 2 & 4  15p + 18p)

Tu, Oct 29                   Sin

McCabe, “Original Sin” (Blackboard)

Barron, Chs. 1,3. 15 + 12

Th, Oct 31                   Theological Anthropology

Bible: Romans 12

Pelagius, Letter to Demetrias (Blackboard) 17p

Augustine, Exposition 2 of  Ps. 31 (Blackboard) 26p

Tu, Nov 5                    Theological Anthropology

NT Wright,  Pauline Anthropology (“Mind, Spirit, Soul, and Body…”) (Blackboard)

Th, Nov 7                    Salvation

Bible: Gen 21-2; Exodus 19-20, Isaiah 1; Colossians 1:15-23; Romans 5-6.

            Barron, Chs. 6, 7. 35p

Tu, Nov 12                  Salvation

Alison, “An Atonement Update.” (Blackboard)

J. A. DiNoia, op, “Is Jesus Christ the Unique Mediator of Salvation?” (Blackboard)

Th, Nov 14                  Salvation

NT Wright, “Justification, the Biblical Basis” (Blackboard)

            Couenhoven, “Grace as Pardon and Power” (Blackboard)

Tu, Nov 19                  Ecclesiology & Sacraments

Bible:  Matthew 14:22-33

Augustine, “Sermon 76”. (Blackboard) 10 p

Stanley Hauerwas, “A Story-formed Community” (Blackboard) 25p

Wed, Nov 20  Paper Due by midnight.

Th, Nov 21                  Resurrection and Christian Hope

Herbert McCabe, “The Easter Vigil: The Mystery of New Life” (Blackboard) 11p

Bible: 1 Corinthians, Ch. 15

John Henry Newman, “Sermons on the Resurrection” (Blackboard) 10p

Tu, Nov 26 – Th, Nov 28        No Class, Thanksgiving Break

Tu, Dec 3                    Resurrection and Christian Hope

            Keating, “Toward Intimacy with God” (Blackboard) 13p

Merton, “Contemplation in a World of Action” (both Blackboard).

Th, Dec 5                    The Christian Life

Bible: Isaiah Ch. 59-62

Andy Crouch, “Culture Making”

Tu, Dec 10                  No Class, officially a Friday

Th, Dec 12                  The Christian Life  (Final Class)

Helmut Thielicke, Sermons (Supreme Love, Living by the Resurrection, The Treasure in the Field, Our Freedom and our Free Time)

            [Journals Collected]

Final Exam: Wed, Dec 18, 2:30 – 5:00