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TEXTS: Clendenin,
Daniel. Eastern Orthodox Christianity: A Western
Perspective. Second edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker
Academic, 2003.
Lossky, Vladimir. The
Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church. Reprint.
Crestwood, New York: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1997.
Nellas, Panayiotis.
Deification in Christ: Orthodox Perspectives on the Nature
of the Human Person. Crestwood, New York: St.
Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1997.
UNIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT:
Lee
University seeks to provide education that integrates
biblical truth as revealed in the Holy Scriptures with
truth discovered through the study of the arts and
sciences and in the practice of various professions. A
personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is
the controlling perspective from which the educational
enterprise is carried out. The foundational purpose of
all educational programs is to develop within the students
knowledge, appreciations, understanding, ability and
skills which will prepare them for responsible living in
the modern world.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
As a
Christian community of scholarship, we at Lee University
are committed to the principles of truth and honesty in
the academic endeavor. As faculty and students in this
Christian community, we are called to present our academic
work as an honest reflection of our abilities; we do not
need to defraud members of the community by presenting
others’ work as our own. Therefore, academic dishonesty
is handled with serious consequences for two fundamental
reasons: it is stealing—taking something that is not ours;
it is also lying—pretending to be something it is not. In
a Christian community, such pretense is not only
unnecessary, it is also harmful to the individual and to
the community as a whole. Cheating should have no place
at a campus where Christ is King because God desires us to
be truthful with each other concerning our academic
abilities. Only with a truthful presentation of our
knowledge can there be an honest evaluation of our
abilities. To such integrity, we as a Christian academic
community are called.
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
This
course provides a basic introduction to the shape and
contour of Christianity as it evolved primarily in the
Greek East. By focusing on major movements, events and
figures, it seeks to identify and explain the emergence of
Eastern Christianity and its distinctive features. THREE
HOURS CREDIT
I.
PURPOSE
This
course aims to introduce the student to the history and
theology of Christianity as it developed primarily but not
exclusively in the Greek East.
II.
OBJECTIVES OF COURSE
A.
General Learning Objectives
This course seeks to:
1. Help students
understand the basic contours and insights of Eastern
Christianity
2. Introduce
students to the major thinkers within Eastern
Christianity
3. Explain the
distinctive approach to theology in Eastern Christianity
4. Identify the
major themes and movements in Eastern Christianity
B.
Specific Behavioral Objectives
As a result of the activities
and study in this course, the student should be able to:
1. Identify major
Eastern thinkers and explain their ideas
2. Demonstrate a
basic understanding of the tenets and development of
Eastern Christianity
3. Compare and
Contrast specific differences among Eastern thinkers
4. Give an
overview of the major doctrines and movements
characteristic of the Eastern
Christianity
III.
TOPICS TO BE COVERED
A. Introduction to Eastern Orthodoxy
B. Theological Commitments in Orthodoxy
1. God, Trinity and Apophasis
2. Humanity as Image and Likeness
3. Salvation
4. The Vision of God at the End
C.
Theosis or Deification with God as the Heart of
Orthodoxy
IV.
INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES
A. Lecture/Discussion
B. Reading assignments
C. Writing Assignments
V.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS
A. Attendance and
Participation
Attendance and
participation is a crucial part of the academic
experience. Without being present for lectures and
participating in discussion the benefit of this class will
be greatly diminished. Therefore, attendance and
participation comprise ten percent (10%) of one’’s grade.
Each student will receive five (5) absences for any reason
whatsoever. Any student with a total of six (6) unexcused
absences will automatically lose five (5) points off the
final grade for the semester. Excused absences will only
be given under special circumstances such as illness
(documented by a health professional) or family tragedy,
and will not count against the final grade.
School-sponsored trips do NOT count as excused absences.
The student REMAINS responsible for the lectures, etc.,
missed during any absence. Additionally, every student
must be prepared to participate in class discussion.
Participation accounts for five percent (5%) of the
student’s final grade.
B. Examinations
There will be three (3)
exams during the course of the semester. They will cover
material from lectures and assigned readings. Students
must take all exams on the test date given. Exceptions
will only be made for those with special circumstances
such as dire illness, death in the family, etc. It is the
student’s responsibility in such cases to contact the
instructor prior to the test in order to make alternative
arrangements. Lack of preparation is not an excuse to
delay taking the exam as it is unfair to those students
who have prepared.
C. Short-Writing
Assignments
Two short-writing
assignments consisting of approximately 1500 words each
(5-7 pages) will be required of each student. The student
will choose a text from a list of Eastern Orthodox
writings that I will make available.
VI. EVALUATION
A. Evaluation
Activities
1. Examinations
60% (3 exams/20% each)
2. Short Writing Assignments 30% (15%
each)
3. Attendance and Participation 10%
B. Grading Scale
A = 90-100
B+ = 87-89
B = 80-86
C+ = 77-79
C = 70-76
D = 60-69
F = 0-59
VII.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Lee
University is committed to the provision of reasonable
accommodations for students with disabilities as defined
in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Students who think they may qualify for these
accommodations should notify their instructor
immediately. Special services are provided through the
Academic Support Program.
VIII. Select Reading List
Constantelos, Demetrios
J. Understanding the Greek Orthodox Church: Its Faith,
History and Practice. New York: The Seabury Press,
1982.
Lossky, Vladimir. The
Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church. New York:
St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1997.
_____. In the Image
and Likeness of God. New York: St. Vladimir’s
Seminary Press, 1997.
The Lives of the Desert
Fathers. With
an introduction by Benedicta Ward. Translated by Norman
Russell. Kalamazoo, MI: Cistercian Publications, 1981.
Meyendorff, John.
Christ in Eastern Christian Thought. New York: St.
Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1997.
_____. St. Gregory
Palamas and Orthodox Spirituality. New York: St.
Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1997.
_____. Byzantine
Theology: Historical Trends and Doctrinal Themes.
Second Edition. New York: Fordham University Press, 1987.
The Sayings of the
Desert Fathers.
Translated, with an introduction by Benedicta Ward.
Kalamazoo, MI: Cistercian Publications, 1975.
Öpidlík, Tomá×.
The Spirituality of the Christian East: A Systematic
Handbook. Kalamazoo, MI: Cistercian Publications,
1986.
Ware,
Kallistos. The Orthodox Way. New York: St.
Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1980.
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