American Christianity – CHHI 660

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

A study of the beginnings of Christianity in America to the present. Includes the European background, colonial Christianity, the first Great Awakening, the rise of the United States, the separation of church and state, the second Great Awakening, the development of religious diversity, the impact of the Civil War on religion, denominational development, the impact of immigration and industrialization, and the modern period. (Formerly CHHI 692)

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

A study of the Christian movement in America is essential to a proper understanding of this nation. This course is designed to give ministry students an appreciation for their heritage by linking the present with the past, which formed it.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview. 

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each forum. Each thread must be 400–600 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to at least 2 classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 200 words. (CLOs: B, C, D, E)

The student will submit a paper proposal containing the following elements: (a) a properly-formatted title page according to current Turabian standards, (b) the name of the person to be studied from the pre-approved list in the instructions (or another person with special permission from the instructor), (c) a 1-sentence working thesis statement, (d) 1 or 2 paragraphs (100–200 words in total) explaining the academic or ministry need for studying the proposed thesis statement, (e) a 1-level working outline, and (f) a working bibliography with at least 8 peer-reviewed sources, in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible. This proposal will form the foundation for the research paper the student will write later in the course. (CLOs: A, C)

Local Church History Paper Assignment

The student will write a 1,200–1,500-word paper in current Turabian format that details the history of a local church, which has been in operation for at least 30 years. The paper must include at least 3 references in addition to the class textbook and the Bible. The sources must include at least 1 interview and 2 written sources. One of the written sources can be authored/published by the church, but at least 1 of the written sources must be external (not written by the church). (CLOs C, D)

Quizzes (7)

Each quiz will cover Learn material for the Module: Week in which it is assigned. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes; contain true/false, multiple-choice, and matching questions; and have a 60-minute time limit. (CLO A)

The student will write a 4,000–5,000-word thesis-driven research paper in current Turabian format that demonstrates the instructor-approved thesis statement about the list- or instructor-approved person. The paper must include at least 8 peer-reviewed sources, in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible. (CLOs: A, C, D)