United Methodist History

Instructor: Rev. Dr. Cathie Kelsey, Dean of the Chapel ckelsey@iliff.edu, 303-968-9812 (cell)

Course Synopsis: How did a movement based on sharing grace become a multi-continent denomination at war with itself?  Whose voice and experiences got lost and found in the 275 years along the way of "methodism"? What in this history do you want to claim, and what do you want to reform?  These questions are bigger than one 10 week course, but in these 10 weeks you will discover how to live toward answers as a leader among the next generation of the people called Methodist.  This course is required for persons seeking ordination in The United Methodist Church (and probably in its successors, whatever they might be, as well).

We are going to be a mixed group of folks in this course - in multiple ways!

One important way we are mixed is that some of us are Iliff students taking the course as a hybrid and we'll be on campus together October 12-13, while others of us are students at Christian Theological School in Indianapolis, or are students at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Texas and we will be online only.  But except for weeks 5 and 6, we're ALL going to learn and engage together in this space. In weeks 5 and 6 Canvas will automatically show you only the assignments relevant to you (if I set it up correctly.)  7-25-2019

UM History 2019 course assignments grid-1.docx I F YOU ARE FINDING CANVAS CONFUSING, PRINT OUT THIS DOCUMENT!  It graphically shows you everything you need to do, week by week.  You can also email me at ckelsey@iliff.edu with the questions I have inevitably left unanswered.

4 Required books:

Job, Rueben P. A Wesleyan Spiritual Reader. (Nashville: Abingdon, 1998)

Richey, Rowe, and Schmidt, American Methodism: A Compact History. Abingdon, 2012

Watson, Kevin M. and Scott T. Kisker. The Band Meeting: Rediscovering Relational Discipleship in Transformational Community. (Franklin, Tenn.: Seedbed Publishing, 2017)

Wigger, John H. Taking Heaven By Storm: Methodism and the Rise of Popular Christianity in America. New York: Oxford Univ. Press, 1998.

Useful books for reference, but not required:

Maddox and Vickers, eds. The Cambridge Companion to John Wesley. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press, 2010.

Overview and Objectives

Degree Learning Goals: Please take some time to look over the Professional Degree Learning Goals (MDiv, MASJE, MAPSC) and the Academic Degree Learning Goals (MTS).

Incompletes:  If incompletes are allowed in this course, see the Master's Student Handbook for Policies and Procedures.

Pass/Fail:  Masters students wishing to take the class pass/fail should discuss this with the instructor by the second class session.

Academic Integrity and Community Covenant:  All students are expected to abide by Iliff’s statement on Academic Integrity, as published in the Masters Student Handbook, or the Joint PhD Statement on Academic Honesty, as published in the Joint PhD Student Handbook, as appropriate.  All participants in this class are expected to be familiar with Iliff’s Community Covenant.

Core Values: As a community, Iliff strives to live by this set of Core Values.

Accommodations:  Iliff engages in a collaborative effort with students with disabilities to reasonably accommodate student needs.   Students are encouraged to contact their assigned advisor to initiate the process of requesting accommodations.  The advising center can be contacted at advising@iliff.edu or by phone at 303-765-1146. 

Writing Lab:  Grammar and organization are important for all written assignments.  Additional help is available from the Iliff Writing Lab, which is available for students of any level who need help beginning an assignment, organizing thoughts, or reviewing a final draft. 

Inclusive Language:  It is expected that all course participants will use inclusive language in speaking and writing, and will use terms that do not create barriers to classroom community.