IST2057-1OL-WI14 - The Episcopal Church in America

Instructor : Gregory Allen Robbins, Ph.D.
Director, The Anglican Studies Program, Iliff School of Theology/Diocese of Colorado
Honorary Canon Theologian, Saint John’s Cathedral/Diocese of Colorado
Chairman, Department of Religious Studies, University of Denver
Associate Professor, History of Christianity and its Scriptures
E-mail : grobbins@du.edu
Phone :  303.871.2751
Home phone (for weekends) :  303.861.0723

Course Synopsis

Episcopalians have played a significant role in the political and cultural life of America for over two hundred years. A branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion, the Episcopal Church in the United States has nevertheless manifested its identity in distinctive ways. This course provides a snapshot of how that identity has been forged by focusing on three elements: its history from Colonial times until the present, on the development of its worship , and on the evolution of its polity . These elements often intersect in interesting and unexpected ways. In many respects, this course constitutes yet another chapter in what has been described as English Reformation s .

Books for the Course

Most of these are available in multiple formats, including e-book versions; some used copies of Hatchett are available.

Other required readings will be posted on-line.

See Taylor Library's list of online book sellers for purchasing options.

Course Overview

Episcopalians have played a significant role in the political and cultural life of America for over two hundred years. A branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion, the Episcopal Church in the United States has nevertheless manifested its identity in distinctive ways. This course provides a snapshot of how that identity has been forged by focusing on three elements: its history from Colonial times until the present, on the development of its worship, and on the evolution of its polity. These elements often intersect in interesting and unexpected ways. In many respects, this course constitutes yet another chapter in what has been described as English Reformations.  

 

Course Objectives and outcomes

With this overview in mind, the goals of the course are:

 

By completing the requirements of IST 2057, you will:

  1. “Locates” your congregation in the history of your diocese, and the diocese’s history in the Episcopal Church;
  2. Identifies and lifts up influential persons and their contributions to the institution’s history;
  3. Fits appropriately within the accustomed worship life/praxis of the congregation;

 

Evaluation

OVERALL COURSE EVALUATION

Students will be expected to compile a portfolio of work. Weekly discussions serve to document how well students have integrated the readings and lectures, as well as having entered imaginatively into the topics of the modules. Students will complete five, short papers in which they will “exegete” specific passages from original sources. Each student will be expected to construct an annotated, commemorative liturgy that reflects summative engagement with and mastery of the subject matter of the course.  The compilation will be evaluated according to the following formula:

 

            Weekly postings                                                                       = 40%

            Three analysis (“exegetical”) papers and peer reviews            = 45%

            An annotated commemorative liturgy                                       = 15%

 

GUIDELINES FOR ENGAGING IN & RUBRICS FOR EVALUATION OF WEEKLY, ON-LINE DISCUSSION

  1. Students are required to post TWO substantive comments every week;
  2. Each posting should be no longer than 250 words;
  3. The first posting (4 points possible) should arrive by the end of the day (5 p.m.) on Monday;
  4. The second posting (4 points possible), which engages other student comments and builds upon and extends your initial contribution, should arrive by the end of the day (5 p.m.) on Thursday;
  5. Please participate in on-line discussions as you would in constructive, face-to-face conversations;
  6. Please be professional and courteous;
  7. On-line communication lacks the non-verbal cues that provide much of the meaning in face-to-face interactions.  Choose your words carefully, and phrase your sentences clearly.  While you will want to keep your sentences and paragraphs brief (see #2 above), a “tweet” is not your aim;
  8. State the main point(s) you are going to take up at or near the beginning of your comment whenever possible; yours are not “rambles” toward an idea;
  9. Proofread what you intend to post.  You may want to use a word processor to draft what you intend to say and then paste your text into the message section of your posting. That way you can be more intentional in your composition, providing you an opportunity to check (and correct) spelling and grammar;
  10. Please do not use all CAPITAL LETTERS.  It makes it hard to read, and it comes across as if you were shouting;
  11. Here’s how I intend to evaluate your weekly, on-line postings:   

 

4 POINTS

 

3 POINTS

 

2 POINTS

 

1 POINT

 

0 POINTS

 

 RUBRICS FOR INSTRUCTOR’S EVALUATION OF EXEGETICAL (ANALYSIS) PAPERS

4 POINTS

 

3 POINTS

 

2 POINTS

 

1 POINT

 

0 POINTS

 

THINGS TO ASK YOURSELF WHEN WRITING A PEER REVIEW

 

RUBRICS FOR THE INSTRUCTOR”S EVALUATION OF PEER REVIEWS

4 POINTS

 

3 POINTS

 

2 POINTS

 

1 POINT

 

0 POINTS

 

 

Policies and Services

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.

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. 

Degree Learning Goals

DateDayDetails
Jan 14, 2014TueThe Episcopal Church in America: Beginnings-1811due by 12:00AM
Jan 17, 2014Fri2nd Post - Beginnings-1811due by 12:00AM
Jan 21, 2014TuePaper I - Worship is not a Spectator Sportdue by 12:00AM
Jan 24, 2014FriPaper I - Peer Reviewdue by 06:59AM
Jan 28, 2014TueOrganization Mattersdue by 06:59AM
Feb 05, 2014WedPaper II: “A voice from the margins”due by 06:59AM
Feb 08, 2014SatPaper II - Peer Reviewdue by 06:59AM
Feb 19, 2014WedPaper III - "Native American Missions"due by 06:59AM
Feb 22, 2014SatPaper III - Peer Reviewdue by 06:59AM
Mar 14, 2014FriAnnotated Liturgydue by 11:00PM