IST2088-1OL-FA14 - Christology

Instructor: Dr. Edward P. Antonio
E-mail: eantonio@iliff.edu

Tel: 303-765-3163

Books for the Course

1. Roger Haight, Jesus: Symbol of God . New York: Orbis Books, 1999.
2. Jose Miguel Bonino (ed). Faces of Jesus: Latin American Christologies. New York: Orbis Books, 1984.
3. Robert J. Schreiter, Faces of Jesus in Africa. New York: Orbis Books, 1991.
4. Jaroslav Pelikan, Jesus Through the Centuries: His Place in the History of Culture. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1985.
5. Tyron Inbody, The Many Faces of Christology . Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2002.
6. R.S.  Sugirtharajah, (ed) Asian Faces of Jesus. New York: Orbis Books, 1993.
7. Elizabeth Schüssler-Fiorenza, Jesus: Miriam’s Child, Sophia's Prophet. New York: Continuum,1999.

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

Course Description

In this we examine the identity and meaning of Jesus Christ overtime. The course explores the  emergence and development of different images and figures of Jesus Christ in different historical and cultural contexts. It shows that the meaning of Jesus Christ has always been dynamic, open,  fluid, yet powerful, influential and transformative. Students will explore contemporary social, political, cultural and  theological representations of Jesus Christ within the context of a multicultural and pluralistic world.  Among the questions examined in the course are the following: 1) What can we know about Jesus Christ?; 2) What are the traditional claims of Christology?; 3)  What  are the theological, cultural and political conditions which have given rise to these claims and to the representations they embody?; and, 4) how has the  modern world responded and reacted to them?

Objectives

• To explore selected themes and representations  in traditional and modern understandings of the person and work of Christ from  western and  non- Western perspectives.
• To investigate the different ways in which conceptions of Jesus Christ are socially, politically, culturally  and theologically constructed.
• To introduce you to a variety of contemporary methods and models of Christological reflection.
• To inquire into the ramifications of a pluralistic and multicultural world for the

Class Participation

• Active participation in all class activities - see Class Participation and Discussion Guidelines for more details.
• A term paper of not less than 5 and not more than 10 typed doubled spaced pages on a topic of your choice as described in the Final Paper assignment.
• You are required to do all the assigned weekly readings which will serve as the basis for class discussions.
• Sign up for and facilitate one Masks of Jesus discussion during the quarter.

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.