Northeastern State University

College of Liberal Arts

Course Syllabus for REL 3103: Early Christian Heresies

Spring Semester 2008

 

Instructor: Gary Cheatham

Office: L307

Phone: 918.444.3265

cheatham@nsuok.edu

http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~cheatham/

Class Days and Times

 

Class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in FA 302. 

 

Course Description

 

This course will study the phenomenon of heresy by focusing on the struggle between “heresy” and “orthodoxy” in early Christianity.  Students will be introduced to the basic development of the New Testament canon, Christian orthodoxy, major Christian heresies, and some of the early heretical texts.  In addition, the course will look at examples of how some “heretical” teachings have continued to play a role in historical and contemporary Christian traditions.

 

Expected Course Outcomes

 

Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

 

  1. Identify the names and basic tenets of major early Christian heresies, heretical groups, and leaders.
  2. Identify selected heretical texts, and demonstrate a basic understanding of the discovery and authentication of this source material.
  3. Develop a working knowledge of the tenets of early Christian orthodoxy.
  4. Have an understanding of how orthodoxy and the current New Testament canon became dominant.
  5. Recognize examples of early heretical teachings and beliefs.

 

Required Texts

Bart D. Ehrman, Lost Christianities: The Battles for Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew.  New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.

 

Richard Valantasis, Gnosticism and Other Vanished Christianities.  New York: Three Leaves Press, 2006.

 

Assignments, Final Exam, and Grading

 

Note regarding the reading assignments:

Instructions and due dates for the reading assignments will be distributed in class.  The reading assignments should be submitted to the instructor no later than the due date, and will be accepted typed on paper, or as a Word or WordPerfect file attachment to an e-mail.  Any assignments that are received late will be subject to a one point per day penalty, unless there is a compelling reason for the assignment being turned in late.

 

Note regarding the final exam:

The final exam will be administered according to the final exam schedule.  The final will be an open note exam (not open book), and will be based on class lectures and discussions, class video presentations, and assigned readings.  As a result, students are encouraged to take notes during class and when completing the assigned readings.

 

Points possible:

Da Vinci Code assignment valued at 10 points.

Three reading assignments valued at 15 points each.

One reading assignment valued at 20 points.

Final exam valued at 25 points.

Total: 100 points

 

Grading system:

The course grade is determined by totaling the number of points that have been accumulated.

A 90-100 points

B 80-89 points

C 70-79 points

D 60-69 points

F 0-59 points

 

The only reason for making a poor grade in the course is the failure to adequately complete the graded assignments, and the failure to take adequate notes during class and when completing the assigned readings in preparation for the final exam.  Under certain circumstances, exceptions may be made to the above policies.  If you have any questions or problems, please let the instructor know as soon as possible.

 

Office Hours


Tuesday, 9-10 a.m. (reference desk)

Wednesday, 9-12 a.m. (reference desk)

The instructor is available other times by appointment, and is generally available in the Library during the daytime (Monday-Friday).

ADA Compliance

If any member of the class feels that he/she has a disability and needs special accommodations, that class member should advise the instructor of such disability at the first class attended.

Inclement Weather and Disaster Policy

The following are basic premises for the inclement weather policy at Northeastern State University:

1. Classes are expected to be held if at all possible.

2. It is the student's responsibility to receive the information when weather is questionable.

3. Neither students nor faculty are expected to risk life or limb.

4. Faculty members are obligated to hold classes if the University is not closed, unless the faculty member is unable to get to campus.

During times of inclement weather, decisions concerning day classes will be made by 6:00 a.m. in order for the media to be notified and for students to receive the announcement before they leave home. Decisions concerning night classes will be made by 3:00 p.m.  The automated attendant message at (918) 456-5511 will be modified to include information concerning campus operations during inclement weather.