Note:
Course content may be changed, term to term, without
notice. The information below is provided as a guide
for course selection and is not binding in any form,
and should not be used to purchase course materials.
CSTU 310 Course Syllabus
COURSE SYLLABUS
CSTU 310
RELIGION AND THE ARTS IN WESTERN CULTURE
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course explores the web of relationships between religion and the arts throughout the
history of Western culture, from biblical times into the postmodern era. Major topics will
include: the mutual influences of religion and the arts on each other, how philosophers and
theologians have understood the nature of beauty, the place of the visual and performing arts in
contemporary Christian faith and practice, and how the arts are an integral component of a
biblical worldview.
RATIONALE
Historically, the arts have both influenced and been influenced by the prominent religions in
their culture. In particular, ideas about beauty, whether openly stated or quietly assumed, have
shaped the prevailing understanding of the arts in both the Church and Western culture from the
ancient world through the postmodern age. As an integrative studies course, CSTU 310
encourages students from a variety of disciplines to deepen their understanding of the nature of
beauty as grounded in the nature of God and to investigate ways in which Christians can reach
out to the culture through the arts.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
PREREQUISITES
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic
Course Catalog.
REQUIRED RESOURCE PURCHASES
Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are
registered: http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/liberty.htm
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR LEARNING
A.
Computer with basic audio/video output equipment
B.
Internet access (broadband recommended)
C.
Microsoft Office
MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
A.
Analyze significant factors in the relationship between art and religion in the
various eras of Western culture.
B.
Compare major works of religious art in Western culture.
Page 1 of 3
CSTU 310 Course Syllabus
V.
C.
Identify key concepts in the relevant writings of selected theologians and
philosophers.
D.
Evaluate Western art through the lens of a biblical worldview.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
A.
Textbook readings and presentations
B.
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will
complete the related checklist found in Module/Week 1.
C.
Discussion Board Forums (2)
Discussion boards are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is
required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each forum.
Each thread must be 450–500 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge.
In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’
threads. Each reply must be 100–150 words.
D.
Writing Assignments (4)
The student will write 4 papers in current Turabian format focusing on the given
topics. Writing Assignment 1 must be at least 700–800 words. Writing
Assignments 2–4 must be at least 900–1,100 words.
E.
Tests (2)
Each test will cover the Reading & Study material for the assigned
modules/weeks. Each test will be open-book/open-notes, contain 30 multiplechoice and true-false questions and have a 1-hour time limit.
VI.
COURSE GRADING AND POLICIES
A.
Points
Course Requirements Checklist
Discussion Board Forums (2 at 150 pts ea)
Writing Assignments (4 at 100 pts ea)
Tests
(2 at 150 pts ea)
Total
B.
10
300
400
300
1010
Scale
A = 900–1010 B = 800–899 C = 700–799 D = 600–699 F = 0–599
C.
Late Assignment Policy
If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must
contact the instructor immediately by email.
Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the
instructor will receive the following deductions:
Page 2 of 3
CSTU 310 Course Syllabus
1.
Late assignments submitted within one week of the due date will
receive a 10% deduction.
2.
Assignments submitted more than one week late will receive a 20%
deduction.
3.
Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the
course will not be accepted.
4.
Late Discussion Board threads or replies will not be accepted.
Special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, personal health issues) will be
reviewed by the instructor on a case-by-case basis.
D.
Disability Assistance
Students with a documented disability may contact Liberty University Online’s
Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu to
make arrangements for academic accommodations. Further information can be
found at www.liberty.edu/disabilitysupport.
Page 3 of 3
COUR ### Course Schedule
COURSE SCHEDULE
CSTU 310
E-book:
Mills, Religion and the Arts in Western Culture (2014).
Textbooks: Shaeffer, Art and the Bible (2006).
Trier et al., The beauty of God (2007).
MODULE/
WEEK
READING & STUDY
1
Mills: ch. 1
Treier et al: pp. 19–44
2 presentations
2
Mills: ch. 2
Schaeffer: chs. 1–2
1 presentation
3
ASSIGNMENTS
POINTS
Course Requirements Checklist
Class Introductions
Writing Assignment 1
10
0
100
Test 1
150
Mills: ch. 3
2 presentations
Writing Assigment 2
100
4
Mills: ch. 4
1 presentation
1 website
Disucssion Board Forum 1
150
5
Mills: ch. 5
1 presentation
Writing Assignment 3
Attend a Church Service
100
*
6
Mills: ch. 6
2 presentations
Discussion Board Forum 2
150
7
Mills: ch. 7
Treier et al: pp. 184–208
2 presentations
Writing Assignment 4
100
8
Mills: ch. 8
Treier et al.: pp. 209–226
1 presentation
Test 2
150
TOTAL
1010
DB = Discussion Board
*Students must attend a church service prior to Module/Week 6 in preparation for DB Forum 2.
NOTE: Each course module/week (except Module/Week 1) begins on Tuesday morning at 12:00
a.m. (ET) and ends on Monday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final module/week ends at
11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.