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HONG KONG BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
1.
COURSE TITLE
Introduction to Christianity and Civilizations
2.
COURSE CODE
REL 1280
3.
NO. OF UNITS
3
4.
OFFERING DEPARTMENT
Department of Religion and Philosophy
5.
AIMS & OBJECTIVES
(1) To introduce the Christian religion holistically to beginners by exploring the richness
and diversity of the Christian traditions.
(2) To conduct an impartial examination of some multi-faceted impacts, positive and
negative, of Christianity upon the Western and Chinese civilizations.
6.
COURSE DESCRIPTION/ CONTENT
This course is an introductory survey of the vast influences that Christianity has had on
Western as well as Chinese civilizations. Both its successes and failures will be
scrutinized.
Topics to be discussed include higher learning, art, modern science,
politics, society, war, cross-cultural exchange, etc. It also provides an overview of the
major phases of development of Western Christianity.
Outline Content:
I.
Brief Overview of Historical Christianity
a. Early Church
b. Medieval Christianity
c.
d.
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Reformation
Christianity and Modernity
II.
Christianity and Institutions of Learning and Scholarship,
a. monasticism
b. the rise of universities
c. the rise of modern science
III.
Christianity and Art
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a.
visual arts
b.
c.
music
architecture
IV.
Christianity and Violence
a. the Crusades
b. Just War Theory
c. Pacifism
V.
Christianity and Society
a. slavery and anti-slavery
b.
c.
VI.
Christianity and Politics
a. rise of liberal democracy
b. intolerance and tolerance
c. Postures of Domination and Withdrawal
VII.
Christianity and Chinese Civilization
a. Ming-Qing Dynasties Jesuits in China as agents of cultural exchange
b.
c.
VIII.
7.
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role and status of women
Postures of Adaptation and Nonconformity
Spread of Western Civilization in China
Spread of Chinese Civilization in Europe
Christianity and Chinese Society
a. Twentieth century Protestant missionaries as social reformers and as “running
dogs” of imperialism
b. Social role of Christianity in Hong Kong
COURSE INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (CILOS)
CILO No.
By the end of the course, the students should be able to:
CILO 1
Articulate multiple perspectives of the impacts of Christianity on Western
and Chinese civilizations with illustrations.
CILO 2
Analyze and critically evaluate the interactions between Christianity and
philosophy, science, art, politics, economics, warfare, government, and
society.
CILO 3
Provide rational justification for their own views on Christianity, and
respect views different from their own.
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8.
9.
TEACHING & LEARNING ACTIVITIES (TLAS)
CILO No.
TLAs
CILO 1,2
Interactive lectures with PowerPoint to explain concepts, historical
understanding, reasoning and critical assessment
CILO 2,3
Group discussions on readings and lectures so that there will be a deeper
understanding of the various modes of interaction between Christianity
and civilizations
CILO 1,2
Watching relevant documentaries
understanding of the issues involved
to
deepen
their
historical
ASSESSMENT METHODS (AMS)
Type of
Assessment
Weighting
CILOs to be Description of Assessment Tasks
addressed
Quizzes
15%
1
Very short questions and answers to assess
students’ basic knowledge of lectures and
readings.
Tutorial
15%
1-3
active learning
presentations.
Mid-term test
20%
1-2
One-page answers to several questions; a
midway assessment of how well students
in
discussions
and
have achieved their ILOs so as to provide
feedback for teacher and students alike.
Examination
50%
1-3
Long essay answers to comprehensively
assess students’ achievements of all ILOs.
10. TEXTBOOKS / RECOMMENDED READINGS
Bainton, Roland H. Christian Attitudes Toward War and Peace: A Historical Survey and
Critical Re-evaluation. Nashville: Abingdon, 1960.
Carroll, Vincent and David Shiflett. Christiantity on Trial. San Francisco: Encounter
Books, 2002.
Clark, Elizabeth and Herbert Richardson, edited. Women and Religion: A Feminist
Sourcebook of Christian Thoguht. New York: Harper & Row, 1977.
De Borchgrave, Helen. A Journey into Christian Art. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1999.
Dillenberger, John. A Theology of Artistic Sensibilities: Visual Arts and the Church.
London: SCM Press, 1987.
Dupre, Judith. Churches. New York: HarperCollins, 2001.
Fahlbusch, Erwin et al. The Encyclopedia of Christianity. 5 volumes. Grand
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Rapids/Leiden: Eerdmans/Brill, 1999-2008.
Hill, Jonathan. What Has Christianity Ever Done for Us?: How It Shaped the Modern
World. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2005.
Holmes, Arthur F.,edited. War and Christian Ethics: Classic Readings on the Morality of
War. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1975.
Locke, John. A Letter Concerning Toleration. 1689
Locke, John. The Second Treatise of Government (An Essay Concerning the True
Original, Extent, and End of Civil Government), 1689.
Maalouf, Amin. The Crusades Through Arab Eyes. New York: Schoken, 1989.
Madden, Thomas F. The New Concise History of the Crusades. Rowman and
Littlefield, 2005.
Marthaler, Berard, et al. New Catholic Encyclopedia. 2nd edition. 15 volumes. New
York: Thomson Gale, 2003.
Schmidt, Alvin J. Under the Influence: How Christianity Transformed Civilization.
Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001,
Van Huyssteen, J. Wentzel Vrede, edited. Encyclopedia of Science and Religion. 2
volumes. New York: Thomson Gale, 2003.
Varg, Paul A. Missionaries, Chinese, and Diplomats: The American Protestant
Missionary Movement in China, 1890-1952. New York: Octagon Books, 1977.
Weaver, Mary Jo with David Bernhard Brakke and Jason Bivins. Introduction to
Christianity. 3rd edition. Belmont: Wadsworth, 1998.
Wilberforce, William. A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed
Christians, in the Higher and Midddle Classes in this Country, Contrasted with Real
Christianity. 1797.
Wilson-Dickson, Andrew. The Story of Christian Music: From Gregorian Chant to Black
Gospel. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1992.
Woodhead, Linda. An Introduction to Christianity. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press, 2004.
Woods, Thomas E. How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization. Washington,
D. C.: Regnery, 2005.
利馬竇撰，《天主實義》， 1609。
張國剛著，
《從中西初識到禮儀之爭：明清傳教士與中西文化交流》
，北京：人民出版
社，2003。
沈定平著，
《明淸之際中西文化交流史：明代：調適與會通》
，增訂本，北京：商務印
書館，2007。
範毅舜，《走進一座大教堂》，臺北：城邦，2005。
[Revised by Lo PC]
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