http://outsidersinn.wikispaces.com/LociCommunes
Course Description
This course examines common topics in Christian theology, focusing on the Epistle to the Romans, and tracing the development of theology as a discipline from the early church to the contemporary context.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of the course, students will:
 Become familiar with the Epistle to the Romans, its background, and its use in Christian theology
 Be able to articulate the basic doctrines of Christianity
 Creatively engage the question of the definitions of orthodoxy
 and heresy
Understand the development of doctrine and the Creed
 Be able to articulate the history of the development of academic theology from its origin in courses on Romans to systematic and constructive theology
 Understand and evaluate key theological traditions
(denominations)
 Explain and articulate the relationship between biblical studies and theology
 Compare and provide a critique of the major traditions within
Christianity
 Understand the key beliefs of and historical context behind the
Lutheran Confessions, as well as other traditions’ statements of faith
 Develop and articulate their own theological perspectives, including statements of the relationship between faith and reason, the role of narrative i

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Be able to engage contemporary culture from a theological perspective
Identify and evaluate key theological thinkers within Christian theology
Constructively engage the question of theology within pluralistic and postmodern contexts
Texts
This course is designed to integrate secondary source introductory material with primary source readings. Students must read all required selections to succeed.
1. Alister McGrath, Theology: The Basics (Blackwell, 2006).
2. Course pack, including sections from Melanchthon, Loci Communes
(1559) , Ed. and trans. Scott Keith and Jeff Mallinson, sections of
Reformation Confessions, and contemporary articles
3. Bible (NRSV, ESV, NASB or NIV preferred; students with iPhones should consider the free Logos app)
4. An extensive Reserve section will be available n the 4 th floor
Reference library reserve section
Grading
Based on these 100 possible points, students will earn grades according to the following scale:
A 93-100
A- 90-92
B+ 88-89
B 83-87
B- 80-82
C+ 78-79
C 73-77
C- 70-72
D 60-69
F 0-59
Breakdown of weighting (Positive and negative credit are possible but not guaranteed): ii

20%
READING QUIZZES 2 @ 10 points, best of Three recorded
10% Participation/attendance
20% Research paper
20% Comprehensive Exam
10%
Film or cultural artifact theological critique
20% Online Discussion
EC
Attendance and online posting of reflection related to a worship experience (Half Letter grade for passing work)
Reading Quizzes will be almost exclusively objective questions used to ensure students read the material and have basic comprehension when they come to class. Students who come late and miss the quiz cannot make up the points apart from the extra credit option described below.
The Exam will involve questions similar to those already seen in the reading quizzes, additional material from the final lectures, and several short essays. They will test student knowledge of the lectures and the readings. Note that even where there is no lecture on a topic found in the readings, that material is still important for the exam.
Guest lectures are also fair game. Students will take this exam home with them, and may use reading and notes, or even the Internet, but must note sources for essays.
Research paper
Reflect on a concrete tradition in at least ten double-spaced, 12 pt. font pages. You may choose the style guide you are most comfortable using, but you must stick to it religiously.
Turabian,
SBL, or APA styles are recommended. Dr. Kim will be available to help consult on papers, as they relate to the book of romans and
Pauline research
Choose a theme (or Locus) found in Romans. Recommended Topics include
 Faith and Science (Romans 1)
 Human Sexuality (Romans 1)
 The doctrine of Justification (Romans 5)
 Atonement theories (Romans 5) iii

 Christian Liberty (Romans 6-7, 14-15)
 Embodiment (Romans 8)
 Relationship between Christianity and Judaism (Romans 9-
11)
 Predestination and Election (Romans 9-11)
 Faith and Politics (Romans 13)
 New Pauline scholarship (everything)
 The Finnish interpretation of Luther as it relates to soteriology (Everything)
Other theological themes are welcome, but must emerge from a discussion of a text in Romans, at least as a key starting point.
Paper sections should include the following:
 Introduction, with strong thesis statement
 Brief historical overview of the theological topic
 In depth engagement with a biblical text, using at least three biblical commentary sources
 Description and Evaluation of Thinkers in history who addressed the topic. Most theological writing has a biblical index to help refer to the romans passages you will be discussing.
 Personal engagement and Conclusion
 At least 10 quality references and no less than 400 pages of research reading.
Online Work
Several resources will be available though posting on our wiki Site.
You may submit your work via email to ensure its date of submission is recorded. Electronic submission is preferred since it allows markup and comment on your original document without killing trees.
If you have trouble viewing the “track changes” of MS Word or Mac
Pages (both are acceptable formats), please let me know early on and you will get a short tutorial.
Students must contribute at least 9 thoughtful and content-driven discussion posts per week. Posts should be a paragraph or two, not long essays or diatribes. One exception to this is that film reflection or church field reports will be longer (see below).
Students must respond to at least one peer post and contribute at least one post. Posts will be graded for content, professionalism, and quality of writing, so don’t write as if this is a casual blog.
NOTE: Students who wish to meet for discussion at Zippy’s coffee from 9-10:30 AM each Friday in June only have to post twice (once a iv

new post; once a response to a peer). Discussions are informal but will involve themes discovered in the reading.
Film or Cultural Artifact Reflection
Students must watch a film, attend a performance, visit an art museum, or otherwise experience a cultural creation. Following this, create a two pages or longer reflection paper. The paper must involve 1) a brief description of the artifact 2) a discussion of the “theology” conveyed (intentionally or not) by the artifact 3) a theological critique from the student’s own theological perspective, drawing from at least two class texts or lecture conversations.
Post your response to the online forum for peers to enjoy. Your grade will not be posted publicly, nor will instructor comments.
Extra credit option
Students may earn a half-letter grade extra credit increase to their final grade by attending a worship service that represents a tradition with which they are not familiar. Be sure to contact the church ahead of time so the clergy know to expect you and will be able to meet with you to discuss their tradition, if possible. You may wish to consider Roman Catholic, Eastern
Orthodox, Ethiopian, or
Pentecostal services if they are unfamiliar. You may also wish to attend an “Emergent” church if you have not done so already. After attending, jot down notes for your project to keep your thoughts fresh. Then write a three page or longer paper involving these sections: 1) a basic account of your experience, 2) basic background research on the tradition involved,
3) ways in which the experience reflected what your research showed,
4) ways in which your experience challenged your reading and expectations, 5) aspects of the worship space that reflect their theological commitments 6) positive and negative evaluations of the overall experience and the theology reflected in their worship.
Post your reflections to the online forum for the enjoyment of your peers.
Late Assignments
Any assignment that is turned in late will receive a 20% grade reduction. However, after that, it may be submitted any time until midnight of the final day of the term with no additional deduction. v

Plagiarism and Dishonesty
There is a climate of intellectual honesty and integrity expected of all students and faculty members of Trinity Lutheran College; this includes avoiding all forms of plagiarism. Plagiarism is defined as taking someone else’s words, ideas, or projects and claiming them as your own unique words, ideas, or projects. Other forms of dishonesty, whereby a student gains unfair advantage over other students will be met with severe academic discipline. If you have questions about what constitutes academic dishonesty or plagiarism, ask immediately
Attendance
Students who miss more than one in seat session will receive an administrative withdrawal or failing grade, depending on the circumstances. Students who have pre-arranged to be absent for one session will have the opportunity to obtain video or audio recording of our session.
Special Accommodations
If you are a student who needs academic accommodations because of a documented disability you should contact me and present your letter of accommodation as soon as possible, by contacting the Dean of
Students. You do need a letter of accommodation to receive appropriate adjustments in class. Letters of accommodations should be presented at the start of the semester to ensure provision of accommodations. Accommodations cannot be granted retroactively.
Background to Loci Communes
Early Protestant academic courses in theology often began with
Romans as a starting point, but allowed excurses on important topics, also called or loci communes to help inform the teaching and practice of the church. This course will both engage Romans and also the history and development of theology that flowed from it.
With Romans as a centerpiece, this course will examine classic texts, including the Apostle Creed, Melanchthon’s Loci Communes, and the Augsburg Confession, as well as a recent text in theology, chosen by the instructor each term. Students taking the course will also engage in a research project that involves the history of biblical interpretation and allows students to gain understanding of several traditions within Christianity, as they research various interpretations of a passage from Romans that is of interest to the student.
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Unit/Date Topics and Activities Assignments Due/Activities
Session 1 Prayer; Introduction to the Syllabus and
Peruse materials
June 7 course
Comparing Creeds
“Introduction to
Romans and its theology”
READER: Group Examination of
Creed, NAE statement, ELCA statement
Dr. Kim presents
Session 2
Lunch
“Introduction to
Theology”
“Faith, Philosophy,
Science”
Devotion and prayer
Dr. Mallinson presents
Dr. Mallinson presents
June 14
Reading Quiz &
Subsequent discussion
McGrath Chapters: preface,
Apostle’s Creed, Getting Started,
Faith, God, Creation
Romans Chapters: 1-8
Session 3
“Doctrine of God, the role of Metaphor,
Gender”
Lunch
“Christ, Soteriology and Recapitulation”
Last Temptation Video
Clip on Paul and Jesus
Devotion and Prayer
Reader: Melanchthon, On God and
Creation
Dr. Mallinson presents
Dr. Mallinson presents
June 21
Reading Quiz and
Subsequent Discussion
McGrath Chapters: Jesus,
Salvation, Trinity
Romans Chapters: 9-11
Reader/online link: Melanchthon,
On Grace and Justification;
Confessions on Justification;
Mallinson and Keith on
Predestination (online link) vii

“The Interpretation and Theology of Romans
9-11”
Lunch
Dr. Kim Presents
“The Interpretation and Theology of Romans
9-11” Continued
“Trinitarian theology, and how it affects our understanding of the
Bible”
Session 4 Prayer
Dr. Kim Presents
Dr. Mallinson Presents
June 28
Quiz and Discussion Romans Chapters: 12-16
McGrath Chapters: Church,
Sacraments, Heaven, Moving On
“Church and
Sacraments”
“theology of the Cross v. Theology of Glory &
Political Theology”
Lunch
Reader: Augsburg Confession
Articles VII-XV (Online);
Mallinson, “A Potion Too Strong”
(Online link)
Dr. Mallinson presents
Dr. Mallinson presents
Distance work
“Heaven and the Scope of Salvation”
“Culture and eucatastrophe”
“Postmodernity and
Theology
Take home Exam
All Online Posts
Dr. Mallinson presents
Dr. Mallinson presents
Dr. Mallinson presents
Due in Mallinson’s email inbox by
July 5
Due by: July 10
Film Reflection Posted Due by July 25
Last day to turn in EC August 1
Paper Due; no further work of any kind accepted after
August 5 viii

midnight ix

Mechanics
Organization
Sources
0 Insufficient 1 Sufficient 2Excellent poor documentation style, misspellings, poor syntax no thesis, no logical arguments, no discernible unity, poor focus, no conclusion or a conclusion not supported by the body non-scholarly sources or no sources mentioned/cited, writer demonstrates knowledge of the sources documentation is generally good with only a few errors, occasional misspelling, some awkward sentences or grammatical errors thesis exists though some paragraphs may not support thesis or flow logically from it, critical thinking is present, a basic unity to the paper is discernible, conclusion exists but may introduce ideas not supported in the body sources for ideas are appropriate, understood by the writer, sources may be scholarly but not the best for the subject virtually flawless mechanically thesis is well supported with critical thinking, logical arguments, unity, focus, and a conclusion based on support in previous paragraphs
Topic coverage written work does not address the assignment/topic at hand
Engagement may state basic information but demonstrates no higher order engagement with text topic is addressed but not with extensive understanding engages with the material and applies some personal knowledge, may bring in issues of faith and ethics when appropriate sources for ideas are the best for the subject, sources are cited and integrated into the text with evidence that the writer understands the sources well and can apply them critically demonstrates an expert understanding of the topic and major questions involved engages with the material/subject and makes critical judgments, applies previous knowledge to solve problems, integrates faith and academic discourse, applies personal ethics
TOTAL:
Score x