My Office:	Casey Bldg, Room 224
Office Phone:	206-296-5321
Email:	schan@seattleu.edu

Core Phase III introduces to us the theme of "Responsibility and Service," and its learning goal is to develop the "ability to deliberate, evaluate, and decide in a way that will lead to a responsible way of action." The central questions of this stage are: What differences can I make? What relevance does my liberal education have to my major field and plans for future work and life? This course seeks to relate to these pertinent questions of our lives in its study of the major themes of Christianity, the most fundamental religious tradition and value heritage of the Western world. This course will continue to enhance our ability of critical thinking, reading, and writing by crafting term papers, reflective reading materials, and critical discussions in the class. The basic questions posed in the Core Phase Three are: What difference can I make? What values are worth pursuing in the future?

Objective of the Course is to introduce the basic themes of Christian faith, to enable the students to acquire the ability to understand the language and concepts of Christian theology, and to develop a critical and appreciative attitude in their understanding of Christian theology. As a course of the Core Phase Three, it is expected that the students will carry on the basic study skills that they have learned in Core Phase Two courses towards a synthesis of one's personal faith through a deeper understanding of the themes of Christian faith outlined in this course. Special emphasis will be put on the analytical and critical reflective ability of the students as demonstrated in class participation and presentation, critical and reflective writings, and exam.

Religious Studies and Belief
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Course Description: TRST 300 is the study of the "origins, continuing relevance, and integrating connections of some of the principal beliefs that shape and sustain Christian living over time: faith, revelation, creation, incarnation, redemption, life in the Spirit. It will also deal with the relation of beliefs to continuing life-evaluations and decisions." (From the Undergraduate Bulletin of Information, Seattle University)

Goal of the Course can be summarized in the rule of three A's: Apprehension, Ability, and Attitude. Apprehension of a basic understanding of the issues of Christian faith; an Ability to think critically and compassionately of Christian beliefs and practices; an Attitude to appreciate the value of theological studies
and to evaluate intelligibly and comprehensively the use and abuse of Christian faith in contemporary world.

Requirements:
1. Attendance and Participation (20%): Full class attendance are expected. If an absence is unavoidable due to medical and family circumstances, notification and explanation should be given prior to, or in special situations, after the absence. More than 4 absences for any reasons will automatically result in dropping one half letter in the total course grade.
2. Quizzes (20%): Short quizzes, each of 30 mins. and close books. The quizzes will consist of multiple choices and short questions that focus on major portions of reading material cover in the class.
3. Term Papers (20%): One short paper (10 pages) will be given on major topics of the course. The paper will be a study on one major Christian doctrine. Special handouts of standard format and grading criteria will be given in class.
4. Midterm (20%):Essay type questions that cover the first half of the course.
5. Final Exams (20%): Essay type questions that cover whole course. There will be in-class review and other assistance provided.

Textbooks of Previous and Present Quarters:
1. KARL BARTH, Church Dogmatics, Vol.1/1: "The Doctrine of the Word of God". T & T Clark.
2. KARL RAHNER, Theologian of the Grace. Fortress.
3. John Stackhouse, Jr, Can God Be Trusted?: Faith and the Challenge of Evil. Oxford University Press; 2000.

Grading is based strictly on merit and no system of quota nor curve will be used. All grades will be quantified and the computation of marks will be distributed in the middle and before the end of the course. Students can measure their achievements and make further effort to improve their performance.

Sophomore standing is required for taking TRST courses in the core curriculum at Seattle University. 300 level TRST courses may be taken for core credit only after the student has successfully completed a 200 level TRST core course.

Transfer Students with 90 credit hours must take one 200 level TRST course at Seattle University in order to fulfil their core requirement in Theology and Religious Studies.

Changes of the Schedule and procedures can be made in the event of extenuating circumstances and the class will be consulted to make the changes together.

Plagiarism is not acceptable in any ways. To borrow other people's ideas or expressions without explicit acknowledgment is unethical and unacceptable conduct of scholarship. It violates the "Academic Honesty Code" in the Student Handbook and will automatically result in a failure for the whole course.

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