PSYCHOLOGY

INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Steven A. Gerig
9749 Hess Mill Rd. NE
Bolivar, OH 44612
330-874-3104 (Office)
330-437-1169 (Home)
Email: spgerig@msn.com

COURSE SITE
Greater Ohio District Ministry Center
457 Darby Creek Drive
Galloway , OH 43119

COURSE DATES AND TIMES
March 1, 8, 15, 2008
9:00am-12:00 noon, 1:00pm-4:00pm

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The field of Christian doctrine will be studied in this course. It is a study in basic beliefs and why we believe as we do. The course surveys the general field of theology. Later courses go into more detail on various doctrines.

COURSE TEXTBOOKS
Purkiser, WT Exploring Our Christian Faith Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press Revised Edition, 1978
Grenz, Stanley J. & Olson, Roger E. Who Needs Theology? An Invitation to the Study Of God Downer's Grove, IL: IVP 1996

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING
1. Both texts should be read by the conclusion of the course. Who Needs Theology? need be read in time for our first session on March 1. Reading both texts counts 20% toward your final grade.

2. Class Participation {20% of grade}

a. Read the two textbooks, preferably before class
b. Present chapters of our Purkiser textbook in class-time will be given to prepare in class
c. Class involvement: asking questions, offering insights, grasp of material
d. If you are unable to attend all sessions, extra work will be assigned

3. Three assigned papers {20% of final grade}

-Four to six pages in length
-Typewritten, 12 point font size, with spelling and grammar checked
-Choose any theological topic in the textbooks. Notify me of your topic. You can use outside sources to agree or disagree with the author
-Papers due one month after class {Saturday, April 12, 2008}
-Mail or e-mail papers to: Dr. Steven A. Gerig {address above}

4. In your presentations, strive to put the information in your OWN words. This demonstrates your level of understanding of the material, and will ensure a basic level of understanding. One cannot effectively communicate what one does not understand.

CLASS FORMAT
The class will consist of a combination of lecture and student-led presentation of chapters and discussion. Class time is 9:00-4:00 each Saturday, including one hour for lunch and periodic breaks.

COURSE OUTLINE
Instructor will summarize Who Needs Theology? in the first morning, followed by a discussion of the theories of the book.

Students will pick chapters of Exploring Our Christian Faith to present in class, following a prepared outline on the afternoon of the first Saturday, and the two remaining Saturdays.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
To be shared at our third session together.