David E. Henderson and Frank Kirkpatrick, Constantine and the Council of Nicaea 325 C.E. // Defining Orthodoxy and Heresy in Christianity [Reacting to the Past GameBook].
Bart Ehrman, Lost Christianities: The Battles for Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew (Oxford UP, 2005).
Bart Ehrman, Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why (HarperOne 2007).
IMPORTANT WEBSITES
The Catholic Encyclopedia online (1917 version)
CLASS MEETINGS: MW 3:00-3:50 in Hagg-Sauer 112
Please note that players will be required to meet several times with the Instructor/Game Master. Please do not forego these meetings.
GRADES
Students' grades will be determined on the basis of three criteria:
| Examination (February 19) | 25% |
| Game Writing Assignments | 45% |
| Participation / Character-Representation | 30% |
READINGS & TOPICS SCHEDULE
Week I: January 13, 15
Readings: Bart Ehrman, Misquoting Jesus; Handout 1: Chronology: Roman Persecution
Topics: Course Introduction:
Week II: January 22
Readings: Handout 2: Constantine's Career (to 325)
January 20: MLK Day - No Classes
Topics:
Week III: January 27, 29
Readings: Bart Ehrman, Lost Christianities; Handout 2: Ebionites
Topics:
Week IV: February 3, 5
Readings: Handout 3: The Christian Canon; Handout 4: Gnosticism
Topics:
Week V: February 10, 12
Readings: Handout 5: Arianism; Handout 6: Other conflicts
Topics:
Week VI: February 17, 19
Readings: As Above
Topics:
February 19: Examination
Week VII: February 24, 26
Readings: None Additional
Topics: Interviews, Roles Distributed & Faction Meetings (Feb. 26)
Week VIII: March 3, 5
Readings: By this point, players need to understand their role-sheets very well.
Topics: REACTING GAME Session #1
Week IX: March 17, 19
Topics: REACTING GAME Session #2
Week X: March 24, 26
Topics: REACTING GAME Session #3
Week XI: March 31, April 2
Topics: REACTING GAME Session #4
Week XII: April 7, 11
Topics: REACTING GAME Session #5
Week XIII: April 14, 16
Topics: REACTING GAME Session #6
Week XIV: April 21, 23
Topics: REACTING GAME Session #7
Week XV: April 28, 30
Topics: REACTING GAME Session #8
FINAL EXAM PERIOD: TBA: Post-Mortem: Reacting to the Past as a Learning Experience
COURSE GOALS
Students who take and pass this course will gain (or at least demonstrate)
ACADEMIC POLICIES
1. DECORUM
I expect class to proceed in an atmosphere of mutual respect and decorum. Carrying on private conversations, reading newspapers, and eating during class are distracting and disrespectful to your fellow-students and to me and violate decorum. If I notice students engaging in such behaviors, I will take this in consideration and may take action as needed.
2. PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELL-PHONES, PAGERS, TEXT-MESSENGERS, & AUDIO/VIDEO DEVICES BEFORE CLASS BEGINS. STUDENTS DISCOVERED USING ANY OF THESE DEVICES WHILE CLASS IS IN SESSION WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO LEAVE THE CLASS THAT DAY.
3. USE OF NOTES
Students are encouraged to take notes during class and while reading the text(s) and any other assigned materials. For examinations (but NOT quizzes), students may consult any notes they themselves have taken on the readings and during class meetings. Because of the growing mass of material, bad and good, available on the Internet, no printed, word-processed, or photocopied materials may be used during examinations without permission from me.
4. REWRITING PAPERS
Revised/rewritten papers may be submitted for a (hopefully) improved grade. Papers must be submitted WITH THE GRADED ORIGINAL by the last class-meeting day (not during the final-exam period).
5. PLAGIARY
Plagiary is academic fraud. It is a serious academic offense that is not acceptable. Plagiarized papers will be graded F=0. Additional penalties are possible. Consult the BSU Student Handbook for more information.
6. EXTRA CREDIT??
I do not believe in giving extra credit for things that are not strictly part of the course.
7. SPECIAL RULES
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A. Quod principi (id est, mihi) placuit, legis habet vigorem.
B. Princeps (id est, ego) legibus solutus est (sum).
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ENTERPRISES: par in parem imperium non habet.