The Great Debates
Making
History Come Alive
Each term in my History and Development of Modern Christian Thought course, I give students the opportunity to step into the skin of major figures from Christian history, from Luther to Aimee Semple McPherson. Below you will find their handout describing the assignment in detail.
Guidelines for the Great
Debates
Making
History Come Alive….
Debate Dates: Weeks 4 & 14
Goal
of the Debates:
In this dramatic exercise you will have the opportunity to demonstrate how well you have been able to absorb the history and theological ideas we have studied. You will research one figure thoroughly in order to personify and debate issues as that person. For one hour, you will be that person. Prof. Solano will step in and moderate the debate if necessary. The audience will also be able to ask your character questions at the end. This will be both a creative and intellectual challenge and a fun historical exercise! The first debate engages Reformation era figures from the 15th-16th centuries who debate the central issues of the day. The second debate gathers together a variety of 20th century figures: from Pentecostal preachers to a Gen X Baptist to Pope John Paul II to discuss issues such as politics, war, feminism, racism, etc. You may also build on this research and us the same figure for your 5 page research paper due Wk.8.
Value: This involves some extra biographical research, however the heart of the exercise lies in your oral presentation of your knowledge. Participating in a Great Debate takes the place of leading a discussion and writing a critical response paper. The assignment is worth up to 20 points/ 20% of your grade.
Preparation:
VIP: exchange contact info with your fellow debaters. Enroll on Blackboard site.
¨
You
should thoroughly read the select readings of your character in both the
textbook and the course reader (if
applicable). Memorize their arguments,
tear apart the text.
¨
Research
their biographical history. Prepare a short
synopsis.
¨
Prepare
an opening statement relating their life story, education, personal
relationships, training, major life
turning points or moments of epiphany.
Where are they coming from? What
biases are clear? What was their
context? Are they part of a larger
movement or school of thought? What was
their burning passion or major life struggle?
¨
Practice
this opening statement: it
should be 3-4 minutes long.
This is your moment in the spotlight.
The rest of the time will be an dialogue among characters.
¨
Prepare
some note cards to aid you in the debate.
Bullets work well for glancing
& gleaning information. You
may refer to these notes, but don’t read verbatim from them.
¨
Also
prepare a 2 minute closing
statement. It should leave your audience with a sense
of the heart of your figure: a
synopsis of their mission and mind. If
possible, include what you learned from other thinkers in the debate.
¨
Prepare 2 page handout for classmates that lists your figure’s dates, important writings, and main points.
Grading: Project worth up to 20 points
You will be graded
by your classmates and your instructor in the following
areas:
v
How
well prepared were you? Did you often
stumble over answers or were you
prepared to respond in a
reasonable manner based on your reading?
v
How
articulate were you?
v
How
well did you respond to others engaged in the debate: did you come up with
interesting queries for
fellow panelists?
v
How
“in-character” were you throughout the presentation? Did you ever break
character?
v
How
did you respond to the major themes of the debate? Could you respond well
to all of the listed questions as well as those that emerged during the
discussion?
v
Did
you demonstrate intellectual, theological, and sociological acumen?
v
Were
you able to make creative leaps and hypothesize in character?
v
Did
you communicate the heart and passion of your character?
v
Did
you add any creative twists, such as anecdotes, props, or a costume?
v
How helpful, polished and detailed was the
handout on the figure?
Your panel of
debaters should meet at least
once to practice your
debate—preferably one week before your debate.
Mark your calendars by WEEK 2.
How you organize the
debate is up to you, however be sure to leave time for Q & A from the
audience.
If you thoroughly
prepare, this will be an educational experience you will never forget! Most importantly, it is an opportunity to get
to know one figure intimately and thereby grasp a bit of the passion of the
period.
Great Debate I:
Reformation Figures
Invited Esteemed
Participants:
Protestant Reformers: Martin Luther, John Calvin, Huldreich Zwingli, Menno Simons
Catholic Reformers: Desiderius
Erasmus, John Eck, Savonarela, Ignatius of Loyola
Note: If there is an important figure not listed
here that you really want to play, ask me about it and we’ll see if the
character will work.
In
character, you should be able to
respond to the following Reformation themes/issues:
1.) Human Nature
2.) The Role of Scripture and Tradition in relation to Authority
3.) Salvation
4.) Good Works
5.) Justification
Additional Questions
for Reformation Figures
v How would you describe your theological method?
What are your sources & norms?
v What is the core message of Christianity for you?
v What other methods/areas of study should theologians be open to?
v What sort of issues keep you up at night?
v What is your concept of God? Who is God for you?
v What topics are you currently concerned with? Writing any new books?
v What has been your greatest struggle? Greatest triumph?
v Have you been influenced and /or infuriated by any of your fellow participants’ work?
v Are you saved?
v What do you think is at the heart of the struggle between Catholics and Protestants?
The Great Debate II: 20th
Century Figures Debate the Signs of the Times
Invited
Esteemed Guests:
1.
Dorothy Day
2.
Martin Luther King
3.
Oscar Romero
4.
Aimee Semple
McPherson
5.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
6.
Desmund Tutu
7.
William Seymour
8.
Any Feminist Theologian (ask
professor for suggestions)
9.
Any Liberation Theologian
(ask professor for suggestions)
10. John Paul II
11. Erwin Raphael McManus
12. John XXIII
Note: If there is an important figure not listed
here that you really want to play, ask me about it and we’ll see if the
character will work. I am very open for
there are many worthy characters.
This debate brings
together a variety of different types of Christians: from very conservative figures to
liberals. They have all been pioneers of
sorts and all have taken strong stands on social issues in the 20th
century.
You should be able
to respond to the following issues in character:
I. Spirituality
v
Who is God for you?
v
Where you born and raised a Christian?
v
What was the turning point for you in your
spiritual journey?
v
How would you define Christianity in a nutshell?
II. Politics
v Is Christianity innately political?
v Was Jesus countercultural?
v Do Christians have a civic responsibility? Do theologians?
v How would you describe yourself politically?
v
Where do you stand on the possibility of War
with
v Are you a pacifist? Should all Christians be pacifists or can there be a
“Just War”?
III. Movements and
Issues
v
Are you part of a theological/ religious
movement? If so, be able to succinctly describe
this movement.
v
How important is your particular denominational
tradition to you?
v
What do you think about ecumenism?
v
What do you think about feminist theology in
particular and women place within the church and family?
v
What do “civil rights” mean to you ?
v
Any thoughts on racism both within and without
the Church?
v
What do you think about Pentecostalism?
And Finally,
v
Do you agree or disagree with Jenkins’ vision
for the future of Christianity on this planet?
v
What do you see as the greatest challenge for
Christianity in the 21st Century?
If your figure is a bit obscure, I can help you with primary materials you might not be able to find elsewhere. I am here to help you prepare. Good luck!
Please email me if you have any questions as you prepare. jsolano@fullerton.edu
