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2.362 Sin: The Seven Deadly Sins
Spring 2009
Wednesdays, 8:30-11:30 am
Office Hours: by appointment
Dr. Kristin Johnston Largen
Rationale
In Lutheran theology, sin is a central part of any discussion of human anthropology. It is an unavoidable reality of human existence; it is present in each one of us individually, and it is manifest in every aspect of our relationships, from our most intimate connections with family and friends to our most global connections that occur through economics and politics. It is impossible to understand theologically what it means to be a human being, and live a human life without an understanding of the doctrine of sin. Thus, this course seeks to engender such an understanding, and spark continued theological reflection on this topic through an analysis of what have been called “the seven deadly sins.” Such analysis will include careful consideration both of the specific forms sin takes in a human life, and also the contexts in which sin is identified and located, enabling the students to facilitate faithful and constructive discussions of sin in a variety of 21st century ministry contexts. In this way, this course seeks to address the following outcome for the historical-theological studies division, as stated in the catalogue: “Mastery of the historical-theological studies will enable students to attain a level of proficiency in working with a theological tradition so as to be able to continue to engage new questions and developments in contemporary theological and ethical arenas.”
Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the students should be able to:
1) Analyze and discuss the various ways in which the doctrine of sin has been described in the Western theological tradition
2) Understand and appreciate the importance of context in both defining and describing what constitutes sin in a human being/human community
3) Develop and articulate one’s own theological arguments through clear, sophisticated written and oral communication
4) Integrate the study of theology into one’s own understanding of public ministry
Strategies for achieving course objectives
Students will be expected to meet the following course requirements:
- Required Reading:
The students are expected to read all assigned readings carefully and thoroughly. The assigned reading consists of the following:
ü The Purgatorio, by Dante
ü Confessions, by Augustine
ü Sinning Like a Christian, by William Willimon [hereafter SLC]
ü Free of Charge, by Miroslav Volf
- Class Attendance & Preparation:
Students are expected to attend class regularly, listen to lectures attentively and take notes, and actively engage in both large and small group discussion. Repeated absences will be reflected in the student’s final grade.
In this class, and in this seminary, we respect the rules of inclusivity, as stated in the academic catalog, pages 13-14. Please note that written work that does not conform to these standards will be returned for a re-write; and in the classroom, we will practice referring to both human beings and God in ways that are respectful of personhood and inclusive in terms of gender, race and class.
*A word about laptop computers: The use of a laptop in the classroom is a privilege, not a right, and this privilege can be revoked at any time during the semester by the instructor, if any student is found to be using his/her computer for personal business. Such action is a distraction to the class, and disrespectful both to the instructor and one’s classmates: forewarned is forearmed!
- Class Assignments:
Timely completion of all assignments is expected of all students. Late work
may or may not be accepted, at the instructor’s discretion. A reduction in the
grade should be expected for late work.
a) Theological Reflection Papers
Three times throughout the semester, the students will receive a question that they will answer using the classroom textbooks [and other theological resources as they so choose]. Each question will necessitate a three/four page response. The student will bring these papers to class on the due dates assigned, and will use them as a basis for small group discussions. They will be turned in to the instructor at the end of the class session. Each of these short papers will count 10% toward the final course grade.
b) Sin Project
For this project, the students will be broken down into groups of seven [or more, if necessary]. Each student will be asked to choose a poem/picture/video clip or episode from literature that they feel communicates the complexity and depth of one of the seven deadly sins to a contemporary audience. The students will bring a one-page explanation of their subject, explaining why they chose it, and what elements are present that convey the meaning of their sin. Each student will bring enough copies of his/her subject & explanation for the whole group. The students will share these in small groups, and turn them in at the end of class. At the end of this project, then, each student will have a visual example of each of the seven deadly sins that he/she could use for teaching this material to an adult education or confirmation class. This assignment is worth 20% of the student’s grade.
c) Final Exam
The
final exam will be a take-home exam, distributed to students on the
penultimate day of class. It will be due at the start of the last class
period. The exam will be worth 30% of the student’s grade in the course.
Evidence of the assigned class reading should be readily apparent in your
work!
In lieu of the final exam,
you have three other options [if you are interested in one of these, please
talk to me in the first few weeks of class, so we can set some parameters
for your work]:
a. Write a confirmation or adult education curriculum for teaching the seven deadly sins
b. Write a Lenten sermon series [that’s right, seven sermons] on the seven deadly sins
c. Create an original, artistic portrayal of the seven deadly sins
d) Dialog Review
One of the long-term goals of this course is to inspire interest and enthusiasm for systematic theology that will continue on into the student’s public ministry. One excellent means of developing and sustaining such interest is through the reading of quality theological journals. To that end, one of the course requirements is a short review of any Dialog article from the past five years.
This review should be no more than 2-3 pages, and simply summarize the article read, including the main points of the author, and conclude with a short response by the student. This assignment is due on April 28th, but may be submitted at any point in the semester.
Assessment
1. Theological Reflection papers: 30%
2. Final Exam: 30%
3. Sin Project: 20%
4. Dialog Review: 10%
5. Class attendance & participation: 10%
Course Outline:
January 28th Class Introductions
Review of Syllabus
Introduction to the Doctrine of Sin
February 4rd
Introduction to Dante & the Divine
Comedy, beginning with Hell—begin
discussion of The Purgatorio
The Purgatorio, cantos I-XVIII [up to p. 408]:
The voyage to the mountain, up through Wrath
February 11th Discussion of The Purgatorio, ending in Paradise
The Purgatorio, canto XIX-XXXIII:
Includes Sloth up through the Earthly Paradise
*First Theological Reflection Paper Due
February 18th Introduction to the 7 Deadly Sins, beginning with PRIDE
SLC , introduction, chapters 1 & 2
February 25th PRIDE
SLC, chapter 2
Niebuhr chapter [to be handed out]
Two feminist articles [to be handed out]
March 4th ANGER
SLC, chapter 4
March 11th GLUTTONY
SLC, chapter 7
Confessions, books 1-6
March 18th LUST
SLC, chapter 8
Confessions, books 7-10
*Second theological reflection paper due
March 25th Guest Lecturer:
Dr. Hummel on addictions and sin
April 1st AVARICE
SLC, chapter 6
* Dialog Review Due!!
April 8th ENVY
SLC, chapter 3
April 15th SLOTH
SLC, chapter 5
*Third Theological Reflection Paper Due
April 22nd SPRING CONVOCATION
[class will be held in the chapel]
April 29th From Sin to Repentance & Grace
*Sin Project Due
Free of Charge, Prelude & chapters 1-3
May 6th Forgiveness
*Take-Home Exam Due
Free of Charge, Interlude & chapters 4-6
