Resident · School of Divinity · Theological Studies

Apologetics and Cultural Engagement

APOL-201

Spring 2021 Section 002 01/18/2021 to 05/14/2021 Modified 01/26/2021  Meeting Times

Lecture

All Semester

Tuesday, Thursday, 2:15 PM to 3:30 PM, School of Divinity 1510

 Contact Information

Professor: Dr. Mark D. Allen

Email: mdallen5@liberty.edu

Office: Center for Apologetics and Cultural Engagement, Freedom Tower, Rm 2900 Website: https://www.liberty.edu/ace/ (https://www.liberty.edu/ace/)

Office Hours

By Appointments Only Freedom Tower, Rm 2900

Teaching Assistant: Bukky Adebayo

Email: aadebayo4@liberty.edu

Office: Center for Apologetics and Cultural Engagement, Freedom Tower, Rm 2900

Office Hours

Hour following class Freedom Tower, Rm 2900

 Course Description

 This course equips students to use apologetics to engage with the culture using the various current issues of the day as entry points to the Gospel. Students will be trained to think critically from a biblical worldview and engage winsomely on such issues as evil in the world, critical claims about Jesus in the popular culture, new atheism, race issues, and sexuality.

Requisites

RLGN 105

 Rationale

This course reflects the philosophy, principles, and paradigms of foundational elements and skills necessary to engage current trends in western culture. This course provides students, who will be entering a wide range of careers paths, the ability to analyze both current trends and popular arguments and then apply biblical principles to engage the culture.

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 Course Learning Outcomes

Measurable terms - The student will be able to…

1. Analyze current events and cultural trends from a biblical perspective.

2. Recognize flaws and inconsistencies in popular secular arguments.

3. Defend the historic Christian faith in the public square.

4. Apply a biblical worldview to engage winsomely and to affect various aspects of the surrounding culture.

5. Engage local, national and global structures as an informed follower of Christ.

GENERAL EDUCATION FOUNDATIONAL SKILL LEARNING OUTCOMES

Civic and Global Engagement 1: Identify the main features of a worldview, assessing the cultural, political, economic, and industrial implications.

Civic and Global Engagement 2: Relate government and/or culture to various aspects of life.

Civic and Global Engagement 3: Apply the Christian principles and general practices for effectively engaging people from different social and/or cultural backgrounds.

Civic and Global Engagement 5: Relate the human experience within various civic and global structures to participation in the redemptive work of God.

Critical Thinking 1: Determine the validity and logical consistency of claims and/or positions, using reading comprehension strategies when relevant.

Critical Thinking 2: Structure an argument or position using credible evidence and valid reasoning.

Critical Thinking 3: Compare and contrast the biblical worldview with a non-biblical worldview, evaluating the influence of assumptions and contexts on ethics and values.

Technological Solutions and Quantitative Reasoning 3: Apply the skills needed for successful financial stewardship in various contexts.

Communication and Information Literacy 1: Discover and evaluate information to accomplish a specific purpose. Communication and Information Literacy 2: Communicate information effectively in the English language, orally and/or through writing, for a variety of purposes, using technology when appropriate.

Communication and Information Literacy 3: Analyze and assess various forms of information and expression to determine their meaning, employing technology when relevant

Communication and Information Literacy 4: Demonstrate a basic understanding of the role of research and scholarship in order to apply it in various contexts.

 Course Resources

Cultural Engagement: A Crash Course in Contemporary Issues

Author: Joshua D. Chatraw and Karen Sallow Prior Publisher: Zondervan

ISBN: 9780310534570

*Please note that just because a book or article is assigned in this class, this does not imply that I, as the professor, agree with all (or even most) of what is being written. The nature of this class necessitates that you will read views by both non-Christians and by Christians that you disagree with. At times, the readings will likely even be critical of some of your views. Their tones and their arguments might at times frustrate you. One of the purposes of this class is to learn how to think critically and engage with people who think differently (which will also mean some of your classmates), while treating them with respect and love, even when you are provoked. This is the way of Christ and his followers (see for example, Acts 17:16-34, 1 Peter 3:15-16, Matthew 5:43-48).

Mead Composition Book

You will need one Mead Composition Book 100 sheets/200pages or another notebook of comparable size.

 Course Assignments

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Weekly Reading Quizzes

Students will take Ten (10) open-note reading quizzes throughout the course. It is highly recommended that the student take notes in their Mead notebook on each of the readings, books and articles. While these notes will not be graded, they are the only material that may be used for each open-note quiz. While there is certainly a recommended note-taking format, the student may take notes in whatever way they feel best equips them. 1. Reading Notes: The following is the recommended format for note- taking, and is the framework from which quizzes are built:

1. What is the author’s thesis and main points?

2. What examples or explanations does the author give for his stance?

3. How does this perspective fit into the rest of the course material?

4. What questions does this chapter raise that could be explored further?

These questions are meant to give you an idea of the type of interaction that is expected, but reflections are not limited to these questions. You are free to prepare in any manner that they see fit.

2. Reading: The student is required to do the assigned reading by the class period the assignment is posted on. On each quiz is a question in which you are to indicate whether you have read the assignment in its entirety. Your ability to answer this question in the affirmative constitutes 40% of your quiz grade.

3. If you miss a quiz, you have one week from the date of the missed quiz to make it up or get a zero grade on the quiz

Exams

There will be two exams in this class. Fulfills CLO A,B,C, D and E and aligns with FSLO Civic and Global Engagement 1 and Critical Thinking 3

Paper: Financial Literacy Paper

Discuss differences between a secular and Christian view of wealth and money discuss practical ways in which their view and use of money in their personal life can have an apologetic value. Students will interact with the provided resources as they engage with the assignment. The paper should be 1 pg in length and should follow the Turabian Style guide. Fulfills CLO A, B, C, and D and aligns with FSLO Civic and Global Engagement 2, Critical Thinking 3 and Technological Solutions and Quantitative Reasoning 3.

Paper: Global and Civic Engagement Paper

Student will be required to write a paper (minimum of 4 pages) identifying the main features of a worldview, assessing the cultural, political, economic and industrial implications of the worldview and then show how Christian principles can be applied to effectively engage people from different socio-cultural backgrounds. In this paper, the student will also show how human experience within various civic and global structures participate in the redemptive work of God. If writing a paper, it should follow the Turabian format. Fulfills CLO D and E and aligns with FSLO Civic and Global Engagement 1, 3 and 5; Critical Thinking 1, 2 and 3; Communication and Information Literacy 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Paper: Engagement Paper

In this paper, the student will choose a current event and engage it as if the paper was going to be submitted for a current publication. Students need to name the topic and the publication that the article would hypothetically be submitted to. The paper should be between 1,200-1,500 words and should follow the Turabian style guide. Fulfills CLO A,B,C, and D and aligns with FSLO Civic and Global Engagement 1, 2 and 3; Critical Thinking 1, 2 and 3; Communication and Information Literacy 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Alternative Lecture

During the semester, two lectures will be hosted by the School of Divinity and Center for Apologetics and Cultural Engagement (Lectures for Spring 2021 TBA). If you are present at both events, you will earn 25 points for attendance as long as: 1) you take notes on the lectures; and 2) post them to the provided Canvas link.

SOD Convocation

Attend the following events and write your own outline of the speaker’s talk. Submit your outline of the speaker’s talk on Canvas within one week after the event. Also be sure to swipe at the entrance. Each event is worth 25 points.

st

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February 1st – School of Divinity Chapel – 10:30 (Virtual: Facebook Live) March 1st – School of Divinity Chapel #1 – 10:30 (TBD)

April 26th – School of Divinity Chapel #3 & Awards Ceremony – 10:30 (TBD)

 Course Grading

Criteria Type

Exam

Paper

Paper

Events

 Policies

Weight

150 pts

50 pts

150 pts

75 pts

Topic

Mid-Term Exam

Financial Literacy Paper

Engagement Paper

SOD Convocation

Notes

           Weekly Quizzes

350 pts

35pointsx10

Assigned readings for the week are to be completed before the first day of class for that week.

          Exam 150 pts Final Exam

             Paper 50 pts Global and Civic Engagement Paper

             Lecture 25 pts Alternative Lectures

             Total 1000 pts

 Disability Assistance

Students with a disability and those with medical conditions associated with pregnancy may contact Liberty University’s Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) at ODAS@liberty.edu or in DeMoss Hall 1264 for accommodations. Such accommodations require appropriate documentation of your condition. For more information about ODAS and the accommodations process, including how to request an accommodation, please visit www.liberty.edu/disabilitysupport. Requests for accommodations not related to disabilities or pregnancy must be directed to the Registrar’s Office, which generally handles medical needs support.

For all disability testing accommodation requests (i.e. quieter environment, extended time, oral testing, etc.) Testing Services (DeMoss Hall 1036) is the officially designated place for all tests administered outside of the regular classroom.

If you have a complaint related to disability discrimination or an accommodation that was not provided, you may contact ODAS or the Office of Equity and Compliance by phone at (434) 592-4999 or by email at equityandcompliance@liberty.edu. Click to see a full copy of Liberty’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy or the Student Disability Grievance Policy and Procedures.

Attendance Policy

In general, regular and punctual attendance in all classes is expected of all students. However, at times, students will miss classes.

  For 100-200 Level courses

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Absences for 100-200 level courses fall into two categories:

1. University Approved Absences

a. University Approved Absences include Liberty University sponsored events, athletic competition, and other Provost-

approved absences.

b. The student must provide written documentation in advance for University Approved Absences.

c. Work missed for University-approved absences may be made up.

2. Student Elective Absences

a. Student Elective Absences include, but are not limited to, illness and bereavement.

b. Work missed for Student Elective Absences may be made up at the discretion of the faculty member. Questions

regarding missed work for Student Elective Absences must be addressed by the student with the professor within one week of returning to class. In cases where this is not possible, the student must notify the Professor in writing of the circumstances impacting his or her absence. The student may appeal the Professor’s decision in writing to the respective Chair within one week. Final appeals may be made to the Dean in writing within one week of the Chair’s decision and the Dean’s decision is final.

c. When circumstances result in excessive absences (e.g., serious medical illness, family crisis), upon return to campus, the student shall communicate in writing with the Registrar’s Office (Registrar@liberty.edu) and provide an explanation of his or her situation with appropriate documentation. The Registrar will consult with the faculty member before making the final decision and will notify, in writing, the student and the faculty member.

d. Students who are more than 10 minutes late for class are considered absent.

e. Students who are late for class 10 minutes or less are considered tardy but present for the class. If a student misses in-

class work due to tardiness, the faculty member may choose not to allow the student to make up this work. Three class

tardies will be counted as one absence.

f. Number of Student Elective Absences Permitted:

i. For classes that meet three times per week, the student will be permitted four elective absences per semester. ii. For classes that meet twice per week, the student will be permitted three elective absences per semester.

iii. For classes that meet once per week, the student will be permitted one elective absence per semester.

3. Penalties for each absence over the permitted number of elective absences per semester will be as follows:

a. 50 points for classes that meet 3 times per week b. 75 points for classes that meet 2 times per week c. 100 points for classes that meet once per week

For 300-400 Level courses

Absences for 300-400 level courses fall into two categories:

1. University Approved Absences

a. University Approved Absences include Liberty University sponsored events, athletic competition, and other Provost-

approved absences.

b. The student must provide written documentation in advance for University Approved Absences

c. Work missed for University-approved absences may be made up.

2. Student Elective Absences

a. While the University believes that consistent attendance in all classes is the largest contributor to students earning good

grades, the University Attendance Policy allows students in upper-level classes the opportunity to make their own

decisions concerning attendance.

b. Work missed for Student Elective Absences may be made up at the discretion of the faculty member. Questions

regarding missed work for Student Elective Absences must be addressed by the student with the professor within one week of returning to class. In cases where this is not possible, the student must notify the Professor in writing of the circumstances impacting his or her absence. The student may appeal the Professor’s decision in writing to the respective Chair within one week. Final appeals may be made to the Dean in writing within one week of the Chair’s decision and the Dean’s decision is final.

c. When circumstances result in excessive absences (e.g., serious medical illness, family crisis), upon return to campus the student shall communicate in writing with the Registrar’s Office (Registrar@liberty.edu) and provide an explanation of his or her situation with appropriate documentation. The Registrar will consult with the faculty member before making the final decision and will notify, in writing, the student and the faculty member.

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Grading Scale

ABCDF

900-1000 800-899 700-799 600-699 0-599

For courses with a Pass/NP final grade, please refer to the Course Grading section of this syllabus for the assignment requirements and/or point value required to earn a Passing final grade.

Honor Code

Liberty University comprises a network of students, Alumni, faculty, staff and supporters that together form a Christian community based upon the truth of the Bible. This truth defines our foundational principles, from our Doctrinal Statement to the Code of Honor. These principles irrevocably align Liberty University’s operational procedures with the long tradition of university culture, which remains distinctively Christian, designed to preserve and advance truth. Our desire is to create a safe, comfortable environment within our community of learning, and we extend our academic and spiritual resources to all of our students with the goal of fostering academic maturity, spiritual growth and character development.

Communities are predicated on shared values and goals. The Code of Honor, an expression of the values from which our Doctrinal Statement was born, defines the fundamental principles by which our community exists. At the core of this code lie two essential concepts: a belief in the significance of all individuals, and a reliance on the existence of objective truth.

While we acknowledge that some may disagree with various elements of the Code of Honor, we maintain the expectation that our students will commit to respect and uphold the Code while enrolled at Liberty University.

Adherence to the principles and concepts established within facilitates the success of our students and strengthens the Liberty community.

The Code of Honor can be viewed in its entirety at https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/ (https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/)

Add/Drop Policy

No course can be added after the first week of classes without signed approval from the course instructor and the Registrar’s Office. A Fall/Spring course may be dropped up to and during Drop/Add Week.

Late Assignment Policy

Course Assignments should be submitted on time.

If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor prior to the assignment due date.

Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:

1. Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will receive a 10% deduction.

2. Assignments submitted more than one week and less than 2 weeks late will receive a 20% deduction. 3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted.

4. Group projects/assignments will not be accepted after the due date.

Special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, personal health issues) will be reviewed by the instructor on a case-by-case basis.  Schedule

                       When Topic Notes

     Module 1: Week 1

Learn: Introduction to Christianity and Culture/ Using the Inside Out Approach

Read: Chatraw and Prior: Introduction and ch. 1

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    When Topic Notes

  Apply

Course Requirement Checklist Class Introduction

Module 2: Week 2

Learn: Biblical Storylines and Engaging Culture Virtuously

Apply Quiz 1 - TopHat: Chatraw and Prior Chs. 2-3- Feb 2

Read: Chatraw and Prior, chs. 2-3 Attend: SOD Event 1 - Feb. 1

      Module 3: Week 3

Learn: Sexuality

Read: Chatraw and Prior, ch. 4

  Apply

Quiz 2 - TopHat: Chatraw and Prior ch. 4- Feb. 9 SOD Event Report 1 - Feb. 8

 Module 4: Week 4

Learn: Gender Roles

Read: Chatraw and Prior, ch. 5

Apply

Quiz 3 - TopHat: Chatraw and Prior ch. 5 -Feb 16

    Module 5: Week 5

Learn: Human Life and Reproductive Technology

Read: Chatraw and Prior, ch. 6 Attend: Ministry Fair - Feb. 23

Apply

Quiz 4 - TopHat: Chatraw and Prior ch. 6 -Feb 23

    Module 6: Week 6

Learn: Immigration and Race

Read: Chatraw and Prior, ch. 7 Attend: SOD Event 2 - Mar. 1

  Apply

Quiz 5 - TopHat: Chatraw and Prior ch. 7 -Mar 2

 Module 7: Week 7

Learn: Creation and Creation Care

Read: Chatraw and Prior, ch. 8

  Apply

Quiz 6 - TopHat: Chatraw and Prior ch. 8 -Mar 9 SOD Event Report 2 -Mar 9

Mid- Term Exam - Mar. 11

 Module 8: Week 8

Learn: Apologetics Lecture

Read: Dealing with Defeaters

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    When Topic Notes Apply

      Module 9: Week 9

Learn: Politics

Apply

Apply

Read: Chatraw and Prior, ch. 9

      Module 10: Week 10

Learn: Work and Financial Literacy

   Module 11: Week 11

Learn: Arts

Read: Chatraw and Prior, ch. 11

  Apply

Quiz 9 - TopHat: Chatraw and Prior ch. 11 -Apr 6 Financial Literacy Paper - Due 11:59pm. Apr. 6

 Module 12: Week 12

Learn: War, Weapons and Capital Punishment

Read: Chatraw and Prior, ch. 12

  Apply

Global and Civic Engagement Paper - Due 11:59pm. Apr. 14

Quiz 10 - TopHat: Chatraw and Prior ch. 12 -Apr 13

 Module 13: Week 13

Learn: Apologetics Lecture

Apply

Quiz 7 - TopHat: Chatraw and Prior ch. 9 -Mar 23

Read: Chatraw and Prior, ch. 10 Read: Ron Blue Material

Quiz 8 - TopHat: Chatraw and Prior ch. 10 -Mar 30

Read: Dealing with Defeaters

     Module 14: Week 14

Learn

Read: Dealing with Defeaters Attend: SOD Event 3 - Apr. 26

Apply

Engagement Paper Assignment - Due 11:59pm Apr 30

  Module 15: Week 15

Learn: Apologetics and Cultural Engagement

Read: Dealing with Defeaters

Read: Chatraw and Prior, chs. 13-14

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    When Topic Notes

  Apply

School of Divinity Event Assignment -May 3

 Module 16: Week 16

Learn: Final Exams

Apply

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