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TRANS-AFRICA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY SYLLABUS

COURSE: APOLOGETICS - MASTERS LEVEL      DATE: JANUARY, 2021

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Richard K. BALL                 LEVEL: MATS

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COURSE DESCRIPTION (SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE ENTIRE DESCRIPTION):

This is a curated, self-study course in Christian apologetics with emphasis on critical issues and practical approaches in the African context. 

Apologetics is the defense of the Christian faith. Broadly speaking there are two streams of apologetics instruction, reflecting the two dominant ways of viewing Christian apologetics. The first is philosophical/academic. This covers such topics as the history of apologetics, natural theology, philosophical proofs for the existence of God, the rules of Logic, and the issue of theodicy — the justice of God.

The second view apologetics as an on-the-ground defense against competing religions and ideologies as well as Christian heresies, cults, and unbalanced teachings, e.g., the prosperity gospel.

This course will focus on the second view while covering the first depending upon student interest.

COURSE OBJECTIVES and OUTCOMES:

At the end of this course the student should be able to:

• Identify and discuss major areas of Christian apologetics: e.g., faith vs. reason; the Bible vs. science; theodicy; the existence of God; the person of Christ; world-views; other religions/cults. 
• Identify and use available internet resources for engaging in practical apologetics.
• Identify and address threats within -- cults, heresies; and threats from without -- other religions and ideologies, including, e.g., scientism which is the belief that science is the basis of all knowledge.
• Apply to an African context. 

COURSE FORMAT AND ASSETS:

This is a curated, self-study, online course with an emphasis on group participation and mutual support. The course will make use of TACU online teaching resources (e.g., Moodle) and the Trans-Africa public Facebook apologetics site. A copy of the instructor's Keynote slides will be made available.

COURSE OUTLINE and SCHEDULE: 

COURSE  ASSESSMENT:

ASSESSMENT	DUE DATE	%
CLASS ASSIGNMENTS - WEEKLY JAN-FEB	January-Feb	60%
Research Paper/Assignment	April 1	20%
Overall Contribution to the Class, including participation in discussions led by others		20%
TOTAL		100%

TEXTS and RESOURCES:

Internet-accessible, and/or files made available via Moodle and as assigned by the instructor.

Apologetics videos, e.g., William Lane Craig

Apologetics e-books, e.g., Mere Christianity

Apologetics websites, e.g., Apologetics315

Apologetics courses, e.g., C.S. Lewis Institute

Apologetics ministries, e.g., AC/FAR

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:

Students will engage with the course material via a variety of methods: reading, both books, articles and websties; locating and viewing internet videos from e.g., Youtube; participation in discussion over the readings and viewings; participating in presentations by both the instructor and other students; conducting independent research, and developing a plan that synthesizes and applies the course content.

GRADING EXPECTATIONS:

• Academic integrity including timely submission of assignments and avoidance of illegitimate appropriation and use of others’ work, but rather, demonstrating appropriate and gracious acknowledgment of sources used
• Lively participation and contributions to public class assignments (e.g, posting to the TACU Apologetics website).

• Critical thinking and personal conclusions
• Structuring and presentation of clear arguments with supporting data and rationale
• Depth and accuracy of research
• Creativity in written and verbal presentations
• Graduate-level research and writing skills

OVERALL GRADE “10”. Work exceeds expectations. Student demonstrates excellent and exceptional knowledge of the subject. Able to synthesise, critically assess and apply the complex concepts. Student is prepared to elaborate on/discuss subtle and deeper aspects of the topic. He/she demonstrates insights, originality and creativity. There is evidence of independent reading beyond the core texts. This student has excellent preparation for further studies.

OVERALL GRADE “9”. Student demonstrates high standards of knowledge. Work meets all expectations. Good comprehension of the material. Student is able to analyse and critically evaluate the material and is able to transfer knowledge to other areas. He/she has very good preparation for further studies.

OVERALL GRADE ‘8’. Student demonstrates good knowledge of the subject and ability to summarise well. Shows good and sound comprehension of concepts and ability to evaluate and use them. Work meets all expectations but has insignificant weaknesses. Good preparation for further studies.

OVERALL GRADE “7”. Student demonstrates core knowledge of the subject but does not show complete understanding. Shows good comprehension of core texts, principles and concepts, but has limited ability to critically evaluate and use them. Shows adequate ability to develop arguments and present them. Satisfactory preparation for further studies. 

OVERALL GRADE “6”. Student demonstrates reasonable core knowledge of the subject. Shows limited comprehension of core texts and principles but very little ability to critique or evaluate them. Shows evidence of having read core material but work lacks depth of analysis.

The instructor reserves the right to adjust the final course grade of any student by up to one letter grade, higher or lower, to better reflect the student’s performance, improvement, learning differences, and effort/participation in this course.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY and PLAGIARISM:

In an instructional setting, plagiarism occurs when a person presents or turns in work that includes someone else’s ideas, language, or other (not common knowledge) material without giving appropriate credit to the source.

Plagiarism will not be tolerated, will result in a failed grade on an assignment, and may result in failing this course.

Academic dishonesty constitutes a serious violation of academic integrity and scholarship standards that can result in substantial penalties, at the sole discretion of the University, including but not limited to, denial of credit in a course as well as dismissal from the University. In short, a student violates academic integrity when he or she claims credit for any work not his or her own (words, ideas, answers, data, etc.) or when a student misrepresents any academic performance.

PROFESSOR CONTACTS:

Dr. Rick Ball

Email: rkballtyndale@gmail.com