The Reformation
Fall Semester 2001
Frank Luttmer
108 Classic Hall
M W F: 10-12
866-7205historians@hanover.edu
Course Description and Objectives
This seminar is designed to introduce students of the liberal arts to the sources and historiography of the European Reformation. It treats the Reformation both as a significant social and political revolution and as a defining moment in the history of Christian theology. Major themes include: late Medieval Christendom and the origins of the Reformation; the Reformation and Renaissance humanism; Martin Luther and the Lutheran Reformation; the Swiss Reformation and the origins of the Reformed tradition; the Radical Reformation; the Reformation and the family; and the Catholic Reformation. In addition to increasing your understanding of the Reformation, the course is designed to strengthen your skills of historical analysis and interpretation and improve your research and writing skills.
Readings
1. Carter Lindberg, The European Reformations
2. Carter Lindberg, ed., The European Reformations Sourcebook
3. Alister McGrath, Reformation Thought 3rd ed.
4. Desiderius Erasmus, The Praise of Folly and Other Writings, ed. Robert Adams
5. Martin Luther, Selections from his Writings, ed. John Dillenberger
6. Steven Ozment, Magdelena & Balthasar
7. Other primary texts (either distributed in class or linked to the web syllabus)
Grades
Final grades will be based on an evaluation of the following.
1. Two mid-term exams (15% each) and a final exam (20%)
Exams will consist of essay questions. Each of the three exams will cover roughly one-third of the course; the third exam will also include a comprehensive section.
2. A research paper submitted in two drafts (15% for the first draft and 25% for the second)
The research paper can be on any topic in Reformation history. Papers are to be analytical and interpretive; they should present a thesis and develop an argument. You are encouraged to use primary sources, and you are expected to examine the historiographical context of your topic. First drafts may be limited to sources available in the Duggan Library, but you are expected to use Interlibrary Loan to obtain additional sources for the final draft. You should include with your first draft a bibliography based on a universal search for sources. The grade of each draft will be based on the quality of the thesis and argument, the quality of the evidence and logic, and the quality of the writing. You should consult with me about your paper at least a week before each draft is due. Three guides to research in Reformation history have been placed on the library reserve: (1) Steven Ozment, ed., Reformation Europe: A Guide to Research, (2) William Maltby, ed., Reformation Europe: A Guide to Research II, (3) John O'Malley, ed., Catholicism in Early Modern History : A Guide to Research. For reference, The Encyclopedia of the Reformation and Dictionary of the Middle Ages, both available in the reference area of the Duggan Library, are valuable sources. You should also consult with the Research and Writing pages of the History Department web site.
3. Class participation (10%)
The success of this class depends upon the quality of the dialogue in class. It is expected that you will attend every class and that you will be fully prepared to discuss the material assigned for that day. Class participation grades will reflect your attendance record, the frequency of your contributions to class discussions, and the quality of your questions, observations, and conclusions.
Schedule
| Historiography & the Late Middle Ages |
Sept. 5: Lindberg, Preface, 1-23; McGrath, Preface, 1-11
Sept. 7: Lindberg, 24-41; Sourcebook, Preface, 1.1-6, 2.5; Art (distributed in class)
Sept. 10: Lindberg, 41-55; Sourcebook, 1.7-8, 1.21-25; Kempis
| Humanism and Scholasticism |
Sept. 12: McGrath, 39-65; Erasmus, 3-23
Sept. 14: Erasmus, 23-73
Sept. 17: Erasmus, 73-86; Erasmus, Enchiridion (distributed in class)
Sept. 19: Erasmus, 117-127, 142-150, 166-173
Sept. 21: Erasmus, 297-308; McGrath, 66-85; Sourcebook, 1.21; Aquinas
Sept. 24: Lindberg, 56-73; Luther, 3-34
Sept. 26: Lindberg, 73-90; Sourcebook, 2.8-14, 2.18-22
Sept. 28: Luther, 42-85
Oct. 1: Luther, 403-31
Oct. 3: FIRST EXAM
| The Theology of the Reformers |
Oct. 5: Luther, 86-116, 127-139
Oct. 8: Luther, 139-65; Erasmus, Free Will (distributed in class)
Oct. 10: Luther, 166-203
Oct. 12: Lindberg, 309-34; McGrath, 249-60; Sourcebook, 12.2, 12.7-8, 12.18-25
Oct. 15: Fall Break
Oct. 17: McGrath, 86-131
Oct. 19: McGrath, 132-68; Calvin
Oct. 22: McGrath, 169-196; Sourcebook, 6.16-23, 9.9; Calvin
Oct. 24: McGrath, 197-218; Calvin; Calvin, Institutes (London, 1587), 336v-337r (IV.i.1) (on reserve)
Oct. 26: No Class
Oct. 29: No Class
Oct. 30: FIRST DRAFT OF PAPER DUE
Oct. 31: McGrath, 219-234; Luther, 363-402
| The Implementation of Reform in Germany |
Nov. 2: Lindberg, 91-110; Sourcebook, 3.3-6, 3.10-20
Nov. 5: No Class
Nov. 7: Lindberg, 111-134; Sourcebook, 4.1-13
Nov. 9: Lindberg, 135-58; Sourcebook, 5.1-9
Nov. 12: No Class
Nov. 14: SECOND EXAM
Nov. 16: Lindberg, 158-68; Sourcebook, 5.10-21
| The Reformation and the Family |
Nov. 19: Ozment, 12-55
Nov. 21: Thanksgiving Break
Nov. 23: Thanksgiving Break
Nov. 26: Ozment, 56-166
| The European Reformations |
Nov. 28: Lindberg, 169-98; Sourcebook, 6.1-15; Art and Music
Nov. 30: Lindberg, 199-228; Sourcebook, 7.5-21
Dec. 3: Lindberg, 249-74; Sourcebook, 9.1, 9.3-6, 9.8, 9.10-16
Dec. 5: Lindberg, 335-356; Sourcebook, 13.1-20; Art and Music
| Culture and the Legacy of the Reformation |
Dec. 7: Lindberg, 357-81; McGrath, 261-78; Art and Music; FINAL DRAFT OF PAPER DUE
Dec. 10, 2-5 PM: FINAL EXAM
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