DR. ERIC J. CARLSON
Office: SSC 117 Phone: 7692
E-mail: ecarlson@gustavus.edu
Drop-In Hours: T 2:30-4:00
and by appointment

Studying the Reformation always helps me to think more clearly about what it is that I believe. It may have the same result for you. However, that is not a topic for the classroom. Our purpose in this class is to study and understand the past. The class is not a forum for individuals to promote a particular set of religious beliefs or to criticize the beliefs of others. While the Reformation--like other historical events--has left a legacy that is with us today (which we will examine at the end of the semester), our primary purpose is to consider and strive to understand the past as the past, which means speaking with a certain intellectual detachment even about issues that may be personally important to us today.

Everyone is allowed two absences--the equivalent of one week of class--without any negative consequences. I don't make a distinction between 'excused' and 'unexcused' absences, so don't feel that you need to explain your absences to me. However, I do appreciate the courtesy of advance warning (even ten minutes before class by phone or e-mail) so that I don't wait for you before beginning the day's activities. Between three and six absences may result in reduction of your final course grade, unless the absences are required by illness or personal/family emergency, or participation in a college-sponsored activity. In such cases, you must provide documentation and demonstrate that you have done the day's assignment. (The supervising faculty member is required by college policy to provide you with a letter for your instructors spelling out the dates, times and details of necessary absences for such activities.) More than six absences, regardless of the reason, mnay result in an F for the course. Make-up exams and extra time to submit at-home exams is possible in cases of illness, fam,ily emergency, or absence for co-curricular activities--but please speak to me in advance about that rather than assuming it.

1. Gustavus's academic honesty code, including the Honor Pledge, is enforced in this class. If violated, I will file a report with the Dean's office; the violator may fail the course.
2. If you have a diagnosed learning disability or any health situation (physical or mental) that might have an impact on your ability to complete your assignments, it is your responsibility to let me know about it at the beginning of the semester. I will make every reasonable accommodation. (See Laurie Bickett in the Advising Center for documentation.)
3. Cell phones should be turned off during class. If you are expecting an urgent call, set the phone to alert you silently, let me know that you may have to leave during class to take the call, and sit by the door for an inconspicuous departure.
4. If you borrow course materials from me or the library, you are expected to return them unmarked and undamaged. You will not receive a grade for HIS-221 until all borrowed materials have been returned, or until damaged materials have been replaced.
5. Late arrival is sometimes unavoidable, and I would ordinarily prefer that you come late than not at all. However, late arrival is distracting and should be avoided. If it becomes a pattern, there will be unpleasant consequences--a grade reduction or being locked out of the class. If you do come late, please enter as quietly as possible and sit by the door.
   

In this unit, we will look at the main ideas of the major reformers (Luther, Zwingli and Calvin), as well as those of the radical group known as the Anabaptists. Be alert in particular to (1) the roots of the reformers' ideas in medieval theology and (2) agreements and disagreements among the reformers. How great a break with the past does the Reformation offer? Why were the Anabaptists considered such a threat by the mainstream reformers? Are the ideas of Luther, Zwingli and Calvin different enough that the label "Reformation" suggests an inaccurate commonality, or is there a common underlying agenda, as argued by Scott Hendrix?

Illustration (left):
title page of Martin Luther's treatise On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church (1520)

Ideas about Salvation: Justification, Providence & Predestination

Reformation Thought, 101-25, 132-44;
Reader, docs. 22, 25, 77, 79, 83