Spring 1999
Houghton College Syllabus
Department of Psychology & Sociology
PSY-302A Psychology and Christianity
Daryl Stevenson, Ph.D. Office: N322
TTh 8:00-9:15 AM Phone: Ext. 304
Purpose
One distinctive feature of Houghton College is that it attempts to provide a Christian perspective on the arts and sciences. The purpose of this course is to make explicit some fundamental assumptions and perspectives which underlie the psychology curriculum. We will examine Biblical anthropology, then move to a consideration of some philosophical and theological issues involved in thinking Christianly and integratively, move on to several historical and critical issues in integration, then examine emerging issues in philosophy of science, and finally, review several selected problems in integration. Although this course does not claim to be fully comprehensive, it should enable students to identify the issues more clearly and provide them with a better response to others who seek answers to these questions.
Although I have identified a "flow" to the semester using the categories above, you should know that there are continuing themes which transcend these categories. That is, readings within one category frequently address issues in other categories. They are not pure topics. It is hard to find books, for example, which are limited to narrow issues. Reading a whole book at once poses problems of introducing material which I would not normally care to do at that time, but it is probably better than reading a book in a chopped up fashion. And so I compromised: we will read Carter & Narramore and the Vitz book as a whole, but we will read Jeeves' and VanLeeuwen’s in pieces. Therefore, be alert for the broad themes in this course and try to fit them together into a Gestalt by the end so that you have a reasonable understanding of the contemporary issues in "integration."
My objectives are to:
1. challenge students to consider what it means to think Christianly as a general practice and, specifically, in the discipline of psychology.
2. introduce students to the Zeitgeist of evangelical thinking regarding psychology and Christian faith.
3. introduce students to concepts in relating faith and learning.
4. aid students in critical understanding, verbal articulation, and written communication of basic issues, problems, and complexities in personal faith/psychology integration.
5. encourage students to form a beginning perspective of this form of integration, both theoretically and personally.
Texts
Carter, J. and Narramore, B. (1979). The integration of psychology and theology: An introduction. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. [C&N]
Jeeves, M. (1998). Human nature at the millennium: Reflections on the integration of psychology and Christianity. Grand Rapids: Baker.
Van Leeuwen, M. S. (1985). The person in psychology: A contemporary Christian appraisal. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. [MSV] (on loan to you for the semester)
Vitz, P. (1994). Psychology as religion: The cult of self-worship. (2nd Ed.) Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans [VIT]
Requirements
1. Read for thorough understanding the above books and other articles placed at the reserve desk in the library. Three-ring binders containing the articles for this course (called Integration Notebook at the desk) are important to your successful completion of this course. If you wish to make copies of any articles on reserve, please do so. But, be selective. Do not remove any article from the notebooks for more than the time it takes to copy it. Others will need to have access to these readings. Be sure all articles remain in the notebook, with pages in order and unmarked. If all students are diligent with this system we should have no problems. Let's make this honor system work.
2. Write a midterm exam in class; write a final exam to turn in during the final exam period.
3. Occasional quizzes. You are expected to come to class with a formed opinion of the readings for that day. From time to time, you will be provided sets of questions for thought and discussion about particular readings. Also from time to time, you will write a ridiculously simple quiz on the reading for that day. Your lowest quiz will not be counted.
4. Write two "reaction papers." See class outline for topics and due dates. A handout will be provided for some direction on both papers. A reaction paper applies and extends your new knowledge to your life as well as critiques the reading using relevant concepts.
5. Major paper (8 pages minimum, using strict APA format). You will have your choice of doing ONE of several possibilities:
a) Write a research paper on some topic of interest. Appendix A in this syllabus lists some topics that are classic issues in the integration literature. They vary widely from grand macro concepts to troublesome micro questions. Do enough preliminary reading to include a thesis statement near the beginning, show alternative views, and lay out your conclusions. Use a minimum of 12 sources from at least five different journals and books. The more exhaustive the literature review, the better.
b) Complete an annotated bibliography of not less than twenty (20) germane (relevant) sources on some integration topic. Select a theme or topic and do an exhaustive search (including the Internet, of course) for material which sheds light on your theme. The Journal of Psychology and Christianity and the Journal of Psychology and Theology are major sources. But also know of the International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, Review of Religious Research, and Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science. Appendix A is a list of some possible themes/topics but don’t feel limited by those. Personalize the topic: What topic is significant for you? Write an introduction to explain why the topic is important to you. Give a rationale as to why those particular articles were annotated.
Following all of the annotations, write a summary of your impressions and findings. What do you think now that you have been exposed to this literature? Was there any common point of view which you found in the articles, even of very diverse articles? What criticisms can you offer of this literature? These are the kinds of questions/issues to respond to in the conclusion. The annotations themselves should be about 150-200 words each, with a couple of paragraphs. Two thirds of the annotation is summary and one third should be evaluation/criticism. Of course, use the APA style sheet for citations and for general format--such as using page numbers and about a one inch margin. If you need help with proper formatting, see me.
Finally, I have placed on reserve in the library a copy of a former student’s annotated bibliography to give you a sample. She was only asked to have a minimum of 10 sources, so don’t let the number of articles surprise you. It is the introduction and conclusion, plus the quality of her annotations, which I wanted to make available to you.
c) Read all the main articles from two whole issues of either the Journal of Psychology and Theology or the Journal of Psychology and Christianity published since 1990. Write a paper analyzing the two whole issues from the perspective of this course. Summarize very briefly each main article (not the book reviews, etc), evaluate the articles for their contribution to the literature, and try to fit each article into Bouma-Prediger’s and Carter/Narramore’s typologies, giving your rationale. Develop other dimensions on which to compare and contrast all the articles. You will want to review carefully many journal issues before you commit to spending all that time with just two. Do not remove them from the library for long periods of time. Others may need an article in "your" issue, so be cooperative. As the semester wears on, you may be asked to declare to the class which issue you are working from in case others need it. You might photocopy the articles to have a set of your own.
I will happily critique any early drafts to aid your progress. In fact, I will add up to 10 points to your semester total if you let me review a draft of your work at least three weeks prior to the due date. Sorry, any later than that and the offer is void. Earlier than that is best. At the conclusion of the semester, all students will present briefly (7-9 minutes) a verbal report of their research findings regardless of which option you choose.
6. Attendance and participation in class are presumed. Quizzes are forfeited for absences or tardiness—no makeups.
Course Grading
Item Points
Exam 1 (Midterm) 100
Exam 2 (Final) 100
Self-Evaluation 20
Quizzes (simple ones) (5x5) 25
Research paper 100
Oral presentations of research 20
Reaction Papers (2x25) 50
General class participation (+/- factor)
Extra credit? (10 for prelim drafts)
415
Class Outline
I. Introduction
Jan. 12, 14 Introduction/orientation
19,21 Bulkley, The challenge to Christian psychology (radio address heard in class)
McMinn & Foster, The Mind Doctors (on reserve)
Psychology: A biblical analysis (handout)
Psychoheresy Awareness Ministries: What We Believe (handout)
Discussion: Four core objections to integration
II. Biblical Anthropology: Let’s start at the beginning
26 What is a Person?
Jones & Butman, A Christian View of Persons (on reserve)
MSV, Introduction and Chapter 4 only
28 (continued)
Jeeves, Human nature: Biblical and Psychological (ch. 6)
Jeeves, Human needs: Psychological and Theological (ch. 9)
Discussion: The Imago Dei
III. Thinking Christianly: Do you? Can you?
Feb. 2 Contours of a world view: Christian versus secular thought
Monsma, Christian worldview in academia (on reserve)
Gill, The idea of a Christian mind (on reserve)
4 (continued)
Gill, Six marks of a Christian mind (on reserve)
Write: 2-page reaction paper and due this class.
IV. Integration: Content and Process
9, 11 Integration: noun or verb?
Fleck & Carter, Psychology and Christianity: An introduction (on reserve)
Bouma-Prediger, The task of integration: A modest proposal (on reserve)
Faw, Wilderness wanderings and promised integration: The quest for clarity (on reserve)
16 Historical perspectives on integration: A new idea?
Beck, Sola Scriptura: then and now (on reserve)
Jeeves, Modern Psychology; Science and Faith (chs. 1 & 2)
18 (continued)
C&N, The encounter (Chapter 1)
C&N, Barriers to integration (Chapter 2)
[FEBRUARY BREAK]
25 The Christ/culture approach: Either/or?
C&N, Chapters 4-6
March 2 (continued)
C&N, Chapters 7-8
4 Mid-term examination in class
V. Philosophy of Science
9 Philosophy of science approach to integration
Jones, Relating the Christian faith to psychology (on reserve)
Jeeves, The future of Science and Faith (ch. 13)
11 Nature of modern and postmodern science
MSV, Chapters 1 & 3
Ingram, Modern and postmodern issues (on reserve)
16 Postmodernism: Religion and Science
Jones, A constructive relationship for religion with science . . .(on reserve)
MSV, Chapter 5
VI. Selected Problems in Integration
18 The problem of selfism
VITZ, Chapters 1-5
23 Selfism as religion (continued)
VITZ, Chapters 6-9
25 (continued)
VITZ, Chapters 10-13
Your preliminary draft is due this date for extra credit! (Optional)
[Easter Break]
April 6 The problem of evil: Cheri Horst video of personal journey
Write: 2 page reaction paper to the video due next class
8 Discussion of the video and reaction papers
13 The problem of mature relationships: What would Jesus do?
Carlson, The Jesus style of relating (on reserve)
VII. Summing Up
15 Where are we now?
Carter, J. Success without finality (on reserve)
Jones, S. Reflections on the nature and future of the Christian psychologies (on reserve)
Van Leeuwen, M.S. Five uneasy questions (on reserve)
Your major paper is due this date
20 Psychology and theology: Toward the challenges
Hill and Kauffman article (on reserve)
Final exam distributed- returned on final exam date
22, 27 Research presentations
29 Reading Day
Saturday Final exam will be turned in, with discussion to follow, on the exam date. Course
May 1 evaluation and self evaluation sheets to be completed then. 1:00-3:00
Notes and Procedures
1. Please, no colorful plastic covers or paper clips. Staple your papers in the upper left corner. Always number your pages after the first page. Always use APA format.
2. All papers and assignments are due on the date listed in the syllabus, except the major paper, which has a grace period of up to one week after the due date listed (without penalty). Other papers will be late (i.e. reduced grade) if turned in after the due date.
Appendix A
Possible Topics for Annotated Bibliography
Mental Health and Christian Maturity
Hypnosis and Christian Faith
Sin and Psychopathology
Sexual Orientation and Christian Faith
Clergy Training and Psychology
Prayer, Meditation, and Spiritual Maturity
Spiritual Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Marriage, Marital Adjustment, and Christian Faith
Christian Psychotherapy Values and Techniques
Art of Christian Parenting
Christian Missions and the Psychologist
Christian Perspectives on Gender Issues
Christian Perspectives on Self-Esteem
Christian Perspectives on Emotions
Christian Counseling versus Biblical Counseling
Pastoral Care and Professional Ethics
Psychological Ethics and Christian Faith
Models of Integration
Christian Perspectives on Family Therapy
Biopsychology (neuroscience) and Christian faith
Cross cultural psychology and Christian faith
or any other topic which is approved by the instructor
Appendix B
Articles for
PSYCHOLOGY AND CHRISTIANITY
These articles are on ONE HOUR RESERVE at the library desk. You may want to make copies of some of these articles for reading elsewhere and for future reference. If you do, please be selective. Keep all articles and pages in the proper order. Be sure to return the originals to this notebook. Make no marks on these pages.
1. McMinn and Foster, The mind doctors
2. Jones & Butman, A Christian view of persons
3. Monsma, Christian world view in academia
4. Gill, The idea of a Christian mind
5. Gill, Six marks of a Christian mind
6. Fleck & Carter, Introduction (of their book, Psychology and Christianity)
7. Bouma-Prediger, The task of integration: A modest proposal
8. Faw, Wilderness wanderings and promised integration
9. Beck, Sola Scriptura: Then and now
10. Jones, Relating the Christian faith to psychology
11. Ingram, Modern and postmodern issues
12. Jones, A constructive relationship for religion with science . . . .
13. Carlson, The Jesus style of relating
14. Carter, Success without finality: The continuing dialogue of faith and psychology
15. Jones, Reflections on the nature and future . . .
16. Van Leeuwen, Five uneasy questions. . .
17. Hill and Kauffman, Psychology and theology: Toward the challenges
Spring 1999