Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Reformation Roundtable Discussion (Project Grade)

This is a role-playing exercise.  You will portray one of the 20 following religious or political leaders.  Depending on class size, it is possible a handful of you could double up to portray a few of the major leaders (Luther, Calvin, Henry VIII, Eramus) or, in a small class, omit minor players.  I will act as the facilitator of the discussion, posing questions based on the topics listed below, to guide the discussion.  At times, you will disagree with one another, such as when you are discussing controversial doctrines and beliefs.  At other times, you will agree with segments of other students with whom you share similar doctrines and beliefs.   Finally, you may have unique religious or political leanings or circumstances that cause you to see things differently than others.

Step 1:  We have asked you to read the Palmer textbook (pages 77-98) and the reading from Manchester (pages 112-136) to familiarize you with the political, religious, and socio-economic context in which the Reformation arises.  It will also alert you to the major personalities of the age.

Step 2:  Once you understand the context, you will need to research on your own, drawing from reliable, scholarly sources and/or primary sources.  Manchester wrote about several of the leaders below in A World Lit Only By Fire (pages 136-219) and copies of the text will be made available in class.  You may also use Internet sources; we have some recommendations of the kinds and types of sources below.

Step 3: You should prepare an outline of your personality’s beliefs/arguments on the following topics, along with responses to the arguments of other (opposing) religious and political leaders.  This will aid you in the discussion, which will be graded entirely based on your verbal participation and dramatic flair (see rubric). Many of the figures of the time actually wrote about (and maybe even to) each other, such as Eramus and Luther. 
  
John Huss (Bohemia)                                                              
Wyclif (Lollards) (England)  

Eramus (Holland)                                                                           
Tetzel (Germany)
Martin Luther (Germany) 
Charles V (Germany)
Frederick the Wise (Germany)
Josel Of Rosheim (Germany)
Leo X (Italy)
Suleyman the Magnificent (Ottoman Empire) 

Pope Paul III (Italy)                                                                      
Ignatius Loyola (Spain)                                              
Teresa of Avila (Spain)                                               

Clement VII (Italy)
Henry VIII (England)
Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury (England)                                            
Thomas More (England)

John Knox (Scotland)
Zwingli (Switzerland)                                                 
Calvin (France/Switzerland)  

DISCUSSION TOPICS
·      Celibacy, absenteeism, pluralism, and simony
·      Clerical poverty or wealth
·      Education of the clergy
·      Ultimate authority: pope or Bible? Why?
·      Salvation: faith, good works, other?
·      Good works/indulgences/confession/purgatory
·      Predestination, sacraments, etc.
·      Trans vs. consubstantiation vs. memorial
·      Sex/marriage/role of women/morality
·      Political vs. religious authority
·      Political realities within Germany, England, and Papal States

GRADING RUBRIC
Did you show thorough familiarity with the beliefs of your political or religious figure, showing preparation for the task at hand?

Were you able to compare and contrast the beliefs of your political or religious figure with the others present?

Did you use your best efforts to respond directly to the topic open for debate or discussion?  (Try to build on each other’s comments.)

Did you take us off-course, diverting us from flushing out the different perspectives on each?

Did you exhibit any dramatic flair (costume, great pithy quotes, engaging your contemporaries, etc.)?

Did everyone participate?  (Please persuade, coerce, and compel all students to take part.)

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