Professor: Aaron Meraz, PhD, DMin
214-578-0387
Criswell College
[email protected]
CRISWELL COLLEGE
EMS423 L00.A The Great Awakenings
Fall 2016
A. Course Description
A biographical history of eighteenth and nineteenth century evangelism in America. The lives
and ministries of America’s greatest evangelists of this era will be examined and evaluated.
Special attention given to our nation’s two great awakenings. (Prerequisite may be taken
concurrently: THS 201)
B. Course Objectives
At the end of this course, the student should demonstrate the ability to satisfy the following course
outcomes:
1. Biblical Studies: to interpret Scripture in the light of spiritual awakenings.
2. Theology: to develop a theology of spiritual awakenings.
3. Integration: to apply principles of spiritual awakenings to one’s own context.
C. Required Textbooks
McDow, Malcolm, & Alvin Reid. Firefall 2.0. CreateSpace Independent Publishing, 2014.
ISBN: 9781499500561.
Murray, Iain H. Revival and Revivalism. Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1994.
ISBN: 0851516602
D. Course Requirements
1. Attendance. Weekly attendance is expected. (10% of grade)
2. Evangelism Journal. At least 10 weeks of the semester, each student must submit a report
on evangelistic work done by the student. Please see the end of this syllabus for format.
Submit in Blackboard Journals (20% of grade)
3. Awakening Leader Sermons. Each week, students will choose a sermon from an Awakening
Leader and copy & paste it in the Discussion Board. Each student will read at least one of the
other students’ posts, and give a comment on the soteriological implications in the sermon. The
sermons are due by Wednesday of each week and the replies are due by the beginning of each
class period. (20% of grade)
4. Awakening Leader Research Paper. Each student will choose one of the following
awakening leaders, research him, and write an 8 page research paper on the awakening. The
paper should be double-spaced and formatted according to the Criswell Manual of Style. The
paper should be in your own words with less than 30% quotations from other materials. At
least 7 sources should be cited.
List of Leaders: John Wesley, George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, Samuel Davies, Shubal
Stearns, Isaac Backus, James McGready, Asahel Nettleton, Lyman Beecher, Charles Finney,
Peter Cartwright, William Wilberforce.
The following outline should be observed for the body of the paper:
I. Intro with thesis statement (1/2 page)
II. Background of the Leader (2 pages)
III. The Leader & the Awakening (3 pages)
IV. Applications for Today (2 pages)
V. Conclusion (1/2 page)
The paper will be due on Oct. 3 by 11:59pm (25% of grade). Upload to Blackboard.
7. Final Paper. Each student will write a 10 page, double-spaced paper formatted according to
the Criswell Manual of Style entitled, “The Delay of Revival,” with analysis on one’s own
church. The paper should be in your own words with less than 30% quotations from other
materials. A grading rubric will be posted in Blackboard. This paper will count for 25% of the
student’s grade. Upload in Blackboard. Due Dec. 5 by 11:59pm. At least 7 sources should be
cited. The following outline should be observed:
I. Intro with thesis statement (1/2 page)
II. Body of Paper (9 pages)
A. The Definition of Revival (1-2 pages)
B. Principles of Revival in the Awakenings (3-4 pages)
C. The Delay of Revival in (Your Church) (2-3 pages)
D. Steps Needed for Revival in (Your Church) (2-3 pages)
III. Conclusion (1/2 page)
E. ATTENDANCE POLICY
Students are expected to attend all class sessions (see attendance policies in Criswell College Catalog,
2015-2016).
Students are responsible for enrolling in courses for which they anticipate being able to attend every
class session on the day and time appearing on course schedules, and then making every effort to do
so. When unavoidable situations result in absence or tardiness, students are responsible for acquiring
any information missed. Professors are not obliged to allow students to make up missed work. Per their
independent discretion, individual professors may determine how attendance affects students’ ability to
meet course learning objectives and whether attendance affects course grades.
F. GRADING SCALE
A 97-100
A- 93-96
B+ 91-92
B 88-90
B- 86-87
C+ 83-85
C 80-82
C- 78-79
D+ 75-77
D 72-74
D- 70-71
F 0-69
4.0 grade points per semester hour
3.7 grade points per semester hour
3.3 grade points per semester hour
3.0 grade points per semester hour
2.7 grade points per semester hour
2.3 grade points per semester hour
2.0 grade points per semester hour
1.7 grade points per semester hour
1.3 grade points per semester hour
1.0 grade point per semester hour
0.7 grade points per semester hour
0.0 grade points per semester hour
G. CLASSROOM MILIEU
1. ACADEMIC HONESTY
Absolute truth is an essential belief and the basis of behavior for those who believe in a God
who cannot lie and forbids falsehood. Academic honesty includes the basic premise that all
work students submit must be their own and any ideas received from somewhere else must be
carefully documented.
2. LEARNING DISABILITIES
If you have learning or other disabilities, please inform the professor at the beginning of the
course. Our intention is to help all students learn. We will try to accommodate your needs if at
all possible.
3. DRESS CODE (While on Campus)
All students are to follow the Criswell College dress code as noted in the Student Handbook.
Students not in compliance to the code may be asked to leave class. The dress code reflects
our intent of preparing students for leadership in ministry. Here are the basics of the dress
code. Jeans and casual wear are appropriate provided that the clothing is modest and in good
condition. Both men and women should avoid extremes in hairstyles and jewelry. No body
piercings are allowed except women’s earrings. All students are expected to maintain proper
hygiene and grooming. Shorts and tank-tops are not allowed on campus. Other inappropriate
wear would include torn clothing, skimpy dresses, bare midriffs and bare shoulders.
4. AUDITING AND SIT-IN STUDENTS
Any on-campus course may be audited if there is space available in the classroom. Audit students
do not receive grades from professors. A student’s permanent transcript will reflect which courses
have been completed as audits.
Sit-in status is offered only if space is available in the classroom and when approval is given by
the Registrar’s Office. Sit-in students are not given grades by professors and their transcripts will
not reflect enrollment in the course. Taking tests and participation in course activities are at the
discretion of the professor.
5. LATE ASSIGNMENT POLICY
Late assignments will be accepted with a 5% deduction per day late. Therefore, a late assignment
will not be accepted after 6 days from the due date.
H. DISTANCE EDUCATION STUDENTS
GENERAL
Students participating in courses through Distance Education, whether with or without live interaction,
must complete the academic requirements for those courses with the integrity and commitment
necessary to participate in and benefit from all of the exercises provided by the professor for learning
the subject matter of the course. Therefore credit for Distance Education courses is the same as credit
for courses taken on campus.
LIBRARY
Distance Education Students can access information about Criswell College’s Wallace Library at 214818-1348 or http://www.criswell.edu/current_students/library/. The Wallace Library manual is
available at http://www.criswell.edu/current_students/library/library_handbook/.
STUDENT LIFE AND SUPPORT
Students needing educational support or services should contact the Student Life Office (SLO) at 214818-1332 or [email protected] or the Registrar at 214-818-1303.
VIDEO & OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS: Unless otherwise specifically instructed
in writing by the professor, students must neither materially nor digitally reproduce materials from any
course offered by Criswell College for or with the significant possibility of distribution.
I. DISCLAIMER
This syllabus is intended to reflect accurately the learning objectives, instructional format, readings,
learning activities, evaluation criteria, policies on late assignments and absences, grading scale, course
schedule, reference list, and other information necessary for students to appraise the course. However,
during the course of the semester the professor reserves the right to modify any portion of this syllabus
as may appear necessary because of events and circumstances that occur during the semester.
J. Course Calendar
Date
Aug. 15
Aug. 22
Aug. 29
Sept. 5
Sept. 12
Sept. 19
Sept. 26
Oct. 3
Oct. 10
Oct. 17
Oct. 24
Oct. 31
Nov. 7
Nov. 14
Nov. 21
Nov. 28
Dec. 5
Topic
Intro of Course
Understanding Revival
Revivals & the Spread of Christianity
LABOR DAY - NO CLASS
Stirrings before the Awakenings
First Great Awakening in Britain
First Great Awakening in America, Part 1
First Great Awakening in America, Part 2
Awakening Leader Paper Due
First Great Awakening in America, Part 3
The Second Great Awakening in America, Part 1
The Second Great Awakening in America, Part 2
The Second Great Awakening in America, Part 3
The Laymen’s Prayer Revival
20th Century Revivals
FALL BREAK & THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY!
Guest Lecturers: Evangelists who have Experienced
Awakenings
Final Paper Due
Reading
Intro in Polhill (P)
McDow, Ch. 1, Murray,
Intro & Ch. 1
McDow, Ch. 5-7
McDow, Ch. 8
McDow, Ch. 9
McDow, Ch. 10
Murray, Ch. 2-3
Murray, Ch. 4
McDow, Ch. 11, Murray, Ch. 5
Murray, Ch. 6-8
Murray, Ch. 9-12
McDow, Ch. 12, Murray, Ch. 13
McDow, Ch. 13
NO CLASS
None
Weekly Evangelism Report
Date of Evangelistic Encounter ______________________________
Name of Person you witnessed to _____________________________
Brief description of your evangelistic conversation ____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What plans did you make for follow up? _____________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________