"Reacting to the Past": Henry VIII and the Reformation Parliament
July 8-12, 2024

 

About the workshop

Immerse yourself in the heated debates that shaped England's religious future during this unique interactive workshop. Step back in time to the pivotal era of the English Reformation, where you'll assume the role of an influential figure caught in the crossfire of a nation divided.

As King Henry VIII desperately seeks to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, you'll find yourself grappling with the core ideological questions that defined this period. Will you defend the longstanding traditions of Rome and the papal authority? Or will you join the rising tide of reformers, fighting for a radical restructuring of English society and religious doctrine?

Through dynamic role-playing and engaging discussions, you'll utilize historical sources and Scripture to bolster your arguments. Collaborate with fellow participants as you navigate the intricate politics and ideological clashes that defined the Reformation era, debating core Christian principles including salvation, justification, and the very nature of Christian living.

This workshop offers a profound opportunity to reflect on the enduring relevance of these issues, exploring how Christians today approach the same questions of faith, authority, and the relationship between church and state.

 

Workshop Details:

  • Daily sessions Monday July 8 to Friday, July 12, 9 am to noon and 1 pm to 4 pm
  • Open to high school history and religion teachers, college/university students, and community members
  • Costs: $100 registration fee, plus added fees for those seeking continuing education credits or graduate credits through Calvin University's education department. Current Calvin students, faculty, and staff can register for $50.
  • Course Instructor/Coordinator: Dr. Karin Maag, Director, H. Henry Meeter Center for Calvin Studies
  • Location: Meeter Center, Hekman Library, on the campus of Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Learning outcomes: by the end of the workshop, participants will be able to
    1. Develop critical thinking and self-directed learning strategies
    2. Explore and develop their capacity to lead students through experiential learning activities in the classroom
    3. Use debates and discussions as key components of their pedagogical tool-kit
    4. Articulate the issues at stake that shaped the English Reformation up to 1540
    5. Evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses of the arguments presented both by the defenders of Reformation and the upholders of traditional Catholicism in early modern England
    6. Analyze the mix of political and religious factors that shaped the Parliament’s actions during these crucial years of the English Reformation

Encounter a unique way to teach church history and breathe life into your classroom. Discover an innovative approach that fosters critical thinking, analytical skills, and a deeper understanding of the complexities that shaped our modern world.

Register

  • Register today to secure your place in this immersive historical experience!
  • Questions? Email Karin.maag@calvin.edu
  • To register, please complete this form (https://forms.gle/voEFEmx2XgD3S5DU7)
  • Fees
    • Course fee
      • $100 course fee
      • $50 for current Calvin students, faculty, and staff
    • Additional optional fees
      • For high school teachers who would like graduate credit or Continuing Education Credits (SCECHs), the costs are as follows:
      • Graduate credit (2 credit workshop): $780
      • SCECHs: $30
  • Payment
    • Send the check and completed application form to
      • Attn. Dr. K. Maag, Director, Meeter Center
        Hekman Library, 1855 Knollcrest Circle SE
        Grand Rapids, MI 49546
      • Check payable to "the Meeter Center for Calvin Studies"
    • You can also make the payment online here: https://commerce.cashnet.com/calvinCUS?itemcode=CUS-MEE1
  • In order to be considered, application materials and the fee must be received by June 24, 2024