Course finder

<< return to browsing

Semester 1

Reformations: Continental Europe 1475-1600 (DIVI10079)

Subject

Divinity

College

CAHSS

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

3

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Visiting students interested in Reformation or early modern religious history would benefit from this course. Visiting students should have completed at least 3 Divinity/Religious Studies courses at grade B or above. We will only consider University/College level courses.

Course Summary

A study of central issues at stake in the varieties of Reformation that took root across Continental Europe in the 16th century. The course uses key texts from Luther, Calvin, Anabaptist and Catholic reformers. It sets the documents and their authors in context, historically and theologically. It considers continuities/discontinuities with late medieval thought. It explores the directions reform thought took within the Protestant movement, and in Catholic settings. It analyses the character and consequences of the polemics that divided Europe.

Course Description

Academic Description: This course allows students to gain knowledge and understanding of Protestant and Catholic reform movements in Continental Europe, c.1475-1600. It looks at the intellectual, social, cultural contexts in which reform took root; the hinterland in late medieval life and thought; the positions adopted by different parties on central themes in debate, such as justification by faith alone, the nature of Christ's presence at the Eucharist, the authority of Scripture/tradition; the impact of printed propaganda on the character of Reformation debate; the cohesive and divisive pressures of confessional division within Continental Europe. Students will study key 16th century texts in translation, to interpret their historical and theological significance. They will become familiar with the variety of approaches taken in recent Reformation scholarship. Syllabus/Outline Content: The course starts with an introduction to recent writing on the Reformation, and to significant currents in late medieval religious life and theology. Then the focus is on Luther and the German reform movement of the 1520s. The parallel reform movement in Zurich and Swiss cantons is explored through the conflict that developed between Luther and the Swiss reformer Zwingli. Following this, attention turns to radicals such as Anabaptists, who resisted the mainstream (magisterial) Reformation and were persecuted and marginalised as a result. Moving forward into the 1530s, the course then looks at the second generation of Protestant reform, represented by religious change in Geneva, the work of Calvin, and the international spread of the Reformed tradition. The final third of the course looks at Catholic reform movements, from the common ground of late medieval religion to the decisive rejection of Protestantism at the Council of Trent. The last session is an opportunity to look at the character and consequences of Europe's divisions over religion. After the first week, the pattern of teaching will typically be a one-hour seminar discussion of pre-assigned texts, followed by a one-hour lecture that provides background for the following week's texts. 1. Recent writing on the Reformation; late medieval background 2. Luther's protest 3. Luther's ideas, and how and where they took root 4. Conflict and controversy 5. Radical reformers 6. The Reformation in Geneva 7. Calvin's Institutes 8. Reform thought in Catholic circles 9. Catholic mysticism and devotion 10. The Council of Trent 11. Europe divided Student Learning Experience Information: The class meets for two hours a week, typically for a one-hour seminar discussion of pre-assigned texts, followed by a one-hour lecture that provides background for the following week's texts. A course reader will be provided. The LEARN site for the course will run a blog from week 2: each week, all students will be asked to contribute a comment on seminar texts of 100-150 words, to feed into discussion. Each student will be allocated a seminar to co-lead and facilitate, with a presentation of no more than 10 minutes. Students will be offered formative feedback on their presentations and at other appropriate points. Students will be provided with titles and bibliographies for the coursework essay, and will be offered a preparatory meeting with the course manager to discuss their choice of essay topic.

Assessment Information

Written Exam 50%, Coursework 40%, Practical Exam 10% 30% - Coursework Essay (2000 words) 10% - Weekly blog contributions 10% - Class presentation 50% - Exam (in person exam)

view the timetable and further details for this course