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Semester 1

History of Christianity as a World Religion 1A (DIVI08014)

Subject

Divinity

College

CAHSS

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

1

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Course Summary

The course aims to provide students with a comprehensive view of the global Christian movement in time and space. Considers the period from its Middle Eastern and European origins in theological and sociological/political terms to the Inquisition (50.CE to 1500).

Course Description

Academic Description: This course looks at the origins and growth of Christianity in the Mediterranean world and beyond, from the first generation of Christians to the fall of Constantinople (50CE to 1453CE). The course will cover Christianity's role in and interaction with the various cultures of the Roman and Byzantine Empires, the early and medieval Islamic states, and the emergent civilisations of medieval Europe, looking at persecution, education, mission, monasticism, piety, orthodoxy and heresy and other major themes. Tutorials will concentrate on looking in depth at original texts from the periods studied. Syllabus/Outline Content: The course is divided into three sections: Christianity in the Roman imperial period (before and after Constantine), Christianity in the Byzantine East and Eastern Europe, and Christianity in medieval Western Europe. In each period, we will look both at crisis events (e.g. the great theological controversies of Nicaea and Chalcedon, the Iconoclastic controversy, the Crusades from both Eastern and Western perspectives) and emerging cultural themes (e.g. Christian appropriation of classical culture; Christian dialogue with Islam). Student Learning Experience Information: The course has a programme of self-paced audio/visual material each week equivalent to three one-hour lectures. Weekly tutorials will be held. As well as the primary text for each tutorial, there is a schedule of secondary reading. Each student will be required to write one main blog entry online on a primary text and give a presentation based on it to the relevant tutorial. Every student will also be expected to write weekly short comments on the blogs and participate in tutorial discussion each week. In additional to the tutorial work, students will also investigate two topics in depth through pieces of written coursework, each supported by a preparatory workshop run by a lecturer. The workshop sessions will be either in person or online and spread throughout the semester.

Assessment Information

Written Exam 0%, Coursework 100%, Practical Exam 0%

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