TRS4402 - Theology in Contexts: Church History

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the history of Christianity from New Testament times until about 1600 and of selected historical movements;
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of some of debates in Christian theology (in both the West and the East) from apostolic times until circa 1600;
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the significance of historical and cultural background to these debates;
Outline, analyse and discuss the principal theological ideas and arguments that emerged from these debates.

Content:

The module explores the interaction between theology and its context, particularly in the West but also by examining Christian theology in a global context. It will provide a broad survey of Christian history – churches and movements – from its inception up to about 1600. This will be accompanied by an indepth study of theologically significant events and developments.
Timelines and maps will be used to to show the sweep of church history and missionary movements. A selection of key episodes and theological debates will be studied with particular attention will be given to analysis and evaluation of sources, including biblical and other primary sources in translation, and representative theologians.
The following topics will be covered:
• The emergence of Christian theology in the New Testament
• The Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) and the pattern of Ecumenical Church Councils
• Orthodox doctrines as opposed to heresies, such as Arianism, Monophysitism, Patripassianism, Donatism, Iconoclasm, Montanism, etc.
• Monasticism
• The divergence of Eastern and Western Christianity
• Evangelisation, mission and the reception of the gospel in selected contexts (including England)
• The medieval Catholic Church and Scholasticism
• The European Reformation (Protestant and Catholic)
Other topics may also be included.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Learning and teaching takes place in plenary sessions and using blended learning. It may also include group activities and also opportunities for individual help through face-to-face meeting or online means. Scheduled learning activities are varied and include include: lecture-style presentations by the module tutor or occasional guest speaker; seminar-style discussion of a particular topic; informal prepared presentations by students, followed by discussion; debates; and other exercises as appropriate to material and group. Students receive guidance on reading in preparation for each session and activity and learning is supported by the VLE (Moodle) and sometimes by readers and other resources. Guidance on research and essay-writing is integral to the learning and teaching process in each module and may also be supported by tutorial guidance on essay plans if requested.

Lecture-style presentations
Contact hours: 20 hours
Intended Group size: 20

Seminar, group work, tutorial, etc.
Contact hours: 20 hours
Intended Group size: 3-20

Guided independent study
Hours: 160

Assessment: