Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2014-2015 (archived)

Module THEO2301: THE MAKING OF MODERN CHRISTIANITY: MEDIEVAL AND REFORMATION EUROPE

Department: Theology and Religion

THEO2301: THE MAKING OF MODERN CHRISTIANITY: MEDIEVAL AND REFORMATION EUROPE

Type Open Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2014/15 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To provide students with an overall religious history of the period;
  • To introduce students to the development of theology in the period;
  • To introduce students to the interrelationship between religious and theological factors and social and cultural developments in the period;
  • To introduce students to the interpretation of theological and historical texts in translation.

Content

  • This module examines the emergence of modern Christianity. The medieval and Reformation periods were pivotal for the making of the modern world because the theological, spiritual and moral ideas of both leading intellectual and more popular movements influenced the long-term development of Churches, governments and culture, and their impact is still evident in church and society today. This module will examine these ideas but will also explore the ways in which they were profoundly affected by the social, political and economic conditions that characterized the medieval and early modern world. In this module, students will have opportunities to engage with primary medieval and Reformation sources.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module, students should be able to: Outline the overall religious history of the period;
  • Understand the significance of theological developments;
  • Appreciate the interrelationship between religious and theological factors and social and cultural developments;
  • Interpret appropriate theological and historical texts.
Subject-specific Skills:
    Key Skills:

      Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

      • Lectures to outline the key periods in the development of Christianity.
      • Seminars to discuss selected primary sources.
      • Essays to deepen knowledge of particular aspects of the module topics.
      • Examination to consolidate and demonstrate knowledge.

      Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

      Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
      Lectures 16 Weekly, but no lectures in weeks 5,8 (Michaelmas), 14,17 (Epiphany), 20 or 22. 1 hour 16
      Seminars 12 Seminar slots after lectures, to fall in weeks 3,4,6,7,9,10 (Michaelmas), 12,13,15,16,18,19 (Epiphany) 1 hour 12
      Preparation and Reading 172
      Total 200

      Summative Assessment

      Component: Summative Essay Component Weighting: 25%
      Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
      Summative Essay 3000 words 100%
      Component: Examination Component Weighting: 75%
      Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
      Examination 3 hours 100%

      Formative Assessment:

      One formative essay (2500 words).


      Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University