Module THMN1227: Introduction to Church History

Department: Theology and Ministry

THMN1227: Introduction to Church History

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To enable students to understand and appreciate the historical processes and contexts (social, political, economic, cultural and intellectual) by which and in which the Christian Church grew and developed.

Content

• The history of the Church from the Apostolic Age including:
• introduction to historiography and theological reflection on church history
• the growth of the early Church in the context of Judaism, Classical Culture and the Roman Empire
• the reality and significance of persecution
• an introduction to the development of doctrine and the formation of the Creeds
• the growth of monasticism
• the establishment of the Papacy
• the re-conversion of Western Europe
• the structures and spirituality of the Medieval Church
• European Reformations, Protestant and Catholic
• the Long Reformation in England
• the development of the Modern World and its impact on the Church, focused on key concepts such as Enlightenment, Revolution, Industrialisation and Secularisation
• the Church's response to Modernity.

Learning Outcomes

• The key objective is that students develop an overview of the historical development of the Church in its context both as an essential ministerial skill and also as part of the foundation for further theological training. By the end of the module students will be able to demonstrate:
• an awareness of the chief movements, personalities and events which have shaped the history of the Church.
• an awareness of the use and possible abuse of evidence in developing a historical understanding.

• an appreciation of the significance of the historical reality of the Church for theological reflection and current action.

• an increased understanding of their own tradition and those of other Christians.

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

• Lectures & Seminars (14 hours contact time)

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

In-class exercise

■ 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