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THL419 The European Reformations, 1400-1700 (8)

Abstract

This subject begins with an overview of fifteenth-century Western Christianity and society, emphasising the impact of scholasticism, Christian humanism and novel nationalism. It then explores: the reformations in continental Europe and reform movements within Roman Catholicism; the radical reformations, inquisitions and the plight of religious minorities; English and Scottish reformations from Henry VIII to Elizabeth I; Puritan influence; and the Stuart, Commonwealth and Restoration settlements. Consistent attention is given to the reformations’ long-term legacies and the broader context of the early modern world, as well as socio-cultural issues such as gender and sexuality, death, witchcraft and moral discipline.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Location

Session 2
InternalCanberra Campus
InternalUnited Theological College
Distance*Canberra Campus
*This subject offering contains a residential school. Please view following information for further details.
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: THL419
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration Grading System School:
One sessionHD/FLSchool of Theology

Enrolment restrictions

Graduate Diploma of Theology
Incompatible subject(s)Related subject(s)
THL132 THL132 Paired Subject

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to demonstrate an understanding of the diverse political, intellectual and social contexts of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century reform movements
  • be able to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the contribution of major figures in these movements
  • be able to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of a range of views on controversial issues relating to theology, sacraments and church-state relations
  • be able to demonstrate an understanding of the successive settlements of religion in Britain
  • be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of minority religious movements
  • be able to explain aspects of Protestant and Roman Catholic thought, life and culture before 1700 CE
  • be able to assess critically historians' interpretations of reformation church history
  • be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of Christians who lived in different times, cultures and with different worldviews
  • be able to demonstrate self-guided and collaborative learning, including research, writing and communication skills

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:
  • the context of late medieval Christendom: tensions and crises in the Western Church by 1500 CE; Wyclif and Hus; Erasmus, scholasticism and Christian humanism
  • Luther, the German Reformation and Lutheran movements in northern Europe
  • Zwingli, Bucer, Calvin and the progress of Reformed Protestantism
  • changes in Roman Catholicism: reform, reaction and revival
  • the radical reformations and religious minorities
  • religion, society and politics in Britain from the Tudors to the Stuarts
  • Puritanism and nonconformity in early modern Britain
  • the character and consequences of the Elizabethan, Stuart, Commonwealth and Restoration religious settlements
  • the character and consequences of the wars of religion and religious settlements in Europe
  • patterns of life: death, gender, sexuality, the family and witchcraft in the Reformation period
  • the long-term legacies and worldwide impact of the reformations

Residential School

This subject contains a optional 2 day residential school. The residential school for this introductory subject provides an orientation to the subject matter, methodology, assessment, library resources, and research tools pertaining to the study of church history. Activities include lectures, tutorial discussion and library orientation.

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The information contained in the 2015 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 01 October 2015. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.