THL410 Early Church History (8)

This foundation subject introduces students to skills appropriate to studying church history, including the use and analysis of early sources, both written and non-written, and later historical interpretations. It encompasses the contributions of the Apostolic Fathers and early Christian Apologists, and explores early challenges to the Christian movement from within and without. Close attention is given to church-state relations and the formulation of Christian theology by prominent theologians and significant councils, especially those convened at Nicaea and Chalcedon. The subject also examines early Christian monasticism, issues of ethnicity and gender, mission and the claims of the Bishop of Rome to supremacy. Consistent attention is given to understanding the broader context of the Graeco-Roman world in which Christianity developed.

Availability

* Offering has a residential school. Please view following information for further details.

Session 1 (30)
On Campus
Canberra Campus
United Theological College
Online *
Canberra Campus
Session 2 (60)
On Campus
Port Macquarie Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: THL410. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Theology

Enrolment Restrictions

Not available to students who have completed THL131 Early Church History.

Subject Relationships

THL131 Paired Subject

Incompatible Subjects

THL131

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to demonstrate an advanced understanding of principal movements in theology, ecclesiology and politics in the Christian Church prior to 600 CE;
  • be able to demonstrate advanced knowledge of primary source documents from this period;
  • be able to demonstrate advanced understanding of methods of historical study;
  • be able to demonstrate an advanced ability to use contemporary documents in making critical judgements about the past and in testing the judgements of others;
  • be able to demonstrate an advanced critical understanding of Christians who lived in different times, cultures and with different worldviews;
  • be able to assess critically historians interpretations of early church history; and
  • be able to demonstrate self-guided and collaborative learning, including advanced research, writing and communication skills relevant to history as a discipline.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • The "Apostolic Fathers", second-century Christian apologists, and their opponents
  • The impact on churches of Graeco-Roman culture, Roman imperial power, and Judaism
  • "Docetism", "Gnosticism", "Montanism" and other heterodox groups prior to 250 CE
  • The persecution, harassment and martyrdom of Christians in the early centuries: causes and effects
  • Church and empire I: the Constantinian dynasty and its legacies
  • The Council of Nicaea, the Arian controversy, and later developments, c. 311-381 CE
  • Church and empire II: East and West
  • Christian monasticism and asceticism, East and West
  • The lives, careers and writings of major figures in the early church (including Irenaeus, Origen, Athanasius, the Cappadocian Fathers, Jerome and Augustine of Hippo)
  • The Council of Chalcedon (451 CE), further Christological controversies, and the emergence of the eastern churches
  • Leo the Great, the papacy and the rise of Rome
  • Regional and ethnic diversity in the early Church
  • Gender and the role of women in the early Church

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of THL410 in Session 1 2021. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated and can also differ to suit the mode of study (online or on campus).

Item Number
Title
Value %
1
Assessment 1: research exercise (part 1)
10
2
Assessment 2: research exercise (part 2)
30
3
Assessment 3: essay
50
4
Discussion board/forum participation
10

Residential School

This subject contains a 2 day Optional Residential School.

The residential school for this introductory subject provides an orientation to the subject matter, methodology, library resources, and research tools pertaining to the study of church history.

Activities include lectures, library orientation and group work.

Special Resources

Online students who choose to attend the optional residential school in Canberra will need to arrange and cover the costs of travel, accommodation and meals.

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: June 2022. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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