| CODE | HPA1100 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Early Christian History | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Church History, Patrology and Palaeochristian Archaeology | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The History of Christianity in its first centuries from the Acts of the Apostles to Early Medieval times c. 800 is presented. Students are introduced to the Ancient Church Councils (Nicaea, Constantinople I-IV, Ephesus, Chalcedon); the early missionary endeavours within and outside the Roman Empire; the situation of Christianity within the Roman Empire, from persecution to official religion; the internal life of the Church in its organization and the development of the sacraments and liturgy; the great waves of missionary activity in the West (Boniface, Willibrord) and in the East (Cyril and Methodius). Chief exponents in early Christian history will be presented, such as Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Augustine, Justinian, etc. The main heretical movements (Gnosticism, Donatism, Pelagianism) will be highlighted, as well as the way the Church responded to them. Study-Unit Aims: This study-unit aims to: - Present the historical development of the early Church within the context of the Roman Empire in the West and in the East, followed by the barbarian invasions and the rise of Islam. - Define the way the Church was structured, and the main exponents who influenced its development. - Present how the Church flourished in different historical circumstances, while inculturating itself in different social and political contexts. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Recognize and contextualize different historical figures and events through a basic knowledge of ancient Church History, from the beginnings of the Church to the onset of mediaeval times. - Comprehend the role of key figures and the social context wherein Christianity had its genesis and developed to become an important institution within society from the first to the tenth centuries. - Explain the main characteristics of different phases in the history of the early Church. - Illustrate the development in the relationship between the early Church and society. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will: - Be able to identify the key figures in Church history, their influence and contribution to the growth of the community instituted by Jesus Christ. - Be able to evaluate the interrelationship between these key figures and the society where and when they lived. - Be cognizant of the genesis of theological controversies which led to the convocation of the first seven ecumenical councils. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - ALBERIGIO, Giuseppe (Ed)( Italian edition), La Storia del Cristianisimo, vol. 1(2003) vol. 2 (2000) Vol. 3 (2002) vol. 4 (1999). - BOKKENKOTTER, Thomas, A Concise history of the Catholic Church, New York 1990. - JEDIN Hubert, (ed.) History of the Church, vol. I-II, London- New York 1969/ 1970. - ROBERTS, J.M., History of Europe, England 1996**. Supplementary Readings: - CHADWICK, Henry, The Early Church, Great Britain 1984. - BAUSCH, William J. - Carol Ann CANNON- Robert E. OBACH, Pilgrim Church, 2004.* - ROGIER L. J.– R. AUBERT – M. D. KNOWLES (ed.), The Christian Centuries vol. I, London 1969. Matters of interest: Aspects of the pagan world. “Cities of the empire”: cf. How to read Church History, vol. I, 18-19; “Communications in the Roman Empire” cf. How to read Church History, vol.I, 21; “Language in the Roman Empire” cf. How to read Church History, vol.I, 20; “a society hard on the weak and slavery, women and children”, cf. How to read Church History, vol. I, 25, 27; “The Imperial cult” cf. How to read Church History, vol. I, 25. “Philosophy”, cf. How to read Church History, vol. I, 26. *http://books.google.com.mt/books/about/Pilgrim_Church.html?id=O0BxvlkvXs8C&redir_esc=y **Serves as a background to Church history |
||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
|
||||||||
| LECTURER/S | Nicholas Joseph Doublet |
||||||||
|
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
|||||||||