RT4103: The Story of Christianity

School Religion
Department Code SHARE
Module Code RT4103
External Subject Code 100795
Number of Credits 20
Level L4
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader null null null
Semester Autumn Semester
Academic Year 2014/5

Outline Description of Module

The Story of Christianity aims to introduce you to the theological and historical traditions of the Christian religion and provide you with an overview of Christianity in its historical context.

On completion of the module a student should be able to

  • Identify and make use of the various sources available to Christian historical study
  • Set the major movements of Christianity within an over-arching historical framework
  • Demonstrate the ability to present a competent written and adequately structured and argued essay that is both accurate and apposite in its use of references and bibliography.

How the module will be delivered

This module employs two methods of teaching, lectures and seminars. The lectures are delivered by two lecturers. Their input will provide you with an overall perspective on the content of the course.  In addition, the seminars will provide an opportunity for debate and dialogue with peers and teachers. The seminars are a vital element of the whole module and essential for you to develop the critical and analytical ideas, topics and skills needed for writing essays and preparing exams.

Skills that will be practised and developed

Knowledge and Understanding:

Set the major movements of Christianity within an over-arching historical framework

State, discuss and demonstrate a critical comprehension of the historical expressions of the Christian tradition

Represent and evaluate the primary and secondary resources necessary for the telling of the Christian story

Intellectual and Discipline Specific Skills:

Evidence an understanding of the various historical approaches to the study of Christian theology.

Identify and make use of the various sources available to the theological historian

Demonstrate an understanding of the multi-faceted complexity of the Christian narrative and the interrelatedness of belief, text, historical institutions and wider social and cultural influences on the development of Christian thought

Transferable Skills:

Demonstrate the ability to present a competent written and adequately structured and argued essay that is both accurate and apposite in its use of references and bibliography.

Be able to identify, gather and analyse source material in the reconstruction of events and view points

Represent the views of others with integrity and critical reflection

Be able to make discriminating use of learning resources and IT facilities

How the module will be assessed

This module carries three elements of assessment as follows:

An essay of 1,500 words due 35%

A seminar presentation 15%

A one and a half-hour examination at the end of Semester 50%

Full participation in the seminars is considered to be an important part of the learning experience for this module, so in order to be eligible for the mark awarded for the presentation you must have attended at least 80% of the seminars (unless you can provide clear evidence, e.g. a medical certificate, of why you have missed a session).

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Exam - Autumn Semester 50 The Story Of Christianity 1.5
Written Assessment 35 Coursework - Essay N/A
Written Assessment 15 Coursework - Presentation N/A

Syllabus content

Christian identity in relation to Judaism: Christian beginnings

Christian identity in relation to the Greek and Roman world

Christian identity in relation to persecution

Christian identity in relation to the State: Constantine

The theological identity of Christianity: Creeds & Councils

The tension between a ‘ruling’ and ‘renouncing’ identity

A divided identity: The Great Schism

A questioning identity: The background to the Reformation

Prophecy and Order

Searching for the True Church I: A Reformation Dream

Searching for the True Church II (cont. from 15th March)

Can a Pure Church be Found?: The Puritan Hope

Steeple Houses and Meeting Places: Dissenting Fervour

Conversion of the Heart: The Evangelical Revival

The Renewal of Heart and Mind: The Oxford Movement

Rescue the Perishing, Care for the Dying: The Social Gospel

Open the Windows: Vatican II

One Faith, One Lord, One Baptism: One Church?

Essential Reading and Resource List

Essential reading for the seminars

The seminars will follow this text and you should make sure you have access to a copy.

Diarmaid MacCulloch Christian History: An Introduction (to the Western Tradition) Peterborough: Epworth, 2006

ISBN-10: 0716206242

ISBN-13: 978-0716206248

Background Reading and Resource List

Recommended reading for the whole course

Indicative Reading and Resource List:

Diarmaid MacCulloch, A History of Christianity (London: Penguin, 2009)

González, J. L., Church History. An Essential Guide (Nashville: Abingdon, 1996)

Küng, H., The Catholic Church. A Short History (New York: Weidenfeld, 2001)

Lindberg, Carter, A Brief History of Christianity (Oxford: Blackwell, 2006)

Noll, M. A., Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000)

Tomkins, Stephen, A Short History of Christianity (Lion,2005)

which is a key part of this module. A good and easy read.?Chidester, David,Christianity: A Global History (New York: Harper Collins, 2000)

Balling, Jakob, The Story of Christianity: From Birth to Global Presence (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2003)

Edwards, D. L., Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years (London: Cassell, 1997) (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000)

González, Justo L., The Story of Christianity: The Early Church to the Present Day (Peabody, MA: Prince Press, 1984, 1985)

Hastings, A. (Ed.), A World History of Christianity (London: Cassell, 1999)

Johnson, P., A History of Christianity (London: Pelican, 1976)?

MacCulloch, D., Groundwork of Christian History (London: Epworth, 1987)

Walker, Williston, A History of the Christian Church (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1997).


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