A GLOBAL HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY A SURVEY Knox College, Room 4, Tuesdays 2 4 PM Instructor: David Robinson

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1 KNH1015HF FALL 2010 A GLOBAL HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY A SURVEY Knox College, Room 4, Tuesdays 2 4 PM Instructor: David Robinson david.robinson@utoronto.ca Instructor I m a PhD candidate at the University of St. Michael s College in the area of Patristics. As a teacher, I wish to lead my students to a broader knowledge and deeper appreciation of the history, theology, and spirituality of early Christianity, and to relate this understanding to their own spiritual life and ministry in the contemporary church. Course Description The course introduces students to the methods and study of the history of Christianity, and surveys major events and trends in Christian history. As a survey course, topics will not be covered in extensive detail or at great depth; rather, the course will allow students to place events in their proper chronological order and cultural context which will allow for more detailed study of topics later in further courses at TST and as needed in congregational ministry or further graduate study. The course comprises a weekly two-hour lecture (Tuesdays 2 4 PM, Room 4) and a weekly one-hour seminar (Tuesdays 12 1 PM, Room 3; or, Thursdays 1 2 PM, Room 2) Course Objectives Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies In successfully completing this course, a student will be able to: 1. Demonstrate ethical behaviour, taking responsibility for the expectations of the course and showing respect and a willingness to listen in the learning atmosphere including class discussions and small groups. 2. Demonstrate an introductory knowledge of the topics covered by the course in the survey of Global Christianity o Identify major time periods, events, and peoples in the history of Global Christianity. 3. Demonstrate an introductory knowledge of the methods used in historical study: o Identify and apply the distinction between primary and secondary historical sources. o Identify, define, and describe the use of the major historical methods. o Apply critical methods to the interpretation of history following models demonstrated in class. KNH1015HF: A Global History of Christianity A Survey 1

2 4. Demonstrate at an introductory level a willingness and ability to discuss historiographical issues arising from the study of history: o Identify one s own biases which are brought to the study of primary and secondary sources. o Summarize the biases and assumptions of other historians. 5. Demonstrate the skills necessary for graduate-level study of the history of Christianity: o Gather and select information from reading appropriate to assigned tasks. o Communicate clearly in both oral and written forms, using good organizational formats and proper research formats. o Show a willingness to assess one s own work. Texts 1. Hastings, Adrian, ed. A World History of Christianity. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, (Available at Crux bookstore) 2. Other assigned primary source readings are available on Blackboard. ASSIGNMENTS Minor Paper (15%) Due 12 October Read Rodney Stark s, Preface and Conversion and Christian Growth [Chapter 1] in The Rise of Christianity: A Sociologist Reconsiders History. Write a short essay (2000 word max.) discussing the concept of bias in history by considering and responding to the questions: o What is the author s bias? o How is this bias evident? o How does it affect the evidence chosen, or the way the argument is presented? o What is your own bias? o How do you respond to the author s treatment? Evaluative criteria: ability to identify assumptions (one s own, others); ability to communicate in writing (marking rubrics will be provided) Midterm (25%) 2 November Short answers, multiple choice, identify, and true/false Evaluative criteria: knowledge of material and content of course; major time periods, events, people during the first half of the course Seminar Presentation (20%) Students will give a 15-minute seminar presentation on a primary to their classmates. The presentation will: o concisely locate the primary source in its historical and literary context; o summarize the content of the primary source; o suggest areas where the primary source displays attitudes to Christian faith which are different from contemporary understandings. Evaluative criteria: understanding of the primary source and its context; oral skills in communicating the content (marking rubrics will be provided) KNH1015HF: A Global History of Christianity A Survey 2

3 Final Exam (40%) 14 December Students will use information gathered from the readings and lectures to construct an historical argument related to the questions. (Exam questions will be essay questions and will be available prior to the examination.) Evaluative criteria: ability to construct historical arguments; written communication skills (marking rubrics will be provided) GRADING Minor Paper (15%) due 12 October Midterm (25%) 2 November Seminar Presentation (20%) Final Examination (40%) 14 December COURSE POLICIES Policies for courses are contained in the TST Basic Degree Handbook and the Knox Student Handbook. In particular note: Consultation Please do not hesitate to consult the instructor about any questions or concerns that you may have about the course. Guidelines for Essays 1. Essays must be double-spaced, with one inch margins and 12 pt Times New Roman font. Papers do not need a title page. 2. Essays must include an introductory/thesis paragraph, the main body of text, and a concluding/summary paragraph. 3. Essays must conform to the Chicago style summarized by Kate L. Turabian in A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (Chicago, latest ed.). 4. All students should be familiar with the TST Basic Degree Handbook. The academic regulations and procedures outlined therein will be strictly adhered to by the instructor. 5. All essays must be submitted on the appropriate due date. Late papers will receive a reduced grade. Academic Dishonesty Academic dishonesty is a serious offence in the academic world. Examples of academic honesty include: plagiarism, the submission of work that is not one s own or for which previous credit has been obtained, and/or unauthorized collaboration with other students. Academic dishonesty can result in severe consequences: failure of the assignment, failure of the course, a notation on the transcript, and/or suspension or expulsion from the university. It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty (see the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters in the TST Basic Degree Handbook ( and KNH1015HF: A Global History of Christianity A Survey 3

4 Late Policy Completion of Course Work Use of Technology Blackboard 4 points deducted per week late (2 off by Thursday, 2 more by Monday) All course work (including any late work) must be completed by the end of term, the last day of exams. Only in the case of illness (with a note from a doctor), bereavement or other unusual circumstances will an extension be considered and this must be authorized by the Basic Degree Committee and the Faculty. Laptops and other computing devices may be used in the classroom for note taking purposes only. The use of the Internet is not permitted while class is in session unless it is part of a specific class activity. Students wishing to text message, search for images, fact check, etc. should do so during the break or outside of class. Much of the learning that goes on in the classroom is founded upon mutual disclosure that takes place between the instructor and the student and between students. Parties outside of that learning community have not committed themselves to this relationship of trust. For this and other reasons, permission to record lectures in audio format is granted for use by registered students only. Video recording is not permitted without the written permission of the instructor. Recordings and notes of class lectures may not be electronically reproduced, posted or distributed without the written permission of the instructor. Additional information, course announcements, etc. will be made via Blackboard. Please read the following instructions and long onto the course module on Blackboard. Logging into Blackboard: 1. Enter the university's Blackboard portal 2. It is recommended that you enter the Blackboard port using Mozilla Firefox as web browser (not Explorer). To install Firefox on your computer,go to and click on Download Firefox, then click Run. 3. The Blackboard portal requires that you log-in using your UTORid and password. (Students enrolling in a course via ROSI will be automatically enrolled in their Blackboard courses within hours.) 4. Next click on Log In. If you have any problems, please contact portal.help@utoronto.ca and they will help direct your query to the appropriate department. 5. After logging into the portal, you will see a panel of modules, hotspots and tools. The panel called My Courses Panel should contain the name of this course. Click on the course title. 6. This will take you to the Announcements section of your course. Please read this week s announcement, if there is one. (Note that the tabs labelled view last 7 days, view last 30 days, view all, refer to the announcements for the duration of the course.) 7. Take time to review the Course Menu on the left side of the screen. This gives you access to the Course Documents button, where you will find the documents for this course. KNH1015HF: A Global History of Christianity A Survey 4

5 SCHEDULE OF LECTURES AND READINGS Week 1 14 September Course Introduction: Historiography and the Global History of Christianity Week 2 21 September Early Christianity I: Christianity and empire Reading: World History, pp.1-42; The Correspondence of Pliny No Seminar Week 3 28 September Early Christianity II: The spiritual life (martyrs, monks, and worship) Reading: World History, pp Seminar (conjoined): The Martyrdom of Pepetua and Felicity The Life of Anthony of Egypt Week 4 5 October Early Christianity III: The development of doctrine: Creeds, councils, and controversies Reading: World History, pp Seminar: Gregory of Nazianzus, Oration 20 Leo the Great, Sermon 25: On Christmas Week 5 12 October Christianity Beyond the West I: Byzantium and beyond Reading: World History, pp , Seminar: John of Damascus, On Divine Images Chinese Christian Sutras Week 6 19 October Christianity in the Medieval West I: The conversion of Europe Reading: World History, pp Seminar: The Rule of Benedict (prologue, 1-7, 16, 22-28, 39-40, 48, 64) Acts of the Third Council of Toledo 26 October Reading Week (read ahead in World History) Week 7 2 November Midterm KNH1015HF: A Global History of Christianity A Survey 5

6 Week 8 9 November Christianity in the Medieval West II Reading: World History, pp Seminar: Njal s Saga ( ) Clare of Assisi, First Letter to Blessed Agnes of Prague Week 9 16 November Western Reformations: A corrupt church or a healthy church? Reading: World History, pp Seminar: Martin Luther, Preface to the Epistle to the Romans John Calvin, A Short Treatise on the Lord s Supper Week November Christianity in Europe and America: the church and modernity Reading: World History, pp Seminar: How to Make Historical Arguments Week November Christianity Beyond the West II: Asia, Africa, and Latin America Reading: World History, pp , Seminar: Bartolomé de Las Casas. The Only Method of Converting the Indians and Abolish the Encomienda! Week 12 7 December Western Decline, World Growth Seminar: The Barmen Declaration Martin Luther King, Jr., I Have a Dream Final Exam 14 December KNH1015HF: A Global History of Christianity A Survey 6

7 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF PRIMARY SOURCE READINGS 1. The Correspondence of Pliny. In Earliest Christianity to Vol. 1 of Readings in World Christian History. Edited by John W. Coakley and Andrea Sterk, Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Press, The Martyrdom of Pepetua and Felicity. In Earliest Christianity to Vol. 1 of Readings in World Christian History. Edited by John W. Coakley and Andrea Sterk, Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Press, Athanasius. Life of Anthony of Egypt. In Earliest Christianity to Vol. 1 of Readings in World Christian History. Edited by John W. Coakley and Andrea Sterk, Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Press, Gregory of Nazianzus. Oration 20: On Theology, and the Appointment of Bishops. In Gregory of Nazianzus, edited, translated, and introduced by Brian E. Daley, S.J. The Early Church Fathers, London: Routledge, Leo the Great. Sermon 25 [On Christmas]. In St. Leo the Great. Sermons, translated by Jane Patricia Freeland and Agnes Josephine Conway. The Fathers of the Church 93, Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press, John of Damascus. On the Divine Images. In Earliest Christianity to Vol. 1 of Readings in World Christian History. Edited by John W. Coakley and Andrea Sterk, Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Press, Chinese Christian Sutras. In Earliest Christianity to Vol. 1 of Readings in World Christian History. Edited by John W. Coakley and Andrea Sterk, Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Press, The Rule of Saint Benedict. Edited by Timothy Fry, O.S.B. Vintage Spiritual Classics. New York: Vintage Books, Acts of the Third Council of Toledo. In Earliest Christianity to Vol. 1 of Readings in World Christian History. Edited by John W. Coakley and Andrea Sterk, Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Press, Njal s Saga. Translated by Robert Cook. London: Penguin Books, (pp ) 11. Clare of Assisi. The First Letter to Blessed Agnes of Prague. In Francis and Clare. The Complete Works, translated and introduced by Regis J. Armstrong and Ignatius C. Brady. The Classics of Western Spirituality, New York: Paulist Press, Calvin, John. A Short Treatise on the Lord s Supper. Translated by J.K.S. Reid. In John Calvin: Selections from His Writings, edited by Emilie Griffen, San Francisco: HarperCollins, Luther, Martin. Preface to the Epistle to the Romans. In Luther s Spirituality, edited and translated by Philip D.W. Krey and Peter D.S. Krey, New York: Paulist Press, Bartolomé de Las Casas. The Only Method of Converting the Indians and Abolish the Encomienda! In Witness. Writings of Bartolomé de Las Casas. Edited and translated by George Sanderlin, , Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, The Barmen Declaration. In The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). Part 1: Book of Confessions. Louisville, KY: The Office of the General Assembly, Online: Martin Luther King, Jr. I Have a Dream. Online: KNH1015HF: A Global History of Christianity A Survey 7