HIST 3238 History of Christianity Spring 2008, ABAH 245 M,W,F 2:00-2:50 Dr. Steven Matthews Course Description: This course examines the origin and development of the world s largest religion. Fully one third of the population of the globe today (more than two billion people) adheres to some form of Christianity. But the historical influence of Christianity extends far beyond its active adherents: it has played a role in the development of cultures around the globe, from its origins in the Mediterranean and the mideast, to India and China, lost African Empires, and the civilizations of the West. It has contributed to music and art, literature and philosophy, political theory and the rise of nations, the development of modern science, and even the development of modern atheism. In spite of its significance, its history and development are largely forgotten, even by Christians themselves. This course will acquaint students particularly with the first centuries of the history of the Christian religion so that its contours may be recognized in later developments, and the phenomenon of its rise to dominance may be better understood. There will also be a significant focus on the Eastern forms of Christianity, or Christianity as it is found in Eastern Europe and Asia. Although social, cultural, and political factors will be considered, the course is primarily focused on the intellectual history of Christianity: examining the development of teachings and ideas which were powerful enough to convert philosophers, rulers, and common people alike, crossing all racial and ethnic boundaries, and which set the stage for the development of empires and the unifying of warrior tribes into what would become Western Europe. A textbook will provide the narrative framework for the history of the movement but a strong focus of the course is on primary sources, the raw material of history, to introduce students to the methods of historical research and to allow the voices of early Christians to teach the history themselves. Texts which you are required to buy: Williston Walker, et. al., A History of the Christian Church, fourth edition. Timothy Ware, The Orthodox Church, revised edition. NOTE: Other readings for the course are available from online sources, including the instructor s web page. It is assumed that you are familiar with the internet and the online resources of the library. If this is not the case, see me. Many of the online readings may be obtained for offline use, free of charge, if the student provides a CD. Special Facilities and/or Arrangements: If you have a physical or cultural condition, either permanent or temporary, which you believe makes it difficult for you to participate in and/or complete the requirements of this course in the time and manner prescribed, please let me know by the end of the first week of instruction. Adaptation of methods, materials, or testing may be made as required. It is your responsibility to contact the Access Center for advice regarding adaptations. Course Schedule: Week 1: Course Introduction W (01/21) Course Introduction F (01/23) Backgrounds of Early Christianity, part 1. The Greco-Roman World; Greco-Roman Religion and Philosophy. Reading Assignment: Walker: period 1, chapters 1& 2. 1
Week 2: The Christ M (01/26) Backgrounds, part 2. The Jewish Context. Reading Assignment: Walker: period 1, chapters 3 through 7. W(01/28) Backgrounds part 2. The Jewish Context, continued. Intro. to the Gospel of Mark. F(01/30) The Gospel of Mark in context. Reading Assignment: Gospel of Mark. Week 3: The Movement M(02/02) Christian Organization and Life: Transformation of the Jewish model. Introduction to the Didache. Reading Assignment: Walker: period 1, chapters 8 and 9, AND period 2, chapters 12-14. W(02/04) Christian Organization and Life, continued. Introduction to the Didache. F (02/06) Early varieties of Christianity and the Didache. Reading Assignment: The Didaché Cyril Richardson translation. (available online) Week 4: Growing Pains M(02/09) Relating to the Outside: The Church, the Roman State, and Philosophy. Reading Assignment: Walker: Period 1, chapters 10 & 11. W(02/11) Discussion of Justin Martyr: Second Apology. Reading Assignment: Justin Martyr, Second Apology. (Available online or on disk.) F(02/13) Introduction to Gnosticism, Marcion, and Montanism. Reading Assignment: Walker: Period II, chapters 1, 2 & 3. Week 5: Reaction and Consolidation *M(02/16) The development of the mainstream. Development of the Canon. Reading Assignment: Walker: Period II, chapters 4 through 7. ASSIGNMENT DUE: Primary Source Report on Ignatius of Antioch s Letter to the Magnesians. W(02/18) Development of the Canon concluded. Irenaeus of Lyon: Against Heresies. Intro. to Gnostic Gospels. Reading Assignment: Irenaeus of Lyon, Against Heresies, Book 1, selections. (Available online and on disk.) F(02/20) Irenaeus, concluded. Intro. to Gnostic Gospels. Reading Assignment: Irenaeus of Lyon, Against Heresies, Book 5, selections. (Available online and on disk.) Week 6: Gnosticism concluded and Test M(02/23) Gnostic Gospels. Reading Assignment: ALL read The Gospel of Thomas (Available online.) Class will be divided between Gospel of Judas, and Apocalypse of Peter (both available online). W(02/25) Gnostic Gospels, concluded. Review for test. **F(02/27) TEST 1. Week 7: Perpetua s Passion M(03/02) Return of Test 1. W(03/04) Introduction to Martyrdom and the Memory of the Saints. F(03/06) Discussion of the Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicity. Reading Assignment: The Passion of the Holy Martyrs Perpetua and Felicity. (Available Online). 2
Week 8: Conflict in the long Third Century M(03/09) Discussion of the Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus of Rome. Reading Assignment: Hippolytus of Rome, Apostolic Tradition (available online) W(03/11) Philosophical questions and the nature of Christ. Reading Assignment: Walker: period 2, chapters 8-11. F(03/13) Heresies: a how-to. Transition. Reading Assignment: Walker, period 2, chapters 15-19. SPRING BREAK Week 9: Legalization and the Arian Conflict. M (03/23) The Emperor s new groove. Intro. to Arianism. Reading Assignment: Walker: Period 3, chapters 1-2. W (03/25) Arianism, part 2, and the first two Councils. Reading Assignment: Walker: Period 3, chapters 3-4. F (03/27) The Arian conflict, concluded. People on the move (both Germans and Monks -- hmmm...) Reading Assignment: Walker: period 3, chapters 5-7. Week 10: Further Debates, Decisions, and Revisions **M (03/30) Intro. to the Later Christological controversies. Reading Assignment: Walker: period 3, chapters 8 & 9. ASSIGNMENT DUE: Primary source report on Athanasius Life of Anthony W (04/01) The Later Christological controversies continued. Reading Assignment: Walker: period 3, chapters 10-11. F (04/03) Other Fourth Century developments. Reading Assignment: Walker: period 3, chapters 12-13. Week 11: Test and Transition M (04/06) Wrap-up and review. **W (04/08) Test 2. F (04/10) Return of Test 2. Week 12: Jerome and Augustine. M(04/13) Intro. to Western Christianity. Reading Assignment: Walker, period 3, chapter 14. W(04/15) Jerome. Intro. to Augustine. Reading Assignment: Walker: period 3, chapters 15-16. F(04/17) Augustine and the Pelagian Controversy. Reading Assignment: Walker: period 3, chapters 17-18. Week 13: Pelagianism concluded and Expansion. M (04/20) The Pelagian Controversy concluded. Reading Assignment: Walker: period 3, chapter 19. W (04/22) Intro. to Gregory and European Conversions. Reading Assignment: Walker: period 4, chapter 1. F (04/24) Expansion of Christianity, the Empire of the Franks, intro. to Iconoclasm. Reading Assignment: Walker: period 4, chapters 2-5. 3
Week 14: Iconoclasm and Icons. M (04/27) The Iconoclastic Controversy. Reading Assignment: Walker: period 4, chapters 6-8. W (04/29) Western Christianity in the Medieval period. Reading Assignment: Walker: period 4, chapters 9-11. *F (05/01) Introduction to Icons and their theology. ASSIGNMENT DUE: Primary source report on John of Damascus, On the Divine Images Week 15: The View From the East, and Review. M (05/04) The Eastern Understanding of the Schism. Reading Assignment: Ware, chapters 1-3. W (05/06) Eastern Christian history, continued. Reading Assignment: Ware, chapters 4-6. F (05/08) Review for final exam. FINAL EXAMINATION: Tuesday, May 12, 12:00-1:55 Tests and Grades: Pay careful attention to test dates! No make-up will be given without a serious medical excuse (feel free to read into this such cheery phrases as: grave bodily injury, emergency room, and terminal condition, if it helps for understanding) and/or prior approval from the instructor. The final grade will be determined by three shorter written assignments and three tests. The three shorter written assignments are primary source reviews and will each be worth 5% of the grade. Each of the three tests is worth 25% of the grade. The final 10% of the grade is determined by class participation. Late assignments are not accepted. Grading is done on a 100-point scale 94-100 = A 77=C/C+ 93=A/A- 74-76=C 90-92=A- 73=C/C- 89=B+/A- 70-72=C- 88=B+ 69=D+/C- 87=B/B+ 68=D+ 84-86=B 67=D/D+ 83=B/B- 64-66=D 80-82=B- 63=D/D- 79=C+/B- 60-62=D- 78=C+ below 60=F Cheating or Plagiarism: Neither cheating nor plagiarism will be tolerated. The first instance of either will result in a grade of 0 for that assignment or examination. A second instance of either will result in a failing grade for the course. At the instructor s discretion, based upon the seriousness of the offense, the student who cheats or plagiarizes will be reported to the administration, and expulsion from the university may ultimately follow. Attendance: Regular attendance is necessary and you must be on time. Three unexcused absences or late arrivals will result in a one-half letter grade penalty. Four will result in a whole letter grade penalty. Five or more will result in a failing grade for the course. Absences will only be excused through prior arrangement with the instructor, or if they are the result of a serious medical problem (see the parenthetical under Tests and Grades, above.) 4
Academic Dishonesty (University Policy) Academic dishonesty tarnishes UMD's reputation and discredits the accomplishments of students. UMD is committed to providing students every possible opportunity to grow in mind and spirit. This pledge can only be redeemed in an environment of trust, honesty, and fairness. As a result, academic dishonesty is regarded as a serious offense by all members of the academic community. In keeping with this ideal, this course will adhere to UMD's Student Academic Integrity Policy, which can be found at www.d.umn.edu/ assl/conduct/integrity. This policy sanctions students engaging in academic dishonesty with penalties up to and including expulsion from the university for repeat offenders. Student Conduct Code (University Policy) The instructor will enforce and students are expected to follow the University's Student Conduct Code (http://www.d.umn.edu/assl/conduct/code). Appropriate classroom conduct promotes an environment of academic achievement and integrity. Disruptive classroom behavior that substantially or repeatedly interrupts either the instructor's ability to teach, or student learning, is prohibited. Disruptive behavior includes inappropriate use of technology in the classroom. Examples include ringing cell phones, text-messaging, watching videos, playing computer games, doing email, or surfing the Internet on your computer instead of note-taking or other instructor-sanctioned activities. Office Hours: M,W,F, 10:00-10:50 or by special arrangement with the instructor. ABAH 215 Phone ext.: 7544 Dr. Matthews email: smatthew@d.umn.edu Website: http://homepage.mac.com/hermetic1/ 5