THEO2003
Late Medieval and Reformation Studies
10 Units
Not available in 2013
Previously offered in 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008
This course provides students with an overview of the development of Christianity in the tumultous period between 1400 and 1700, when Christian life and thought was divisively recast in the face of new cultural, social, political and technological changes. Through lectures and workshop programme, students will be introduced to key features and factors in the theological and ecclesial transformations which gave rise to a wide variety of new expressions of Christianity, both within and beyond traditional structures.
Following an exploration of the currents of late medieval Christian life and thought, the course outlines and critically examines how Reformations took place in different parts of Europe with varying characteristics. The major figures and their thought, and the key turning-points and controversies are explored, together with reflection upon their relationship to developments in popular religion and societal change.
| Objectives | The aim of the course is to: * Introduce students to foundational aspects of Christian life and theology as formed by the historical developments of the Church between 1400 and 1700; * Enable students to engage with the diversity of key approaches to the sources of Christian Faith as part of the continuing development of Christian thought and praxis; * Provide students with illustrative examples of formative Christian life and theology as the expression of changing Christian identities under the pressure of different social contexts; * Enable students to develop their theological judgments about particular doctrinal developments in relation to their historical contexts. |
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| Content | Lectures Students will be required to attend 2 x one hour lectures and a one hour seminar on the theme of the lectures each week. Themes for the lectures may include: currents in late medieval Christianity (Papalism, Conciliarism and Mysticism, Humanism and Scholasticism); influence of popes and princes (aspects of the German Reformation); and the influence of key figures like Martin Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, Anabaptists, Cranmer and the Anglican Reformation in England, Catholic reformation and the Council of Trent; Ignatius and new currents in Roman Catholic spirituality; religious settlements by the 17th Century, and what had changed. Seminars The seminar programme will encourage students to become familiar with a number of foundational primary texts as an indication of the vast array of diverse resources available within Christian history. It is expected that students will both contribute to, and at times lead, discussions as a part of the assessment regime of the course. The readings for the workshops will include the relevant primary documents in Carter Lindberg, The European Reformations Sourcebook (New York: Blackwell, 1999), together with appropriate sections of the other core texts and other relevant required resources. |
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| Replacing Course(s) | Not applicable | ||||
| Transition | Not applicable | ||||
| Industrial Experience | 0 | ||||
| Assumed Knowledge | Nil | ||||
| Modes of Delivery | Internal Mode | ||||
| Teaching Methods | Lecture
Seminar |
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| Assessment Items |
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| Contact Hours | Seminar: for 1 hour(s) per Week for Full Term Lecture: for 2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term |