Course Catalogue

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This is a Masters level (piggy back) version of a TRS honours course (4102) and will explore the development of the Christian church and its theology from the Apostolic Fathers through the patristic period. Attention will focus on the definition of orthodoxy, the development of church order, the role of women, and the socio-political context of Christian development. Masters and honours students will share seminars, but the Masters programme will have distinct assessments. Masters students will make presentations to the class in order to develop their depth of knowledge and enhance their learning experience, for which they will receive formative feedback from the course tutors. For those intending to pursue academic careers, this will assist them in developing essential skills and experience.

10 x 2hr seminars as scheduled on MyCampus

Requires Videoconferencing facilities

Standard entry to Masters at College level

TRS4102

None

 The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ 1 x 1,000-word book review (20%) 

■ 1 x 4,000-word research essay (80%) 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: 

■ There are no alternatives to the assessments, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.  

This course aims to:

■ analyse the diverse development of Christian theology and the church in its earliest centuries;

■ evaluate critically with primary sources which offer evidence of this development;

■ compare the impact of multifaceted political, religious, and cultural influences on the Christianity of Late Antiquity;

■ assess a range of historiographical interpretations of this period.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Appraise and critically engage with different interpretative perspectives on the early Church

■ Assess a wide range of critical and theoretical approaches to the development of Christianity and the underlying reasons for that development

■ Frame arguments effectively in speech and in writing at an advanced level

■ Demonstrate sophisticated research, analytical and writing skills

Design independent study, identifying, researching and writing on an aspect of the development of Christian theology and history during the early period