Course Description
Topics and problems concerning Christianity, with emphasis upon extensive reading in primary sources and individual and/or group research projects. Selection of topics will vary with instructor and interest of students.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Additional readings and a research paper along with more
extensive examinations to reflect the additional
responsibilities.
Athena Title
Topics in Christianity
Prerequisite
Permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
• To focus on reading primary source texts in various areas in the study of Christianity, such as history, theology, biblical studies, archeology, Christianity in America, Church-State relations, Christianity and society, Christian ethics, ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, and so on. • To teach students research methods and to foster independent research. • To strengthen high-level critical thinking skills, such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation, by means of activities and assessments, such as reading, reflection, discussion, essays, papers, reports, and examinations. • To strengthen skills in written composition by means of activities and assessments, such as reflection questions, essays, papers, reports, online discussions, and examinations. • To strengthen skills in oral expression and dialogue by means of activities and assessments, such as presentations, discussions, debates, and oral examinations. • To enhance and facilitate computer literacy by the use of word processing, the E-Learning Commons (eLC), web-based research, and multi-media course materials and assessments. • To assist in the continued development of moral and ethical reasoning and reflection by encouraging creative thinking regarding individual and community concerns and needs, the challenging of prejudices and stereotypes, and examining rational and ethical bases of constructive social interactions.
Topical Outline
Topical outline may vary according to professor and topic. An example below concerns History and Catholic Studies. “The Great Catholic Councils: From Nicaea to Vatican II." I. Before the East-West Schism a. Rules of Faith (2nd – 3rd century) b. Nicaea (325) c. Constantinople (381) d. Ephesus (431) e. Chalcedon (451) f. Constantinople II (553) g. Constantinople III (680) h. Nicaea II (787) i. Constantinople IV (869-870 Catholic; 879-880 Orthodox) II. High and Late Middle Ages a. The First Four Lateran Councils (1123-1215) b. Lyon I (1245) c. Lyon II (1272-1274) d. Vienne (1311-1312) e. Constance (1414-1418) f. Florence (1431-1449) g. Lateran V (1512-1517) III. Reformation and Modern Era a. Trent (1545-1563) b. Vatican I (1870) IV. Vatican II (1963-1965)