Historical Courses for the 2012 Fall Session

This introductory course explores Christianity’s formation and transformation from the post-apostolic era to the "Triumph of Orthodoxy" in the East and the Carolingian revival and Treaty of Verdun in the West in the year 843. Along the way, we will explore how Christians described their religious experience, practiced their faith, articulated and argued about their beliefs, and structured their ecclesial communities. We will learn about Christianity’s changing relationship to political power; its engagement with other religions and cultures; the lifestyles, theological mindsets, and models of community proposed and debated by Christian leaders; the political and theological challenges associated with the movement’s early marginalization, eventual expansion, encounter with Islam in the East and the "barbarians" in the West; and the formation of "Christian Europe."  Lecture, group discussions. Evaluation: practice quizzes, mid-term writing projects, choice of final exam or research paper.

A survey of the history of Christianity and an introduction to the study of Christian history. Lecture. Book review, seminar participation, mid-term exam, final exam. Mandatory seminar.

Development of thought and piety; monasticism and mendicants; crusades, parish life; papacy, princes and church councils; Byzantium; East-West relations; relations with Jews and Muslims; Renaissance and reformations; reformers; missionary expansion; confessionalism.  The course will consist of lectures and class discussions.  GRADING PROCEDURES:  In-class discussions, short essay, long essay.

An introduction to Patristic thought to 451 AD, surveying principal writers East and West. Detailed study of Athanasius On the Incarnation and The Tome of Leo. Lectures, readings, four short reports and a final oral examination.

This introductory course examines the history of Christianity from the Peace of Westphalia (1648) to the end of the twentieth century. As will be demonstrated throughout the course, the major catalyst for change has been, and continues to be, the constant tension between the inherently static nature of the historic Church and the forces of modernity. Throughout the course we will see how modern culture, which includes but is not limited to, contemporary politics, philosophy, literature, and painting, exercised an overwhelming influence on the development of eighteenth-century, nineteenth-century, and twentieth-century Christianity. Two short research summaries submitted online (40%), participation (20%), final exam submitted online (40%)

This course traces the evolution and diversity of Christianity in North America from the first contact between Europeans and First Nations to the present day. Reading a broad array of primary and secondary sources, we will pay particular attention to the divergent courses of Christianity in Canada and the United States, especially in regard to relations between church and state, religion’s role in politics, and attitudes toward religious pluralism. One short midterm paper (20%) and one longer final paper (70%). Class participation is required (10%).

The course will tell the various aspects of the creation of the Crusader phenomenon. The Conquest of the country and the conflicts with the neighbouring countries. Who were the people who lived beyond the borders of the kingdom. Did they accept at least for a while the Christian presence in the Middle East, the organization of the Kingdom, the wars the Crusaders had to conduct, the legal system of the Kingdom, and many other aspects of the phenomenon. Teaching Method: Lectures & Reading. Means of Evaluation: One Essay 80%/Participation 20% Class Attendance.

The course will explore significant ways that Christians have thought about the arts, artistry and art culture in Eastern and Western Christendom. The course will compare the varieties of theologies of art that have emerged from within the Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions as well as consider what distinguishes a "theology" of art by investigating historical and contemporary conceptions of art and theology. The study will involve looking at paintings, icons, altarpieces, and socially and culturally engaged works of art as well as pertinent theological writings. Students will be evaluated on class participation, seminar presentations, and a research paper on an approved topic. The methodology used in the course will be a mix of lecture and class discussion on assigned readings. Class participation, 20%; seminar presentations, 30%; Major research paper, 50%.

Historical context and enduring influence of key theologians during the Silver Age of Russian culture: Vladimir Soloviev, Sergei Bulgakov, Pavel Florensky. Reading and analysis of representative works. Seminar, major essay. Lectures, seminars and discussion of texts.

In light of recent renewed interest in the meanings and mechanisms of empathy in such areas as ethics, visual studies, and the philosophy of the mind, this course examines the place and role of compassion in the development of the Western aesthetics tradition. Considering a range of art theoretical texts, literature, and images for which the theme of compassion has been thought able to account for certain of the emotional and cognitive links that exist between artwork and its audience.

The course will tell the various aspects of the creation of the Crusader phenomenon. The Conquest of the country and the conflicts with the neighbouring countries. Who were the people who lived beyond the borders of the kingdom. Did they accept at least for a while the Christian presence in the Middle East, the organization of the Kingdom, the wars the Crusaders had to conduct, the legal system of the Kingdom, and many other aspects of the phenomenon. Teaching Method: Lectures & Reading. Means of Evaluation: One Essay 80%/Participation 20% Class Attendance.

The course will explore significant ways that Christians have thought about the arts, artistry and art culture in Eastern and Western Christendom. The course will compare the varieties of theologies of art that have emerged from within the Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions as well as consider what distinguishes a "theology" of art by investigating historical and contemporary conceptions of art and theology. The study will involve looking at paintings, icons, altarpieces, and socially and culturally engaged works of art as well as pertinent theological writings. Students will be evaluated on class participation, seminar presentations, and a research paper on an approved topic. The methodology used in the course will be a mix of lecture and class discussion on assigned readings. Class participation, 20%; seminar presentations, 30%; Major research paper, 50%.

A careful study of a book of the Summa contra Gentiles, where Aquinas explores Christian doctrines as an exercise in personally appropriating divine wisdom. The course teaches a method of close textual reading, and will interest students seeking an accessible introduction to Aquinas, those seeking an overall view of his methodology, and those preparing comprehensive exams in theology. Lectures and seminars. Assignments for 3551: 2 short papers, 2 learning reports, final take home exam. Assignments for 6551: 2 short papers, preparing and giving a 1 hour lecture, final exegetical essay.

A careful study of a book of the Summa contra Gentiles, where Aquinas explores Christian doctrines as an exercise in personally appropriating divine wisdom. The course teaches a method of close textual reading, and will interest students seeking an accessible introduction to Aquinas, those seeking an overall view of his methodology, and those preparing comprehensive exams in theology. Lectures and seminars. Assignments for 3551: 2 short papers, 2 learning reports, final take home exam. Assignments for 6551: 2 short papers, preparing and giving a 1 hour lecture, final exegetical essay.