DESCRIPTION: This course provides an introduction to the historical and theological developments of the church from the time of the Apostolic Fathers through the Augustinian era.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The history of the early church forms the foundation for the ecclesial developments of subsequent centuries up to the present day. This course will introduce students to the people, events, and discourses that shaped the essential theological commitments of the church. By examining the processes through which the church came to formulate her stance on, e.g., the Trinity, the person and saving function of Christ, and the relationship between the church and the Roman Empire, students will come to understand their own traditions' doctrinal commitments against the backdrop of early catholic Christianity. A fuller appreciation of the church's earliest history will enable students to understand and embrace her doctrines, faithfully hand on her traditions, thoughtfully assess her place in society, and diligently attend to her interests and mission.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who have successfully completed this course will (1) have demonstrated familiarity with the historical background against which early catholic Christianity developed during the first five centuries, with the development of essential doctrines and practices of the church, and with the vocabulary of the early church's theological debates, particularly those surrounding the Trinitarian and Christological controversies; (2) will have demonstrated insight into both the geographically specific distinctiveness and the overarching unity of the early church; and (3) will have been able to locate their own traditions' theological and liturgical practices in the context of their late ancient origins; and (4) will have developed basic skills in reading and critically examining primary source texts from this era, as demonstrated in their fulfillment of the course requirements.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet daily for four-hour sessions for two weeks. Students are expected to prepare for individual class sessions by completing reading assignments that will form the basis of in-class discussions.

REQUIRED READING:

Chadwick, Henry. The Early Church. Rev. ed. London; New York: Penguin, 1993. 281 pages.

Ehrman, Bart D., and Andrew S. Jacobs. Christianity in Late Antiquity, 300-450 A.D.: A Reader. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003. Selections, ca. 150 pages.

Supplementary readings via Moodle will be posted online, including the Martyrdom of Polycarp, selections from the Diary of Egeria, and the Rules of Rabbula. 70 pages.

Students will select with the instructor's assistance one of the following texts for their final paper:

Augustine of Hippo. Confessions. (Oxford World's Classics.) Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009. 304 pages.

Gregory of Nyssa. Ascetical Works. (Fathers of the Church.) Washington, DC: Catholic University of America Press, 1999. 288 pages.

1. Three five-page papers analyzing select texts from late ancient Christianity, totaling 70% of the final grade.

2. A take-home final examination covering the textbook readings and lectures is weighted at 25% of the final grade.

3. The remaining 5% of the course grade will be reserved for demonstrably diligent preparation, e.g., by contributing to a class blog and actively participating in in-class small-group discussions.