Winter 2011/Pasadena
CH500
Ahn
CH500: EARLY CHURCH HISTORY [TAUGHT IN KOREAN]. Katherine H. Lee Ahn.
DESCRIPTION: This course surveys the historical development of Christian
people, organizations, and doctrines during the first five centuries of
Christian history. The course introduces the most important themes, people, and
movements that shaped Christian churches in the early Christian era. The class
will be conducted in the Korean language for students whose native language is
Korean.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: This course can help students identify the
origins of the most fundamental confessional and ecclesiastical traditions of
the Christian churches and understand the importance of faithfully handing on
her most essential traditions. As they study the historical process that led to
such pivotal doctrines as soteriology, Christology, and the Trinity, students
will learn to appreciate the importance of these doctrines today. The struggles
of the early Christians can also help students to better understand their own
struggles in this complex world and to reflect on ways that Christian faith can
be prudently implemented in contemporary contexts. They will also learn to
engage in theological discussions about issues relevant to the life of
Christians with greater historical sensitivity and patience.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
- Students will be able to identify and explain major theological
developments and historical events that shaped Christian churches during the
early Christian era of the first five centuries.
- Students will demonstrate through written and oral presentations their
ability to analyze and interpret data from primary and secondary sources and to
explain their significance in historical contexts.
- Students will be able to explain the essential characteristics of major
ecclesiastical decisions and traditions that took place during the early
Christian era with critical awareness and reflection on their historical
significance.
- Students will be challenged to reevaluate some of their own religious
assumptions and judgments in light of the diversity, complexity, and struggles
revealed in the study of early Christian history.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for three-and-a-half-hour
sessions.
REQUIRED READING:
- Gonzalez, Justo L. The Story of Christianity. Vol. 1. New
York, New York: Harper Collins, 1985. (Korean Translation. Tr. Young Il Suh Eun
Sung, 1987) -- Korean books Out of Print.
- Chadwick, Henry. The Early Church. London: Penguin Books, 1993.
(Korean translation. Tr. Jong Suk Park. Christian Digest, 2001.) ISBN
9788944703270. $22 retail price.
- Rha, Eun Sung. [Footsteps of Great Women]. Seoul, Korea:
Geurishim, 2005. ISBN 9788957991190. $34 retail price.
- Bettenson, Henry, ed. and trans. The Early Christian Fathers: A
Selection from the Writings of the Fathers from St. Clement of Rome to St.
Athanasius. Oxford University Press, 1969. (Korean translation).
- Tr. Kyung Soo Park. Christian Digest, 1997. ISBN 9788944702945. $24
retail.
- ________. The Later Christian Fathers: A Selection from the Fathers from
St. Cyril of Jerusalem to St. Leo the Great. Oxford: Oxford University
Press, 1972. (Korean translation. Same as above.)
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: (1) Completion of reading of the required texts. (2) In-class final exam (35%). (3) Short Analysis Paper (4-5 pages; 20%) (4) Research Presentation and Paper (45%; 2-3 pages presentation summary and 8-10 pages final paper)
PREREQUISITES: Korean.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Church History "a"
(CHA).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (Revised December 13, 2010)