Spring 2014/Pasadena

CH502

Feldmeth

CH502: MEDIEVAL AND REFORMATION HISTORY (4 Units). Nathan P. Feldmeth.

DESCRIPTION: This survey course will chart the history of Christianity from AD 590 to the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century. About one-third of the study will focus on the medieval era, its key personalities and major theological movements, while the Reformation will receive a lion’s share of attention due to its central importance in church history.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing this course will have demonstrated: (1) a grasp of and an ability to articulate the key doctrinal and historical themes that marked the development of the Church from the early Medieval period through the Reformation of the 16th century; (2) an ability to accurately interpret historical events and ideas in their appropriate contexts; specifically creeds, movements, church architecture and treatises, (3) that they are equipped to think critically about the key issues, theological ideas, major movements, and influential personalities that shaped the Church in the Medieval and early modern periods, and as the end result of this study, (4) a deeper appreciation of the breadth, unity, and diversity of the Church.

COURSE FORMAT: This class will meet twice a week for two-hour sessions for lecture and discussion, and regular attendance is very important. Time in class will center on lecture and student interaction.

REQUIRED READING:

Bettenson, Henry, ed. Documents of the Christian Church. 4th ed. Oxford University Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0199568987, Pub. Price $29.95 [178 pp. assigned].

Feldmeth, Nathan P. Pocket Dictionary of Church History. InterVarsity Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0830827039, Pub. Price $8.00 [120 pp. assigned.].

Janz, Denis R. A Reformation Reader with CD-ROM. Fortress, 2002. ISBN: 978-0800634735, Pub. Price $34.00 [400 pp.].

Latourette, Kenneth Scott. A History of Christianity. Vols. 1-2. Rev. ed. Harper & Row, 1975. ISBN: 978-0060649524, 978-1565633292, Pub. Price $25.99, $25.95 [Vol. 1 409 pp. assigned; Vol. 2 192 pp. assigned].

Oden, Amy G, ed. In Her Words: Women’s Writings in the History of Christian Thought. Abingdon Press, 1994. ISBN: 978-0687459728, Pub. Price $30.00 [128 pp. assigned].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Cross, F. L. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. Oxford University Press, 1997. ISBN: 978-0192802903, Pub. Price $175.00.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: The course grade is determined by:

1. Student work in a 12-15-page thesis-driven research paper (35%).

2. A midterm exam (20%).

3. The final examination (45%). The paper must be typed, double-spaced, contain consistent and complete documentation, and be submitted at the last regular class meeting.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Church History “B” (CHB); meets MAT (2010 revision) requirement.

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.