Course Objectives

        There are two primary goals of the course:
        1. To gain an appreciation of a) the diversity of traditions, perspectives and practices that characterized ancient and medieval Christianity as well as the factors that unified the Christian movement, and b) some of the different ways in which Christians both shaped and were shaped by their culture.
        2. A related goal is to help you acquire a critical and analytical approach to history in general.

        Toward these ends, in addition to weekly lectures, we will be reading, writing about, and discussing together a wide variety of primary-source documents concerning ancient and medieval Christianity.

        Required reading for this course will consist in a one-volume survey of the history of world Christianity up to 1453, a sourcebook of primary-source readings, a course packet of supplementary readings (available later in the semester), and a number of primary sources available on the Internet.

a) Required Texts (ordered at both the University Bookstore and at Gator Textbooks, 3501 Southwest 2nd Ave.):
Dale T. Irvin and Scott W. Sunquist, History of the World Christian Movement, Volume 1
John W. Coakley & Andrea Sterk, eds., Readings in World Christian History
St. Augustine, Confessions (Penguin edition)

b) You will be reading a few important primary sources (both whole texts and shorter excerpts) on line or through electronic reserves.  These sources for can be accessed through through links on the course syllabus web pate.   Please click on the highlighted text where appropriate to access online reading material.

c) Students must bring with them to discussion sections any primary-source readings listed for discussion.  At times this will mean that you must print out the relevant on-line document.  Please try to access and print out reading for discussion early in the week so that you have time to overcome any printing difficulties or delays.

1. Participation & Preparation
        Students are expected to attend all class meetings, and noticeable absences will significantly lower your participation grade.  You will also miss lectures at your own peril since we will often cover material that is not included in your texts.  If you must miss a lecture due to sickness or some other unavoidable conflict be sure to get notes from another member of the class.  Attendance at Friday discussion sections is absolutely required, and participation in these discussions will comprise an important part of your grade.  More than two unexcused absences from discussion sections will result in a failing grade for participation; more than three unexcused absences will constitute failure for the class.
        A series of 1-page responses to questions on the primary-source readings, due on discussion days, will be required throughout the semester.  You will be able to access through the course web page a short list of questions each week.  You should work through all of these questions in preparation for discussions, but you must also choose one question to answer  in written form (unless you have a 3-page paper due that week).  You may respond to the question in one or two paragraphs; absolutely no more than one-typed page!   These short responses will not be graded, but submission of these 1-page assignments will count toward your participation grade for the course.  Late 1-page responses will not be accepted!

2. Written work
         Over the course of the semester you will write three short papers (3 pages; approximately 800-1000 words) analyzing and responding to three different primary-source texts or sets of texts.  These papers will be written on a cyclical basis, so each week one third of the students in the class will write a paper while the others will submit a short response to one of the questions posed for discussion.  More information about what to include in your short papers will be provided during the first two weeks of class.  (Note:  Late papers will drop a full letter grade each day, and late one-page assignments will not be accepted!)
         You will have the option at the end of the semester to write one additional short paper.  This paper may be written to replace a low grade on one of your other papers.  This optional paper is recommended only for those who have received a grade below the B range on at least one of their papers.

3. Exams
        There will be an in-class midterm examination (in your discussion sections) and a final examination at the end of the semester.  These exams will include a combination of objective and essay questions.  They will be designed to test both your mastery of significant details (who, what, when, where) of the history the course covers and your ability to synthesize important details and themes.