hc.syl.htm

Schedule of Lectures and Readings
(Subject to slight variation; be sure to check this website regularly for readings and assignments!)

Note on readings: Textbook readings are listed for the week. The textbook reading should be completed by the end of each week. The primary source readings are listed under different days of the week and should be read by the day under which they are assigned. You should be prepared to discuss the primary-source readings in your discussion sections where there will be a 1-page response paper or a 3-page cycle paper due every week except for weeks 1, 4, and 14. Be sure to print out any necessary documents and bring them and/or your reader to your Thursday discussion section.

HWCM = Dale Irvin & Scott Sunquist, History of the World Christian Movement (your textbook for the course)
RWCH = John Coakley & Andrea Sterk, eds., Readings in World Christian History. Earliest Christianity to 1453 (your main sourcebook for the course)

WEEK

TOPIC

READING & ASSIGNMENTS (to be completed by date listed)

Week 1 - Introduction to the Course; Christian Beginnings

Textbook Reading: HWCM, chs. 1-3, pp. 1-44 & 66-71 (for context of Pliny/Trajan correspondence).
How to Read A Document (Useful suggestions for all your readings!)

W, 8/22

Introductions and Course Overview
Rise of Christianity

Recommended:
Gospel of Mark, Matthew, 5-7, 1 Corinthians 15:1-28 (Use any version of the Bible; if you don't have one, click here for an on-line version)

F, 8/24

Discussion: Introductions & Information
Brief Discussion of Pliny-Trajan Correspondence

Correspondence of Pliny & Trajan, RWCH, 23-24 (Be ready to discuss)
Recommended: Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Magnesians, RWCH, 3-5
How to Read A Document

Week 2 - Christian Beginnings; Geography & Diversity

Textbook Reading: HWCM, chs. 4-9, pp. 47-96; be sure to do all the primary source reading by Friday!

M, 8/27	Early Christianity: Jewish, Hellenistic, & Roman Contexts	Didache, RWCH, 12-16; Hippolytus of Rome, 17-22; Start Justin Martyr, Second Apology, RWCH, 37-43
W, 8/29	Internal Developments, External Expansion, & the Roman Response (2nd-early 3rd century)	Bardaisan of Edessa, RWCH, 82-84; Justin Martyr, Second Apology, 37-43
F, 8/31	Discussion: Justin's Apology; Choose Cycles for short papers	Justin Martyr, Second Apology, RWCH, 37-43 1-page response due. Questions for class discussion & 1-page assignment are posted. Click here.

Week 3 - Early Challenges; Martyrs & Martyrdom

Textbook Reading: Review HWCM, 80-81 (on Marcion) & 86-91; HWCM, 99-152. Get started reading martyrdom accounts.

M, 9/3	Labor Day - No class	Start readings for Wednesday & Friday
W, 9/5	Heresy, Orthodoxy, and the Bible: The Gnostic Challenge	Apostles' Creed Acts of Paul and Thecla, RWCH, 48-52 Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book III, RWCH, 58-66 The Muratorian Fragment, 66-67 Study guide (questions for reflection) on Irenaeus
F, 9/7	Discussion: Martyrdom	The Martyrs of Lyons & The Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicity, RWCH, 24-37 Papers Due: Cycle A - For paper guidelines click here. You may focus on the North African accounts or compare the two.

Week 4 - Christianity & Culture; the Constantinian Era

Textbook Reading: HWCM, 166-183

M, 9/10	Christianity and Pagan Culture: Confrontation & Integration	Origen of Alexandria, On First Principles, RWCH, 68-76; Porphyry, Against the Christians [excerpt]
W, 9/12	Constantine, Christianity, & Culture	Eusebius of Caesarea, Life of Constantine [excerpts], RWCH, 87-97 [Eusebius, Life of Constantine (whole text on-line)] The Nicene Creed, RWCH, 101
F, 9/14	Discussion: A Christian Roman Emperor	Eusebius of Caesarea, Life of Constantine [excerpts], RWCH, 87-97; questions for reflection and discussion listed.

Week 5 - Theology & Politics; Monasticism

Textbook Reading: HWCM, 155-183 & 209-214

M, 9/17

Theology & Politics in the Roman Empire

Emperor Julian, Rescript on Christian Teachers
Start Wednesday & Friday readings (Athanasius & Palladius)

W, 9/19

Mothers & Fathers of the Desert: The Rise of the Monastic Movement

Athanasius of Alexandria, Life of Anthony of Egypt, RWCH, 131-144;
Palladius, Lausiac History, 155-158

F, 9/21

Discussion: Christian Monasticism

Finish Athanasius & Palladius
Basil of Caesarea, Longer Rule, RWCH, 144-147;
The Rule of St. Benedict (short excerpts); Recommended: Full text of The Rule of St. Benedict
Papers Due: Cycle B

Week 6 - Christianity on the Frontiers

Textbook Reading: HWCM, 184-219

M, 9/24	On and Beyond the Roman Frontiers	Auxentius of Durostorum, Letter on the Life and Work of Ulfila, Apostle to the Goths, RWCH, 102-105; "The Martyrdom of Martha...Daughter of the Covenant," 110-112 The Christianization of Ethiopia, RWCH, 107-108
W, 9/26	Christology & the Churches of the East	Definition of Faith of the Council of Chalcedon, RWCH, 175-176
F, 10/28	Discussion: Christianity & Christianzation in Persia, the Caucasus, & on the Danube Frontier	Auxentius, On the Life and Work of Ulfila, Apostle to the Goths "The Martyrdom of Martha...Daughter of the Covenant," 110-112 Agathangelos, History of the Armenians, RWCH, 122-130 The Christianization of Georgia, RWCH, 108-109 Papers Due: Cycle C - on any single text or comparison of texts

Week 7 - Parting of Ways between East & West

Textbook Reading: HWCM, 220-239; 240-254

M, 10/1	Augustine of Hippo and Western Christianity	Get started on Confessions, Books 6-8
W, 10/3	Justinian, Byzantine Christianity, & Developments in the West	The Christianization of Nubia, RWCH, 188-192
F, 10/5	Discussion: Augustine of Hippo	Augustine, Confessions, Books 6-8 Recommended: Augustine, Confessions, all of Books 1-9 Papers Due: Cycle A

Week 8 - Rise of Islam; Christianity in Asia
Textbook Readings: HWCM, chapters 22-25

M, 10/8	The Rise and Impact of Islam	Apology of Patriarch Timothy of Baghdad before the Caliph Mahdi, RWCH, 231-242
W, 10/10	Monks, Merchants & Heretics: Christianity en route to China	Inscription of the Monument at Xian, RWCH, 243-247
F, 10/12	Discussion: Christians Encounter Islamic & Buddhist Worlds	Apology of Patriarch Timothy with the Caliph, RWCH, 231-242 Inscription of the Monument at Xian, 243-247; Chinese Christian Sutras, 247-251 Papers Due: Cycle B

Week 9 - The Making of Western Christendom

Textbook Reading: HWCM, chs. 26-27, pp. 323-353 (after midterm)

M, 10/15	Midterm Exam (part take home, part in class)	Study for Midterm
W, 10/17	Monks & Their Missions: The "Christianization" of Northern Europe	Bede, A History of the English Church and People, RWCH, 258-264 Start: The Heliand. The Saxon Gospel, Songs 1, 5, 16-19, 24, and 68-69, RWCH, 271-280 Rudolf of Fulda, Life of Leoba, 264-270 Recommended: Hrosvit of Gandersheim, Dulcitus, RWCH, 280-284; Donation of Constantine
F, 10/19	Discussion: Contextualizing the Gospel for Northern & Western Europe	Excerpts from Bede and The Heliand (RWCH 258-264 & 271-280) Papers Due: Cycle C

Week 10 - Roman Catholic & Byzantine Christianity

Textbook Reading: HWCM, Review ch. 26, esp. pp.332-342; chs. 28-29, pp.354-380

M, 10/22	Charlemagne & the Carolingian Church: The Consolidation of Roman Catholic Christianity [Byzantine Christianity: Spirituality & Art]	John of Damascus, On the Divine Images, RWCH, 289-297 Decree of the Second Council of Nicaea, 787
W, 10/24	Rome, Byzantium & the Slavs: Christianizing East & Central Europe	Letters of Patriarch Photius & Pope Nicholas I on Disputed Issues, RWCH, 297-302; Life of Constantine [Cyril], RWCH, 302-310 The Christianization of Russia according to the Russian Primary Chronicle, RWCH, 310-315
F, 10/26	Discussion: Byzantine Christianity and Mission	Byzantine texts from 10/22 & 10/24 Papers Due: Cycle A

Week 12 - Reforming & Defending Christendom

Textbook Reading: HWCM, Part VI and Chs. 27 (pp. 343-353) and 30-31 (pp.383-405)

M, 10/29	Monks, Popes & Emperors: Movements of Reform
W, 10/31	The Crusading Movement	Pope Urban II's Speech at the Council of Clermont (1095) according to Fulcher of Chartres Guibert of Nogent, The Deeds of God through the Franks. RWCH, 324-334
F, 11/2	Discussion: Four perspectives on the First Crusade (Latin Christian, Jewish, Muslim, & Byzantine)	Latin: Guibert of Nogent, The Deeds of God through the Franks. RWCH, 324-334 Muslim: Ibn al-Athir on the Fall of Jerusalem, 1099, RWCH, 334-335 Byzantine: Anna Comnena, The Alexiad [excerpts from Books 10 & 11 on the Crusades] Jewish: The account of Solomon Bar Simson Nicetas Choniates on the Sack of Constantinople, 1204; or RWCH, 335-336 Papers Due: Cycle B Be sure to print out documents (Byzantine & Jewish) and bring to class along with your source book.

Week 12 - Learning & Culture; the Papacy
Textbook Reading: HWCM. 32-33, pp.406-439

M, 11/5	Learning, Culture & Spiritual Ideals in the 12th Century	Bernard of Clairvaux, On Loving God, RWCH, 347-354 Peter Abelard, Historia Calamitatum [Story of My Misfortunes], I-XII & XV
W, 11/7	Papal Power & Popular Piety: The Pontificate of Innocent III	Start reading for next week
F, 11/9	Homecoming: No class

Week 13 - Piety, Spirituality & Heresy in the High Middle Ages [adjust]
Textbook Reading: HWCM, Chs. 32-33, pp.406-439

M, 11/12	Holiday (Veteran's Day): No class	Continue reading for 11/14 & 11/16 Recommended: "The Heretics" & "The Friars," in Lynch, The Medieval Church, 216-238
W, 11/14	Mendicants & Heretics: Renewal & Dissent	Thomas of Celano, First Life of St. Francis of Assisi, RWCH, 354-359
F, 11/16	Discussion: Christian Theology: A New Milieu & New Approaches	Peter Abelard, Historia Calamitatum [Story of My Misfortunes], I-XII & XV Recommended: Heloise, Letter to Abelard Papers Due, Cycle C

Week 14 - Scholasticism
Textbook Reading: HWCM, Chs. 32-33, pp.406-439

M, 11/19	Jews & the Medieval Church: Between Tolerance & Persecution	The Expulsion of the Jews from France, 1182 Gregory X, Letter on Jews (1271-76): Against the Blood Libel Thomas of Monmouth: The Life and Miracles of St. William of Norwich, 1173
W, 11/21-25	THANKSGIVING BREAK: No class!	Be sure to get started on the reading for next week!

Week 15 - Piety, Spiritualtiy & Heresy (cont.) [adjust]
Textbook Reading: Catch up on HWCM reading

M, 11/26	Scholasticism: Theology & Architecture in the High Middle Ages	Thomas Aquinas on the Existence of God, RWCH, 359-362 Review this page of images!
W, 11/28	Medieval Women & the Church	Hadewijch of Brabant, Letters 6 & 29 and Vision 7, RWCH, 362-371 Excerpts from The Book of Margery Kempe (Read first 4 paragraphs of the "Introduction" under Complete & 4 excerpts under "Excerpts at Luminarium") Recommended: Council of Vienne, 16, 28 [condemnation of Beguines] Recommended: R.W. Southern, "Fringe Orders and Anti-Orders," Western Society and the Church in The Middle Ages, pp. 300-331
F, 12/30	Discussion: Women, Men & Medieval Spirituality	Bernard of Clairvaux, On Loving God, RWCH, 347-354 (review) Readings from 11/28 & 11/14 (Hadewijch, Margery, Thomas of Celano) No cycle papers; 1-page response due

Week 16 - Meanwhile Around the Globe...
Textbook Reading: HWCM, Chs. 35-37 & beginning of Ch. 38 pp.450--495; be sure to read 459-463 and 492 to 495 carefully for background to the primary source reading for Monday!
Recommended: finish last chapter, pp.492-504 (after you finish all other reading for this week)

M, 12/3	Wrap-up week 15 The Trials of the Church in Asia Brief Discussion: An Asian Christian Looks at Christian Europe Time in class to fill out course evaluations	The Lives of Mar Yahbh-Allaha and Rabban Sawma, RWCH, 373-384. (Full text: *History of the Life and Travels of Rabban Sawma, Envoy and Plenipotentiary of the Mongol* *Khans to the Kings of Europe and Markos who as Yahbh-Allaha III Became Patriarch of the* *Nestorian Church in Asia) 1-page Response or Optional Paper due* (1-page response required if you do not do optional paper); Questions on text have been posted; key terms for Week 16 have also been posted. Bring computers or smartphones to fill out course evaluations
W, 12/5	Things Fall Apart: Christianity in the West & the World After 1300	Kebra Nagast, RWCH 388-395 Pope Boniface VIII, Unam Sanctam (1302), RWCH, 397-398

Thurs., 12/13
8:30-9:30

FINAL EXAM in regular class room

Details TBA