Content

This class will examine the key figures of the School of Alexandria (Origen, Athanasius and Cyril), relating them both to the historical development of theology and the controversies in which they were engaged, as well as to abiding issues in scriptural exegesis and systematic theology and the historical and contemporary problem of the split between the Eastern (Chalcedonian) and Oriental (non-Chalcedonian) Churches. The course will combine both lectures on general context and theology, and seminar-style close reading of selected texts (one from each author).

Unit code: CH2419A

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 2

Unit discipline: Church History

Delivery Mode: Online

Proposing College: St Athanasius College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Name and identify the key Fathers (and others) of Alexandria;

2.

Describe texts written by the Alexandrian Fathers with reference to their genre, historical context and theological contribution;

3.

Articulate the theological issues being discussed during this period;

4.

Relate the material studied to contemporary issues

Indicative Bibliography

  • Athanasius, On the Incarnation, trans. John Behr, Popular Patristics Series – Greek-English (St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2011)
  • Cyril of Alexandria, On the Unity of Christ, trans. J.A. McGuckin, Popular Patristics Series (St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1995)
  • John Behr, The Nicene Faith (St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2004)
  • John Behr, The Way to Nicaea (St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2001)
  • John A McGuckin, St Cyril of Alexandria and the Christological Controversy (St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2004)
  • Khaled Anatolios, Athanasius: The Coherence of his Theology (London: Routledge, 1998)
  • Origen, Commentary on the Gospel of John, translated R. E. Heine, Fathers of the Church 80 (Washington: Catholic University of America, 1989)
  • Origen, On First Principles, translated by G.W. Butterworth, rev. John Cavadini (Notre Dame, IN: Christian Classics, 2013)
  • Ronald E. Heine, Origen: Scholarship in the Service of the Church (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010)
  • Thomas Weinandy and Daniel Keating, eds., The Theology of St Cyril of Alexandria (London: T & T Clark, 2003).

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

Essay 2000 words

0 50.0
Critical Review

Critical Review 1000 words

0 20.0
Essay

Essay 1500 words

0 30.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by LTC on 2 Jan, 2018

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-11 12:55:48 +1100