Content

This unit will introduce students to the main features of the development of Western Christianity from the late Middle Ages to the present. Topics will include 16th century Reformation movements; 17th century Puritanism and Pietism; the impact of the evangelical revivals; the Enlightenment; industrialization and revolution upon the church; the development of Christianity in North America and Australia; the rise of the modern missionary and ecumenical movements and the emergence of Pentecostalism.

Unit code: CH1712W

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 1

Unit discipline: Church History

Delivery Mode: Online

Proposing College: Whitley College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Outline some key aspects of the Christian story in the West from the 16th century to the present day

2.

Identify some of the social, political and cultural factors influencing the development of Christianity

3.

Demonstrate basic skills in interpreting selected historical documents

4.

Assess the significance of selected movements and personalities for the church’s history

Indicative Bibliography

  • Bettenson, Henry (ed.). Documents of the Christian Church. London: Oxford University Press, 1999
  • Blainey, Geoffrey. *A Short History of Christianity. Camberwell: Viking, 2011.
  • Chadwick, Owen. The Christian Church in the Cold War. London: Penguin, 1992
  • Chidester, David. Christianity: a global history. London: Penguin, 2001.
  • Hastings, Adrian (ed.). A World History of Christianity. London, Cassell, 1999
  • Jensen, De Lamar. Reformation Europe: Age of Reform and Revolution. 2nd edn. Lexington: D C Heath & Co, 1992
  • Gonzalez, Justo L. The Story of Christianity, Volume 2. Rev edn. New York: HarperOne, 2010. (recommended for purchase)
  • McGrath, Alister. Christian History: An Introduction. New York: Wiley, 2012.
  • MacCulloch, D. A History of Christianity. London: Penguin, 2010
  • Matheson, Peter (ed.) Reformation History (A People’s History of Christianity, Volume 5) Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2007.
  • Noll, Mark A. Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity. 3rd edn. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2012.
  • Noll, Mark A. The New Shape of World Christianity. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Academic, 2009
  • Shelley, Bruce L. Church History in Plain Language. 4th edn. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2013.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

Essay of 1,500 words

0 40.0
Document Study

Document study of 1,000 words

0 20.0
Short Answer Tests

Half-hour written test

0 20.0
Forum

Five 200-word forum posts or equivalent (one 15-minute oral exam)

0 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 19 Oct, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-21 10:51:42 +1100