Content

This unit will introduce students to issues involved in writing a history of a local church, faith community or faith-based organisation. Historiographical and ethical issues such as the selection, use and interpretation of different sources in the construction of a coherent historical narrative will be explored. The impacts of secularization and of social, demographic, cultural, religious and theological changes upon faith communities will be addressed. The unit will provide an opportunity for students to review and undertake research of selected Christian churches and organisations.

Unit code: CH9009W

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Church History

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Whitley College

Show when this unit is running

Learning outcomes

1.

Outline a clear process for documenting the history of a local church or Christian organisation;

2.

Identify and use a range of historical sources and tools in the writing of a local history

3.

Evaluate the relative strengths and limitations of archival, visual and oral sources

4.

Assess the impact of social, cultural and religious factors upon the history of a local church or Christian organisation;

5.

Critically review a range of local histories and articulate ways in which particular challenges and pitfalls have been addressed

6.

Demonstrate critical awareness of the implications of constructing historical accounts for the development of Christian identity.

Unit sequence

15 points in CH

Pedagogy

Lectures, seminars, field trip

Indicative Bibliography

  • Bradley, James E. and Richard A. Muller, Church History: An Introduction to Research Methods and Resources. 2nd edn. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2016
  • Curthoys, Ann and Ann McGrath. How to Write History that People Want to Read. Palgrave Macmillan, 2011. (recommended for purchase )
  • Ely, Richard. Mayfield Presbyterian Church, Victoria: Origins, Early Years and Character. West Melbourne: Dissenters Press, 2012
  • Dekar, Paul R. Community of the Transfiguration. Eugene, Or: Cascade Books, 2008.
  • Fendley, J. Margaret. A School on a Hill: Strathcona 1924–1984. South Yarra, Vic.: Hyland House, 1986.
  • Holden, Colin & Richard Trembath. ‘Divine Discontent’: The Brotherhood of St Laurence: A History. Melbourne: Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2008
  • Howe, Renate and Shurlee Swain. ‘The Challenge of the City’: The Centenary History of Wesley Central Mission 1893-1993. South Melbourne, Vic.: Hyland House, 1993.
  • Manley, Ken R. ‘In the Heart of Sydney’: Central Baptist Church 1836–1986, Sydney, Central Baptist Church, 1986
  • Newnham, Lindsay L. ‘This Changing Corner’: A History of the Ivanhoe Baptist Church 1951-1975. Melbourne: Ivanhoe Baptist Church, 1975
  • Newnham, Lindsay L. ‘Writing a Local Church History’. Victorian Baptist Historical Society: Baptist Union of Victoria, c. 1995.
  • Emilsen, Susan et al. ‘Pride of Place’: A History of the Pitt Street Congregational Church. Beaconsfield, Vic. Melbourne Publishing Group, c. 2008.
  • Otzen, Roslyn. ‘So Great a Cloud of Witnesses’: Ashburton Baptist Church. Melbourne: Ashburton Baptist Church, 2015
  • Powell, Damian X. ‘Memory and Hope’: Strathalan Baptist Home for the Aged. Hawthorn, Vic.: Baptist Social Services, 1995
  • Waterhouse, Catherine. ‘Going Forward in Faith’: A History of Melbourne City Mission. North Fitzroy, Vic.: Melbourne City Mission, 1999

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Report

Project report of 3,500 words

0 50.0
Book Review

Book review of 1,000 words

0 20.0
Seminar or Tutorial

Seminar paper of 1,500 words

0 30.0
Approvals

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

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-27 15:36:42 +1100