The European Reformations remain one of the most significant and contested periods in Christian history. Historians continue to debate whether the Reformations were a force for renewal, freedom, and social change, or a source of conflict, division, and religious intolerance. This unit explores the diverse and often competing narratives surrounding the religious upheavals of sixteenth and seventeenth century Europe.
Students examine the emergence of denominational, confessional, and national identities as the Church fragmented and re-formed within a rapidly changing world. Particular attention is given to the religious, political, social, economic, and intellectual developments that shaped the period and contributed to the reconstruction of European identities. Through advanced engagement with primary sources, historical scholarship, and material culture, students evaluate the many reformations that transformed European Christianity and shaped the post-Reformation world.
Unit code: CH9802Z
Unit status: Approved* (New unit)
Points: 18.0
Unit level: Postgraduate Elective
Unit discipline: Church History
Proposing College: St Francis College
Show when this unit is running| 1. | Evaluate the religious, political, social, economic, and intellectual developments that contributed to the European Reformations and the reconstruction of identity in early modern Europe. |
| 2. | Analyse and synthesise evidence from primary sources, material culture, and historical scholarship in the interpretation of Reformation movements and identities. |
| 3. | Evaluate competing historical interpretations of the causes, character, and significance of the European Reformations. |
| 4. | Apply historical methods to the investigation of a selected issue, movement, figure, or concept from the Reformation period. |
This unit requires at least one postgraduate foundational unit in Church History to have been completed.
Direct instruction and self-directed learning approach (flipped learning) to learning discipline-specific skills (demonstrating an understanding of concepts in history, reading primary and secondary historical documents, writing an argumentative essay, preparing, and delivering an oral presentation, and classroom dialogues) through lectures, tutorials with targeted learning activities, and formative and summative assessment tasks.
This unit has provisional approval. Assessment details are currently under review and may change before final approval. Please contact the relevant College for further information.
| Type | Description | Word count | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 5000 | 100.0 |
Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Naomi Wolfe on 11 Oct, 2026
Unit record last updated: 2026-10-11 22:20:20 +1100