DI2006 Early and Medieval Christianity

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

20

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 8

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

2.00 pm Mon, Tue, Thu

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr W P Hyland

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr W Hyland

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module first explores the history, beliefs and practices of the early Christian church. Topics include early Christian worship and forms of ministry, the development of doctrine as the church sought to define orthodoxy in the face of perceived heresies such as Gnosticism and Arianism, the writings of the early Christian apologists and the conversion of Constantine and its consequences. The spread of Christianity is analysed against the background of the Jewish diaspora, Hellenisation and the Roman Empire. Key theologians are introduced, including Irenaeus, Origen and Augustine. The last six weeks of the course provide an outline of key trends in medieval Christianity. Topics covered include the cult of the saints and their relics, pilgrimage, pastoral care and worship with an introduction to the thought of notable medieval theologians. The module concludes with a consideration of key aspects of late medieval Christianity and the early reformations of the sixteenth century.

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

3 lectures and 1 tutorial.

Scheduled learning hours

43

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

157

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Intended learning Outcomes: By the end of the module, students will be able to: • have a sound grasp of the essential terminology and conceptual categories classically used to describe the patristic and medieval Church. • have a firm idea of the development of doctrines, institutions and religious life in the Church in the patristic and medieval period. • have the critical ability to assess key aspects of patristic and medieval Christianity as presented in the scholarly literature. • have an appreciation of the varieties of genre used to express early theology and spirituality, and an understanding of various types of primary sources.