RELN 209

I. Course Title: Christianity in Global and Historical Contexts (GE)

II. Course Number: RELN 209

III. Credit Hours: 3 credits

IV. Prerequisites: None

V. Course Description: 

A survey of Christianity from its ancient origins to its modern expressions. Adopting a comparative perspective, the course emphasizes Christianity’s diverse religious systems in encounter with social, cultural, political, and economic contexts around the globe.

Note(s): General Education and Humanistic or Artistic Expression designated course.

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

This course surveys the history of Christianity from its ancient origins to the present. Beginning with an overview of the movement’s emergence in the ancient Mediterranean, the course addresses the development of distinct Christian formations in medieval and early modern Europe, and, from the sixteenth century, in North America. Emphasizing not only the traditions of Western Christianity, the course treats examples of Christian identity and expression in East and South Asia, the South Pacific, West and Central Africa, and the Americas broadly, among other regions. 

The course adopts a broad thematic focus on social and cultural aspects of Christian traditions, and may attend to such topics as: challenges presented by religious diversity; shifting forms of ritual practice and scriptural interpretation; the spread of Christianity across diverse geographical and cultural terrains; women's roles in shaping Christianity; relations between churches and state institutions; the emergence of Protestant traditions; and Christian variety in contemporary contexts.

By engaging with a variety of primary texts (literary, visual, and aural), students develop skills of critical contextual analysis of the complex phenomenon that we now call Christianity. Throughout the course, students encounter key themes and concepts in the academic study of religion as they interact with diverse media, the instructor, and other students.

VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:

As an intermediate-level offering, this course employs a number of teaching and learning strategies and activities including the following, among others: 

1. Instructor-led lecture and discussion
2. Student led discussion and small-group discussion
3. Formal or informal debates
4. Individual and group oral presentations
5. Informal and formal writing assignments
6. Journal-writing
7. Individual and collaborative research activities involving library and Internet searches
8. Written and oral analysis of cases and/or texts
9. Written summaries/evaluations of out-of-class events
10. Guest lecturers/presenters

VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:

Having successfully completed this course, the student will be able to:

1. Summarize the origin and historical development of Christianity and identify connections between present-day forms of Christianity and its ancient beginnings; 
2. Describe and interpret significant concepts in Christian thought and practice;
3. Compare and contrast differing forms of Christianity in present-day socio-cultural contexts; and
4. Explain the relevance of understanding Christian diversity in personal and professional contexts.

VIII. Assessment Measures:

A variety of assessment tools will be used.  These may include quizzes/exams, writing assignments, presentations, and research papers, among others.

Review and Approval

August 2020

March 01, 2021