The course is a general introduction of the development of the Christian religious system in the first millennium of the Common Era. A specific attention will be paid to conflicts, characters, social movements, and theologies that shaped Christianity during this period, the origins through 10th century.
Assigned (and required) readings:
1. Robert L. Wilken, I primi mille anni. Storia globale del cristianesimo, Torino, Einaudi, 2013, 447 pp.
2. Material provided by the teacher.
3. Roberto Alciati, Monaci d’Occidente. Secoli IV-IX, Roma, Carocci, 2018, 201 pp.
Learning Objectives
This course has several primary learning objectives:
1. Giving a historical overview of the primary themes, figures, and events in ancient and early medieval Christianity;
2. Learning to study religion from a critical and historical perspective;
3. Knowing how to read and interpret primary sources related to the Christian religious system;
4. Understanding and coping with the particular methodologies and problems inherent in studying pre-modern religious systems;
5. Learning how to develop good questions and choose methods to best answer these questions;
6. Encouraging the development of analytical skills that enable to evaluate the quality of scholars’ research.
Prerequisites
None.
Teaching Methods
Lectures and readings of primary sources.
Further information
Students who may have problems attending classes must contact the teacher as soon as possible.
Type of Assessment
Individual oral examination (also for non-attending students, Erasmus and other exchange students). The examination consists of a dialogue with the teacher, who will ask questions to the candidate. The aim is to verify:
1. the understanding and knowledge of the historical processes relevant for the discipline;
2. the understanding and use of the particular methodologies and problems inherent in studying pre-modern religious systems;
3. the knowledge of the primary themes, figures, and events in ancient and early medieval Christianity.
Course program
The first day of class will be dedicated to the presentation of the course; starting from the second week, the first two days of each week will focus on different aspects of ancient Christianity (12 lessons); the third day will be dedicated to the history of monasticism.
Outline of Topics:
Week 1
- General introduction to course
- What is the History of Christianity?
- Stories of monks and monasteries: The heroes of Western monasticism
Week 2
- First of all, Paul
- The historical Jesus
- Stories of monks and monasteries: Monastic genealogies
Week 3
- Jews believing in Jesus
- The formation of the Canon
- Stories of monks and monasteries: Monastic geography
Week 4
- The invention of the heretic (the internal enemy)
- How Christianity is communicated: the case of the Shepherd of Hermas
- The form of monastic life: knowledge
Week 5
- How Christianity is organized (1): The case of the Acts of the apostles
- How Christianity is organized (2): Hierarchy
- The form of monastic life: Norm and exercise
Week 6
- The martyrdom
- Caesar and God
- The form of monastic life: Power