Church History 1
- Arts
- 100 level
- 2 credit units
- 165 pages
- 14 units
This course introduces students to the history of the Christian Church from its origins to the Protestant Reformation. It explores the birth of Christianity, its expansion, and the challenges it faced, including persecutions and doctrinal controversies. The course also examines the development of key Christian doctrines, the rise of monasticism, and the factors leading to the Protestant Reformation. Students will gain an understanding of the major events, figures, and movements that shaped the history of Christianity.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 208 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of CRS141, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
CRS141 · UNIT 1 THE BIRTH OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
All the details of the assignments you must submit to your tutor for marking will be found in this file. You must get a passing grade in these assignments in order to pass this course. In the assignment file itself and in the section on assessment within this Course Guide, additional information will be found.
What you should be able to do
- Explain the origins and development of the Christian Church.
- Identify the key figures and events in Church history.
- Describe the major theological controversies and their impact.
- Analyze the relationship between the Church and the Roman Empire.
- Evaluate the causes and consequences of the Crusades.
What it prepares you for
- Historian
- Religious Studies Scholar
- Archivist
- Education
- Research
- Museums
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: The Imperial Church 313 476 A.D
Unit 1: Reconciliatory Councils and Creedal Development
Advanced concepts of creedal development require careful analysis of theological arguments and historical context.
- Module 3: The Medieval Church 476 1453 A.D
Unit 2: The Crusades
Understanding the motivations and consequences of the Crusades requires critical evaluation of primary and secondary sources.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 28 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Ancient Church History – 30 – 100 A.D
Unit 1: The Birth of the Christian Church · 2 hours
Read Unit 1: Definitions of Church and Church History.. Study the birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.. Understand the planting of Christianity and the Church..
- Week 2Module 1: Ancient Church History – 30 – 100 A.D
Unit 2: The Growth and Expansion of the Early Church · 2 hours
Study the growth and expansion of the early Church.. Examine the ministries of the Apostles in Samaria and Antioch.. Analyze Paul's missionary journeys..
- Week 3Module 1: Ancient Church History – 30 – 100 A.D
Unit 3: Persecutions and Victories of the Church · 2 hours
Identify the causes of imperial persecutions.. List the stages of persecutions.. State the importance of the Edict of Emperor Constantine..
- Week 4Module 1: Ancient Church History – 30 – 100 A.D
Unit 4: Formation of New Testament Canon · 2 hours
Identify the authors of the books of the New Testament.. Describe the circumstances surrounding their production.. Identify the factors that led to Canonization of the New Testament books..
- Week 5Module 1: Ancient Church History – 30 – 100 A.D
Unit 5: The Church Fathers and the Growth of Liturgy · 2 hours
Study the lives and contributions of the Church Fathers.. Describe the growth of liturgy in the Church.. Identify the Church Fathers and their involvement in the Formation of Liturgy and Creeds..
- Week 6Module 2: The Imperial Church 313 476 A.D
Unit 1: Reconciliatory Councils and Creedal Development · 2 hours
Define the Arian controversy.. Define the Appollinarian controversy.. Define the Pelegian controversy..
- Week 7Module 2: The Imperial Church 313 476 A.D
Unit 2: Rise of Monasticism and their developments · 2 hours
Trace the origin of Monasteries.. Narrate the story of the founders of monasteries.. Identify what the Bible says about asceticism..
- Week 8Module 2: The Imperial Church 313 476 A.D
Unit 3: The Growth of Power in the Roman Church · 2 hours
List the reasons why Emperor Constantine relocated his headquarters from Rome to Constantinople.. Describe how Rome asserted apostolic authority for its claim.. Describe the effect of social ministry in the growth of the Roman Church..
- Week 9Module 2: The Imperial Church 313 476 A.D
Unit 4: The End of Western Roman Empire · 2 hours
Narrate how the Roman frontiers were left without much protection.. Identify the effects of pleasure and luxury among the upper class Romans.. Identify the effects of violence and wanton destruction in the Empire..
- Week 10Module 2: The Imperial Church 313 476 A.D
Unit 5: Consolidation of Papal Power and the Rise of Islam · 2 hours
Identify the factors that strengthened Papal Powers.. Describe the commencement of the declining stage in the power of the papacy.. Describe the life of Prophet Muhammad and beginning of Islam..
- Week 11Module 3: The Medieval Church 476 1453 A.D
Unit 1: The Holy Roman Empire · 2 hours
Identify the founders of the Carolingian Empire.. Describe the background of Charlemagne.. Enumerate the achievements of Charlemagne..
- Week 12Module 3: The Medieval Church 476 1453 A.D
Unit 2: The Crusades · 2 hours
Enumerate the factors that gave rise to crusades.. Identify the sponsors of the crusades and their goals.. Identify the stages of the crusades and their effects on Christendom..
- Week 13Module 3: The Medieval Church 476 1453 A.D
Unit 3: Invention of Printing Press and the Forerunners of the Reformation · 2 hours
Narrate the origin of religious reform.. Describe the Puritan movement.. Narrate the story of Peter Waldo and the Waldensians..
Unit 4: Renaissance Period to the Dawn of Reformation · 2 hours
Identify the spirit of investigation and experiments in the Renaissance.. Identify the Italian and English fathers in Arts, Rhetoric, Religion, Painting and Sciences.. Identify the motives that gave rise to the decisions made by forerunners of the Reformation..
Preparing for the exam
- Create a timeline of key events from the birth of Christianity to the Reformation.
- Focus on understanding the theological debates and their resolutions.
- Practice essay questions on the causes and consequences of the Crusades.
- Develop concept maps linking key figures, events, and movements.
- Review all assignments and tutor-marked assessments for key concepts and themes.
Questions students ask about this course
What is CRS141 about?
This course introduces students to the history of the Christian Church from its origins to the Protestant Reformation. It explores the birth of Christianity, its expansion, and the challenges it faced, including persecutions and doctrinal controversies. The course also examines the development of key Christian doctrines, the rise of monasticism, and the factors leading to the Protestant Reformation. Students will gain an understanding of the major events, figures, and movements that shaped the history of Christianity.
How many units does CRS141 have?
CRS141, Church History 1, has 14 units across 3 modules, over 165 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is CRS141?
CRS141 carries 2 credit units, at 100 level in Arts.
Is CRS141 hard?
CRS141 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does CRS141 take to study?
About 208 hours of study, spread across its 14 units.
How is CRS141 assessed?
CRS141 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with CRS141?
Historian, Religious Studies Scholar and Archivist.