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CRS830Arts2 Unitsintermediate

Early Church History

This course introduces students to the history of the Christian Church from its origins to the medieval period. It explores the birth of Christianity, its expansion, and the challenges it faced, including persecutions and heresies. The course examines the roles of key figures like the Church Fathers and Emperors, the development of doctrines and liturgy, and the rise of monasticism. It also covers the Crusades, the invention of the printing press, and the factors leading to the Reformation.

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26h
Study Time
13
Weeks
2h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Early Church HistoryChristianityReformationPapacyCrusades

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Origins of Christianity

2

Early Church Expansion

3

Imperial Persecutions

4

Development of Doctrine

5

Rise of Monasticism

6

The Crusades

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (2 methods)

Tutor-Marked Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Written Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Religious Educator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Theologian

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Historian

Apply your skills in this growing field

Archivist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Religious OrganizationsEducational InstitutionsHistorical ResearchCultural Heritage

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Ancient Church History – 30 – 100 A.D

2h

Unit 1: The Birth of the Christian Church

2 study hours
  • •Define 'Church' and 'Church History'
  • •Explain the birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ
  • •Discuss the Church at Pentecost
  • •Analyze the spirit of oneness in the Early Church
Week
2

Module 1: Ancient Church History – 30 – 100 A.D

2h

Unit 2: The Growth and Expansion of the Early Church

2 study hours
  • •Narrate Stephen's death and Saul's involvement
  • •Describe Philip's ministry in Samaria
  • •Analyze Peter's invitation to Joppa and Caesarea
  • •Discuss the Church at Antioch
  • •Examine Paul's first missionary journey
Week
3

Module 1: Ancient Church History – 30 – 100 A.D

2h

Unit 3: Persecutions and Victories of the Church

2 study hours
  • •Identify causes of imperial persecutions
  • •List stages of persecutions
  • •State importance of Constantine's Edict
  • •Describe joyous end of persecution
  • •List abuses of freedom
Week
4

Module 1: Ancient Church History – 30 – 100 A.D

2h

Unit 4: Formation of New Testament Canon

2 study hours
  • •Identify authors of New Testament books
  • •Describe circumstances of book production
  • •Identify factors leading to canonization
  • •Describe Gnostic, Ebionite, Manichaean, Montanist heresies
  • •State Early Church beliefs
Week
5

Module 1: Ancient Church History – 30 – 100 A.D

2h

Unit 5: The Church Fathers and the Growth of Liturgy

2 study hours
  • •Narrate John Chrysostom's life
  • •Identify Theodore's achievements
  • •Narrate Eusebius' story
  • •List Ambrose's contributions
  • •Narrate Augustine's story
  • •Identify Jerome's contributions
  • •Describe liturgy growth
Week
6

Module 2: The Imperial Church 313 476 A.D

2h

Unit 1: Reconciliatory Councils and Creedal Development

2 study hours
  • •Define Arian controversy
  • •Define Apollinarian controversy
  • •Define Pelagian controversy
  • •Identify roles of Church Councils
  • •State resolutions of Councils
  • •Describe creed development
Week
7

Module 2: The Imperial Church 313 476 A.D

2h

Unit 2: Rise of Monasticism and their developments

2 study hours
  • •Trace origin of monasteries
  • •Narrate founders' stories
  • •Identify Bible on asceticism
  • •Describe Christian ascetics and monks
  • •Identify first monks
  • •Define monastic order
  • •Enumerate benefits
  • •Describe negative effects
Week
8

Module 2: The Imperial Church 313 476 A.D

2h

Unit 3: The Growth of Power in the Roman Church

2 study hours
  • •List reasons for relocating capital
  • •Describe how Church power filled vacuum
  • •Describe Rome's apostolic authority claim
  • •Describe social ministry effect
Week
9

Module 2: The Imperial Church 313 476 A.D

2h

Unit 4: The End of Western Roman Empire

2 study hours
  • •Narrate how Roman frontiers were left unprotected
  • •Identify effects of pleasure and luxury
  • •Identify effects of violence and destruction
  • •Identify effects of civil wars
  • •Identify effects of invading tribes
Week
10

Module 2: The Imperial Church 313 476 A.D

2h

Unit 5: Consolidation of Papal Power and the Rise of Islam

2 study hours
  • •Identify factors strengthening Papal Powers
  • •Describe declining stage of papacy
  • •Describe Muhammad's life and Islam's beginning
Week
11

Module 3: The Medieval Church – 476 – 1453 A.D

2h

Unit 1: The Holy Roman Empire

2 study hours
  • •Identify founders of Carolingian Empire
  • •Describe Charlemagne's background
  • •Enumerate Charlemagne's achievements
  • •Identify Carolingian leaders
  • •Identify Emperors and Popes
  • •Discuss Holy Roman Empire's decline
  • •List reasons for Latin/Greek Church separation
  • •Discuss Eastern Roman Empire's fall
Week
12

Module 3: The Medieval Church – 476 – 1453 A.D

2h

Unit 2: The Crusades

2 study hours
  • •Enumerate factors giving rise to crusades
  • •Identify sponsors and goals
  • •Identify stages and effects
  • •Describe children's crusade folly
  • •List benefits to Europeans/Arabs
  • •Analyze expedition failures
  • •Describe effects on Papal power
  • •Identify factors leading to Reformation
Week
13

Module 3: The Medieval Church – 476 – 1453 A.D

4h

Unit 3: Invention of Printing Press and the Forerunners of the Reformation

2 study hours
  • •Narrate origin of religious reform
  • •Describe Puritan movement
  • •Narrate Peter Waldo's story
  • •Narrate John Wycliffe's story
  • •Narrate John Huss' story
  • •Describe Jerome Savonarola's life
  • •Identify contributions of Anselm, Abelard, Bernard, Aquinas
  • •Identify printing press role

Unit 4: Renaissance Period to the Dawn of Reformation

2 study hours
  • •Identify spirit of investigation
  • •Identify Italian/English fathers
  • •Identify motives of forerunners
  • •Analyze Martin Luther's life

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create a timeline of key events and figures from the Early Church to the Reformation

2

Develop flashcards for key theological terms and concepts

3

Practice essay questions on the causes and effects of the Crusades

4

Review the roles and contributions of the Church Fathers

5

Focus on understanding the factors that led to the rise and decline of papal power

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