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CRS831Arts3 Unitsintermediate

Reformation and Counter Reformation

This course explores the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, pivotal periods in Christian history. It examines the key figures, theological developments, and socio-political contexts that shaped these movements. The course covers the emergence of Protestantism, the roles of Martin Luther, John Calvin, and other reformers, and the Catholic Church's response through the Council of Trent and various reform efforts. It also investigates the impact of these events on different regions, including Europe and Africa.

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65h

Study Time

13

Weeks

5h

Per Week

none

Math Level

Course Keywords

ReformationCounter-ReformationMartin LutherJohn CalvinCouncil of Trent

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

Protestantism

2

Reformation

3

Martin Luther

4

John Calvin

5

Council of Trent

6

Huguenots

7

Anabaptists

8

Anglicanism

9

Counter-Reformation

Total Topics9 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 (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

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Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week

1

Module 1: Martin Luther and Protestant Reformation

2h

Unit 1: Protestantism and the Reformation: Clarification of Terms

2 study hours

•Define Protestantism and Reformation.
•Explain the relationship between the Reformation and Protestantism.
•Identify the basic principles of Protestantism.
•Describe the major branches of Protestantism.

Week

2

Module 1: Martin Luther and Protestant Reformation

2h

Unit 2: The Emergence of Roman Catholicism and the Rise of the Papacy

2 study hours

•Discuss the emergence of Roman Catholicism.
•Identify the factors that accelerated the rise of the Papacy.
•Explain how papal leadership was supplanted by papal monarchy over the church.

Week

3

Module 1: Martin Luther and Protestant Reformation

2h

Unit 3: The Call for Reformation

2 study hours

•Write about the reformers within the medieval church.
•Discuss the methods used by the Roman Catholic Church to silence the pre-reformers.
•Identify some of the principles accentuated by the latter reformers which had been highlighted by the pre-reformers.
•Discuss the factors that precipitated the call for reformation.

Week

4

Module 1: Martin Luther and Protestant Reformation

2h

Unit 4: Martin Luther and the Pilgrimage to the Reformation

2 study hours

•Write a concise account of Luther's life.
•Examine the factors that influenced his pilgrimage to the reformation.
•Narrate the events that led to the sale of indulgences.
•Discuss the causes and the effects of the nailing of the 95 theses.
•Discuss some of the events that influenced the formulations of the basic principles of Protestantism.

Week

5

Module 1: Martin Luther and Protestant Reformation

2h

Unit 5: Luther's Trial and the Refuge at Wartburg

2 study hours

•Explain why the ecclesiastical ban on Luther could not be enforced.
•Discuss the political maneuvers surrounding the trial of Luther.
•Account for the courage Luther exhibited before the Emperor and the great lords of the German Empire.
•Discuss the debate between Johann von Eck and Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms.
•Explain the events leading to Luther's memorable statements: 'Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise. So help me God'.
•Evaluate the decision taken at the Diet of Worms.
•Narrate Luther's journey to refuge at the Wartburg castle.

Week

6

Module 2: Protestant Reformation in Europe

2h

Unit 1: Reformation in Germany and the Evolution of Lutheranism

2 study hours

•Narrate the confusion created by the implementation of the edict of the Diet of Worms.
•Identify the circumstances which hindered the implementation of the decisions of the Diet of Worms.
•Discuss how the spirit of nationalism promoted the cause of Lutheranism in Germany.
•Discuss the genesis of Protestantism during the session of a Diet.
•Identify the decisions taken at the imperial Diets of Nuremberg, Speyer and Augsburg.
•Discuss the significance of the Peace of Augsburg and the formation of Protestant League in Germany.
•Narrate the death of Luther.
•Discuss the state Lutheranism after Luther.

Week

7

Module 2: Protestant Reformation in Europe

2h

Unit 2: Huldrych Zwingli and the Reformation in Geneva

2 study hours

•Discuss the development of Protestantism outside Germany.
•Identify some reasons why the Protestantism in Germany differed from Switzerland's.
•Discuss the events leading to Zwingli's break with the Catholic Church.
•Discuss Zwingli's disputations with the Roman Catholic authority of Switzerland.
•Write briefly on Zwingli's major writings and theological leanings.
•Discuss the death of Zwingli in a Catholic and Protestant war.
•Discuss the development of Zwinglianism after the death of Zwingli.

Week

8

Module 2: Protestant Reformation in Europe

2h

Unit 3: The Radical Reformers: The Anabaptists

2 study hours

•Discuss the evolution of Anabaptism in Europe.
•Identify the variance between the radical and classical reformation.
•Identify and discuss the basic principles of Anabaptism.
•Write briefly on some leaders and the major Anabaptist groups.
•Write on the relationship between Anabaptists and the Baptist Denomination

Week

9

Module 2: Protestant Reformation in Europe

2h

Unit 4: Calvin and the Reformation in Geneva

2 study hours

•Write briefly on Calvin's early life and ministry.
•Enumerate what led to Calvin's flight from France and why he found refuge in Basle.
•Discuss events leading to his settlement in Geneva.
•Write on the inauguration of the Reformation in Geneva.
•Discuss the opposition and set backs to Calvin's reformation.
•Discuss the importance of Geneva in Church and world history.
•Discuss Calvinism after the demise of Calvin.

Week

10

Module 2: Protestant Reformation in Europe

2h

Unit 5: The Protestant Reformation In Great Britain: England

2 study hours

•Narrate Henry's personal problem that led to the reformation in England.
•Argue if Henrician reformation is protestant in any respect?
•Identify what informed Henry's nationalist Catholicism and Queen Mary's papist Catholicism.
•Explain why the Church of England remained rather 'too Catholic' till today.
•Discuss the evolution of Puritanism.

Week

11

Module 3:

2h

Unit 1: Reformation in Great Britain: Scotland

2 study hours

•Defend the statement that 'John Knox is the foremost reformer in Scotland'.
•Discuss the roles played by the conflict between England and France in the reformation in Scotland.
•Identify the reformers and martyrs who preceded John Knox in Scotland.
•Discuss the genesis of the relationship between English Puritanism and Presbyterianism in Scotland.

Week

12

Module 3:

2h

Unit 2: The Huguenots and the Reformation in France

2 study hours

•Define the 'Affair of the Placards of October 1534'.
•Explain how Huguenotism which was influenced by Lutheranism and biblical humanism became Calvinist's Reformed Church.
•Describe the sordid event known as the massacre of St. Bartholomew's Day.
•Identify Catherine de Medici, the third woman mentioned in Knox's controversial book, The First Blast of the Trumpet against the Monstrous Regiment of Women.
•Describe the evolution of Gallicanism, the equivalent of Anglicanism in France.
•Discuss the terrible effects of religious wars on a nation.

Week

13

Module 3:

2h

Unit 3: The Counter-Reformation

2 study hours

•Define the Counter-Reformation.
•Identify the measures taken by the Catholic Church to curtail Protestantism.
•Discuss the decisions of the Council of Trent.
•Discuss the effects of the Counter-Reformation on the Catholic Church.

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 in the Reformation and Counter-Reformation.

2

Compare and contrast the theological views of Martin Luther, John Calvin, and other reformers.

3

Focus on the key decisions and outcomes of the Council of Trent.

4

Analyze primary source documents from the period, such as Luther's 95 Theses or Calvin's Institutes.

5

Practice essay questions that require you to synthesize information from multiple modules.

6

Develop a strong understanding of the socio-political context of the Reformation in different regions of Europe.

7

Review all Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) and identify areas where you need further clarification.

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