Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2022 - HIST 288 D100

History of Christianity to 1500 (3)

Class Number: 5642

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A survey of the history of Christianity from its origins to 1500. Breadth-Humanities. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

How did a small sect develop to become a world religion known as Christianity? Today, 2.5 billion people, a little more than 30% of Earth’s population, identify themselves as Christians.  The history of Christianity asks many fundamental questions.  Who was Jesus?  Who were the first Christians?  What did they believe?  How did Christianity spread?  What institutions shaped Christian society to the end of the Middle Ages?  We shall explore these and other important historical questions through a variety of primary sources that connect us with ancient and medieval Christians and Christianity. The course does not assume or require any religious knowledge or affiliation.

Hist. 288 will prepare you for Hist. 320 (European Reformation), which you also can take in the spring semester of 2022. 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

The course requirements of History 288 will help you achieve the educational goals of undergraduate courses in the Department of History.  In particular, by the end of the course you will be able:

  • to identify the principal historical developments of Christianity before 1500;
  • to recognize and assess aspects of these developments in primary sources.

Grading

  • Participation 15%
  • Four Tests (4 x 10%) 40%
  • Three Primary Source Analyses (3 x 15%, 750 words each) 45%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

  1. The Book of Margery Kempe, trans. Anthony Bale (Oxford University Press, 2015) for purchase at the SFU Bookstore in hard or digital copy.
  2. Selections from the Holy Bible (Old and New Testaments, unabridged, any English translation, except for the Good News Bible and paraphrases of the Bible). Copies of the Bible are available in the Bennett Library and on the internet and for purchase through various outlets.
  3. Primary sources available for free online.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2022

Teaching at SFU in spring 2022 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with safety plans in place.  Some courses will still be offered through remote methods, and if so, this will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the spring 2022 term.