Unit rationale, description and aim
The Christian tradition is grounded in history. This unit explores the Christian world of the first six centuries. It considers the historical and cultural background that influenced the development of the thought and practice of early Christianity and introduces students to a range of different sources which shed light on the challenges and complexities of this period. The aim of the unit is to equip students with knowledge of a crucial formative time in the history of Christianity and to facilitate critical reflection on its legacies and ongoing impact on the Church today today.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Explain the context within which Christianity deve...
Learning Outcome 01
Analyse key issues involved in the evolution of di...
Learning Outcome 02
Evaluate the legacies of this period in Christian ...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
Topics will include:
- The historical, cultural and social background to the emergence of Christianity in the Roman Empire.
- The spread of early Christian communities and their impact on, and interaction with, the non-Christian world.
- Key elements in the life of Christian communities, such as the witness of the martyrs, the emergence of church structure and ministry, the development of liturgy and sacraments, and the rise of the ascetic movement.
- Theological developments, including the formation of the scriptural canon and the creeds as well as Trinitarian and Christological doctrines.
- The rise of the Christian church to become a major institution in society.
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessments tasks have been designed to ensure that students can demonstrate the learning outcomes.
Task 1 asks students to identify and assess factors which facilitated and factors which challenged the development of Christianity in the first three centuries of its existence. This task gives students an opportunity to demonstrate that they have identified and understood the historical context (LO1, LO2), that they can locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information (GA8), and that they can demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline of history (GA5).
Task 2 asks students to analyze the significance of legacies from the early Christian era and to evaluate (LO2, LO3), in particular, the impact of one of them on the development of Christian theology, ministry, spirituality, liturgy, art and architecture, or the relationship between church and state. This will enable students to demonstrate that they can locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information (GA8) and think reflectively and critically (GA4)
Overview of assessments
Essay of 2500 words The purpose of this assignme...
Essay of 2500 words
The purpose of this assignment is to give students the opportunity to demonstrate that they meet Learning Outcomes 1 and 2.
50%
Essay of 2500 words The purpose of this assignme...
Essay of 2500 words
The purpose of this assignment is to give students the opportunity to demonstrate that they meet Learning Outcomes 2 and 3.
50%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit involves 150 hours of focused learning, or the equivalent of 10 hours per week for 15 weeks.
This unit is normally offered in online mode. Students are regarded as adult learners who can work independently and be responsible for their own learning. Resources and support are provided through Canvas. As well as access to source material in Canvas, students will have the opportunity to engage in peer group discussions by participating in online asynchronous forums and synchronous seminars.
In addition to the formally structured learning activities available through Canvas, the remaining hours typically involve reading, research, and the preparation of tasks for assessment.