History of Christianity
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course provides the general lines of the history of Christianity, focusing primarily on the medieval centuries, and the necessary tools to understand the main aspects and developments of Latin Christianity.
Expected learning outcomes
The course aims to provide the guidelines of the history of Christianity through some thematic elements (monasticism, ecclesiastical institutions, expansion of Christianity through the crusades) to focus on religious history in the Middle Ages (the Papacy, beggars, sanctity and hagiography, heresy and inquisition) and on the protagonists of the main events of the history of Christianity through the use of sources and international historical debate. These skills will be acquired through a direct and continuous meeting with the instructor in the classroom. The discussion around the proposed sources will be an essential moment of critical reflection and methodological learning. Participation in meetings and seminars organized within the Department of Historical Studies will also be of great importance. Students opting not to attend the lessons will be able to make use of the educational tools provided by the instructor on Ariel, deepen their knowledge of main topics through special readings with the agreement with the instructor, and of course contact the instructor either by e-mail and during office hours.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Title of the course: Birth, developments and spread of Christianity as a new religious system (60 hours, 6/9 cfu)
Part 1: The 'birth' of Christianity
Part 2: Texts, experiences, and practices
Part 3: Between dialogue and conflicts: Christian groups, Jews, Gentiles and 'heretics'
Part 1: The 'birth' of Christianity
Part 2: Texts, experiences, and practices
Part 3: Between dialogue and conflicts: Christian groups, Jews, Gentiles and 'heretics'
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific requirements different from those requested for the degree admission
Teaching methods
Attendance is highly recommended, although not compulsory. Classes are based on frontal lectures. The theoretical investigation and the analysis of ancient sources (also translated into Italian) and secondary literature will be further enhanced by discussion with students.
The teaching is also based on didactic and multimedia material provided on Ariel.
The teaching is also based on didactic and multimedia material provided on Ariel.
Teaching Resources
Attending students
Programme for 6 cfu:
- Storia del cristianesimo I. L'età antica (secoli I-VII), a cura di E. Prinzivalli, Carocci, Roma 2015 (chapters 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-10)
- Ancient sources and secondary literature discussed in classes
Programme for 9 fcu:
- Storia del cristianesimo I. L'età antica (secoli I-VII), a cura di E. Prinzivalli, Carocci, Roma 2015 (chapters 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-10)
- B.D. Ehrman, Il trionfo del cristianesimo, Carocci, Roma 2019 (chapters 8 and 9 excluded)
- Ancient sources and secondary literature discussed in classes
Non-attending students
Programme for 6 cfu:
- Storia del cristianesimo I. L'età antica (secoli I-VII), a cura di E. Prinzivalli, Carocci, Roma 2015
Programme for 9 cfu:
- Storia del cristianesimo I. L'età antica (secoli I-VII), a cura di E. Prinzivalli, Carocci, Roma 2015
- B.D. Ehrman, Il trionfo del cristianesimo, Carocci, Roma 2019 (chapters 8 and 9 excluded)
Programme for the students who have already attended the course of History of Early Christianity during the past year or who want to attend both the course of History of Early Christianity and History of Christianity during the current academic year:
Programme for 6 cfu:
- Storia del cristianesimo, II: Il medioevo (VIII-XV sec.), a cura di M. Benedetti, Roma, Carocci, 2022 (capitoli 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-14)
Programme for 9 cfu:
- Storia del cristianesimo, II: Il medioevo (VIII-XV sec.), a cura di M. Benedetti, Roma, Carocci, 2022 (capitoli 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-14-15-16)
- B.D. Ehrman, Il trionfo del cristianesimo, Carocci, Roma 2019 (chapters 8 and 9 excluded)
Programme for 6 cfu:
- Storia del cristianesimo I. L'età antica (secoli I-VII), a cura di E. Prinzivalli, Carocci, Roma 2015 (chapters 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-10)
- Ancient sources and secondary literature discussed in classes
Programme for 9 fcu:
- Storia del cristianesimo I. L'età antica (secoli I-VII), a cura di E. Prinzivalli, Carocci, Roma 2015 (chapters 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-10)
- B.D. Ehrman, Il trionfo del cristianesimo, Carocci, Roma 2019 (chapters 8 and 9 excluded)
- Ancient sources and secondary literature discussed in classes
Non-attending students
Programme for 6 cfu:
- Storia del cristianesimo I. L'età antica (secoli I-VII), a cura di E. Prinzivalli, Carocci, Roma 2015
Programme for 9 cfu:
- Storia del cristianesimo I. L'età antica (secoli I-VII), a cura di E. Prinzivalli, Carocci, Roma 2015
- B.D. Ehrman, Il trionfo del cristianesimo, Carocci, Roma 2019 (chapters 8 and 9 excluded)
Programme for the students who have already attended the course of History of Early Christianity during the past year or who want to attend both the course of History of Early Christianity and History of Christianity during the current academic year:
Programme for 6 cfu:
- Storia del cristianesimo, II: Il medioevo (VIII-XV sec.), a cura di M. Benedetti, Roma, Carocci, 2022 (capitoli 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-14)
Programme for 9 cfu:
- Storia del cristianesimo, II: Il medioevo (VIII-XV sec.), a cura di M. Benedetti, Roma, Carocci, 2022 (capitoli 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-14-15-16)
- B.D. Ehrman, Il trionfo del cristianesimo, Carocci, Roma 2019 (chapters 8 and 9 excluded)
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral examination. Students are expected to prove: knowledge of both the topics addressed in classes and the texts listed in the bibliography; ability to elaborate critical thinking; quality of exposition; appropriate use of historiographical concepts and specialised vocabulary.
Final grades are in 30s.
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as the relevant office.
Final grades are in 30s.
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as the relevant office.
Unita' didattica A
M-STO/07 - HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY AND OF CHURCHES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-STO/07 - HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY AND OF CHURCHES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-STO/07 - HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY AND OF CHURCHES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)