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The Cracking of Christendom: Histories and Theologies of the Reformation (CH2100Z/CH3100Z/CH9100Z)

Overview

 In the early modern period, European culture and belief underwent several seismic shifts, with individuals, and the movements they sponsored, involved in deeply committed debate and conflict about matters of faith. This unit examines theological debates of the sixteenth century Reformation in Europe and their ongoing impact in western societies and churches, with particular attention to the implications for contemporary Australian experience. Students will explore the understandings of grace, salvation, sacrament, scripture, authority and church order using key texts and artefact and their producers with a focus on the relationship between theological, historical and geographical contexts in shaping new forms of Christian identity and practice. This unit is taught collaboratively across several colleges of the UD, with specialists who highlight the diversity, complexity and commonality of perspectives across the Christian tradition.

Assessments

  1. Source Analysis. Weighting 35%. Source Analysis of a text or object in the light of Reformation theology

  2. Blog. Weighting 35%. Students write five blog entries of 300 words each (totaling 1500 words) reflecting on the events and themes of the Reformation at points of key change from the perspective of a Reformation character. Individual blog posts may be revised before submission of all five posts as a single document.

  3. Essay. Weighting 30%. Essay integrating theology and history

Teaching & Learning Plan

This subject will involve:

  • One on-campus 2 hour lecture per week

  • One on-campus 1 hour tutorial per week

  • Online preparation & reading 2.5 hours per week 

Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify the historical and theological context of the doctrinal controversies of sixteenth-century Europe and their ongoing impact;                             

  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the evolution, manifestation and impact of at least one doctrinal controversy;

  3. Describe the relationship between foundational documents and/or individuals and the ongoing development of particular Christian denominations;

  4. Reflect on the experience of religious change through this period from the perspective of at least one individual


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