Earlham School of Religion

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Historical Studies

H-101 & H-101 EAC HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY I
This course gives an overview of the history of Christianity from the apostolic period to the eve of the Reformation. Topics addressed include theoretical issues in studying the history of Christianity, early Christianity, the Constantinian shift, Augustine’s influence, asceticism, the Middle Ages, medieval lay piety and dissent, monastic orders, the papacy and the beginnings of the Renaissance. This course may be taken in a traditional classroom format (H-101) or online (H-101 EAC.)
3 semester hours.
H-102 HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY II
The course continues the overview of the history of Christianity from the Reformation to the present. Topics of study include the Magisterial Reformation, the Radical Reformation, Roman Catholic reform, Protestant Orthodoxy, Pietism, and the Evangelical Awakening, the impact of Enlightenment rationalism, missionary expansion, Protestant liberalism and fundamentalism, the ecumenical movement, Christianity in developing countries and the Christian decline in the industrialized West.
3 semester hours.
H-201 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
This course investigates the history of the Brethren from their beginning as a movement amidst German Pietism to their transplantation and spread in America, major divisions, mission work, and interactions with wider Christianity and surrounding cultures, attending to their development from a rather homogeneous to a somewhat more ethnically diverse group. Along with theological concerns, the course will investigate social historical contexts for the Brethren story.
3 semester hours.
H-201C HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
With content similar to H-201, this course is paired with Varieties of Christian Peace Witness (I-226C) as part of the Connections program. Its format combines weekend seminars with online learning.
3 semester hours.
H-202S PRAYER, PIETY AND PRACTICE
This course combines historical studies and a focus on spirituality to investigate the Pietist movement, in both its churchly form with Spener and Francke, and its radical form, with various dissenters. Special attention will be given to various groups arising from Pietism, such as the Kelpius community, the Brethren, the Inspirationists and the Moravians. In addition to examining the history of Pietism, the course will also explore the spirituality of Pietist devotional life. The course is designed for those with little or no previous acquaintance with Pietism.
3 semester hours.
H-203S RADICAL REFORMATION
Focusing primarily on sixteenth century European dissent, this seminar examines Anabaptist, Spiritualist and rationalist dissent leaders and groups, taking the work of George H. Williams as the point of departure. The course will also investigate selected social historical issues related to these groups, such as communal economy, marriage patterns, and militancy and pacifism. Students will discuss the interaction between religious and social concerns, and the legacy of radical reform in contemporary world views.
3 semester hours.
H-208 BRETHREN IN MISSION
The course gives an overview of significant endeavors in foreign mission by the Church of the Brethren, with some attention to the wider context of Christian missions. The course will also focus on inter-cultural issues. Students will work on developing theologies of mission and evangelism that are inter-culturally sensitive.
3 semester hours.
H-301 THE JOY OF SECTS
This course focuses on a few sectarian movements as manifestations of alternative religious groups. The course will explore methodological approaches to sectarian groups. Special attention will be given to issues of gender and sexuality. The music and material culture of each group will provide other avenues for interpreting their beliefs and life. Typically the course will include a field trip to a site of a sectarian group, either past or existing. Groups to be studied will be chosen from among the Hutterites, the Amish, the Ephrata Community, the Shakers, the Moravians, the Mormons, or others.
3 semester hours.
Prerequisite: H/HCST-101or 102 or T-306.
H-390 SEMINAR IN HISTORICAL STUDIES
Specialized advanced courses developed on the basis of faculty and student interest. Offerings could focus on methods of researching the history of Christianity, or on a particular topic.
3 semester hours.
Prerequisite: H/HCST-101 or 102.