Rebels with a Cause: The Historical Origins of Christianity

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Explain your own views on debates within the fields of early Christianity and Jewish-Christian-Roman relations in Late Antiquity
• Evaluate critically the theoretical and methodological approaches used by scholars working on early Christianity
• Analyse fundamental concepts in Second Temple Judaism and Roman philosophy in relation to early Christian ideology
• Explain and discuss the factors that impacted on the historical and ideological development of early Christianity
• Express familiarity with and interpret critically a variety of primary sources from Late Antiquity
• Evaluate reactions and responses to the early Christian movement amongst Jewish and pagan Roman groups

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Communicate a coherent and convincing argument in both oral and written formats
• Organise and structure material to write and present confidently
• Participate actively in group discussions and debate

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• The origins of Christianity in Second Temple Judaism and Graeco-Roman religion and philosophy
• The historical and social context of early Christianity in Graeco-Roman Palestine in the first centuries CE
• Debates on the factors that affected the historical and ideological development of early Christianity
• The complex formation of Christian identity, especially in relation to Second Temple Judaism
• The latest research on the subjects of early Christianity, the history of Graeco-Roman Palestine and Jewish-Christian-Roman relations
• The relationships between Jews, early Christians and Romans in Late Antiquity
• Key primary sources that provide evidence on the historical origins of Christianity and contemporary responses to its development

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Develop an interdisciplinary approach to historical studies
• Analyse critically a diverse range of primary material
• Identify and critically assess scholarly views and arguments

Reference will be made throughout to the historical and social context of Graeco-Roman Palestine. Typically, the module will cover the following topics:

• Introductory sessions: concepts and approaches
• Second Temple Judaism
• Early Christian writings and groups
• Responses to early Christianity especially as reflected in Graeco-Roman and Jewish literature
• The development of Christian identities and the ‘parting of the ways’
• Conclusions

Teaching methods include:

• Weekly lectures focusing on key events, chronology and concepts, including lecturer-led examination and discussion of sources
• A weekly seminar focusing on examination and discussion of primary and secondary source material and the key issues of debate they raise

Learning activities include:

• Preparatory reading before each seminar
• Participation in group and seminar discussion
• Independent reading of the sources provided and of related -secondary works
• Preparing and delivering short oral presentations on primary sources
• Independent research of additional information and source materials

Lectures will provide you with general knowledge and understanding about chronology, sources and key concepts. This will be consolidated through readings and seminar discussions of primary and secondary source material. Discussion in seminars will help you to develop your own ideas about a topic, to analyse a range of source material and to articulate a critical argument.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.