MA - History of Christianity
The History of
Christianity program (42 hrs) provides an opportunity for students to
explore the contours of Christian history across two millennia in a
liberal arts context. Over the course of two years, students will
undertake rigorous and critical study of the history of the Christian
church as it interacted with theological, social, political,
intellectual, economic, gender, and cultural factors. Core courses will
provide a comprehensive knowledge of Christian history and equip
students with skills necessary for advanced historical work. Students
will then have the foundation to progress in their understanding of the
field through more in-depth seminar courses. Students may choose to
tailor the program or to focus the program by selecting from three
concentrations:
- Early Christianity
- Reformation Christianity
- Modern Christianity
In
addition to the pursuit of academic excellence, skills for service in
the church and society worldwide will be fostered. Those who excel in
the program will be prepared to undertake doctoral work in the history
of Christianity, historical theology, and history.
Degree Requirements (42 hours)
Historical Studies (24 hrs)
BITH 576 History of Christianity to 1900 (4)
BITH 577 Modern World Christianity (4)
BITH 581 The Reformation (4)
BITH 585 History of Christianity in North America (4)
BITH 677 Topics in the History of Christianity (8)
Concentration students are required to take one seminar (BITH 677) that corresponds with their concentration.
Historical Theology (4hrs )
Choose from:
BITH 653 Historical Theology: Patristic (2)
BITH 654 Historical Theology: Medieval (2)
BITH 655 Historical Theology: Reformation (2)
BITH 656 Historical Theology: Modern (2)
Concentration students are required to take one Historical Theology course that corresponds with their concentration.
Biblical & Systematic Theology (4 hrs)
BITH 525 Biblical Theology (4)
Or
BITH 565 Christian Theology (4)
-
Students with qualified coursework in this requirement and with
permission from their advisor may choose instead from the following
options:
Historical Skills & Methodology (6 hrs)
All students must complete:
BITH 505 Language Reading Course (4) German, French or Latin *
BITH 683 Historiography of the History of Christianity (2)
BITH 684 Methods in Scholarship (0)**
*Students not planning to pursue doctoral work may receive permission from their advisor to take an additional 4 hours of electives in place of BITH 505.
**Students planning to pursue doctoral work are strongly recommended to take BITH 684.
Electives (4 hrs)
All concentration students are required to choose from the following:
BITH 695 Independent Study (4) in their concentrated subject, or
BITH 698 Thesis (4)
Other students may select a course of their choice from within the Biblical & Theological Studies course offerings.
Comprehensive Exam (0 hrs)
BITH 692 Graduate Comprehensive Exam(0)
All students are required to complete the comprehensive exam.
Students should not take exams before they have completed 32 hours of the program.