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A student qualified to take this course has to have successfully completed the two (2) previous courses in this series (CHS 101, 202) and/or show a qualifying ability and knowledge of Church History from Pre-Earth to 300 CE. These students must have a good working knowledge of key people and events in Church History through 30 CE.

Course Overview: CHS403 - Church History III offers an in-depth exploration of the Christian Church's development and transformation during the period from approximately 300 CE to 1250 CE. This course examines the significant events, theological debates, and influential figures that shaped the Church during the late Patristic period, the rise of the Papacy, the Great Schism, and the High Middle Ages. It covers the Church’s response to internal challenges such as heresies and doctrinal disputes, as well as external pressures including the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the rise of Islam, and the Crusades.

Students will analyze how the Church established and consolidated its authority during this time, how it interacted with other religious communities, and how it influenced and was influenced by the cultural, political, and intellectual developments of medieval Europe. The course will also delve into the establishment of the medieval universities and the rise of Scholasticism, which sought to harmonize faith and reason, and laid the intellectual groundwork for later developments in Western thought.

Course Objectives:

• To understand the Church’s role in the decline and fall of the Western Roman Empire and its emergence as a central institution in medieval European society.
• To explore the establishment and consolidation of papal authority, particularly under significant figures like Gregory the Great.
• To examine the theological controversies and ecumenical councils that defined Christian orthodoxy, including the Councils of Nicaea, Ephesus, Chalcedon, and the eventual East-West Schism.
• To assess the impact of the Crusades on the Church’s spiritual authority, political influence, and relations with other religious communities.
• To investigate the rise of Scholasticism and the establishment of universities as centers of learning and theological development.
• To analyze the establishment of the Inquisition and its role in maintaining doctrinal purity and authority within the Church.
• To evaluate the broader interactions between the Christian Church and Jewish and Islamic communities, and their influence on Christian doctrine and practice.

Key Topics Covered:

1. The Fall of Rome and the Rise of the Papacy:
• The Church’s response to the collapse of Roman authority and its role in stabilizing Western Europe.
• The rise of papal power and its influence on medieval politics and society.
2. The Development of Orthodox Doctrine:
• The theological disputes and ecumenical councils that shaped Christian orthodoxy, including Arianism, Nestorianism, Monophysitism, and the debates over the nature of Christ.
• The role of key figures such as Athanasius, Augustine, and the Cappadocian Fathers in defending and defining orthodox doctrine.
3. The East-West Schism (1054 CE):
• The theological, political, and cultural factors that led to the formal separation between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.
• The roles of key figures such as Photius, Pope Leo IX, and Patriarch Michael Cerularius in the schism.
4. The High Middle Ages:
• The Crusades: their origins, major campaigns, and their impact on the Church, European society, and relations with the Islamic world.
• The rise of Scholasticism and the establishment of universities, and their impact on Christian theology and intellectual life.
5. Heresies and Inquisitions:
• The Church’s efforts to combat heresy, including the Albigensian Crusade and the establishment of the Inquisition.
• The impact of the Inquisition on the Church’s authority and its relationships with other religious communities.
6. Interactions with Jewish and Islamic Communities:
• The impact of the Church’s policies on Jewish and Islamic populations during this period.
• Intellectual exchanges and conflicts between Christians, Jews, and Muslims, and their influence on medieval thought and theology.

Learning Outcomes: By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Critically evaluate the key events and figures that shaped the Christian Church from 300 CE to 1250 CE.
• Understand the theological developments and controversies that defined Christian orthodoxy and led to significant schisms within the Church.
• Assess the Church’s role in the political and cultural life of medieval Europe, including its interactions with other religious communities.
• Recognize the lasting impact of the Crusades, the rise of Scholasticism, and the Inquisition on the history of Christianity and its relationships with Judaism and Islam.
• Analyze the development of the Papacy and the Church’s evolving role as a central institution in European society.

This course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic and complex history of the Christian Church during one of its most formative periods, equipping them with the knowledge and analytical skills to engage with the historical and theological developments that continue to influence the Church and Western civilization today.

Upon successful completion of CHS403 - Church History III: Circa 300 CE to 1250 CE, students will be able to:

1. Analyze the Impact of the Fall of the Western Roman Empire:
• Evaluate the role of the Christian Church in the stabilization and reorganization of Western Europe following the collapse of Roman authority.
• Assess how the Church adapted to the political and social changes of the time, ultimately emerging as a central institution in medieval society.
2. Understand the Development of Papal Authority:
• Trace the rise of the Papacy, particularly under influential leaders like Gregory the Great, and analyze how the Papacy asserted its spiritual and political power during the early medieval period.
• Discuss the significance of the Papacy's increasing role in European governance and its impact on the Church’s authority.
3. Examine Theological Controversies and Councils:
• Identify and explain the key theological disputes and ecumenical councils that shaped the development of Christian orthodoxy, including the debates over Arianism, Nestorianism, and Monophysitism.
• Analyze the outcomes of major councils such as Nicaea, Ephesus, and Chalcedon, and their lasting impact on Christian doctrine.
4. Evaluate the Causes and Consequences of the East-West Schism:
• Understand the theological, cultural, and political factors that led to the formal separation between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches in 1054 CE.
• Assess the roles of key figures, such as Photius, Pope Leo IX, and Patriarch Michael Cerularius, in the events leading to the schism.
5. Critically Assess the Crusades:
• Explore the origins, motivations, and outcomes of the Crusades, with particular attention to their impact on the Church’s spiritual authority and its relationships with other religious communities.
• Analyze the long-term effects of the Crusades on Christian-Muslim relations, as well as their influence on European society and culture.
6. Understand the Rise of Scholasticism and the Establishment of Universities:
• Evaluate the development of Scholasticism and its efforts to reconcile faith and reason, and its impact on Christian theology and education.
• Discuss the role of medieval universities, such as Bologna, Paris, and Oxford, in the dissemination of Scholastic thought and the education of clergy and scholars.
7. Analyze the Church’s Response to Heresy and the Establishment of the Inquisition:
• Understand the origins and purposes of the Albigensian Crusade and the Inquisition, and their significance in the Church’s efforts to maintain religious unity and doctrinal purity.
• Assess the ethical and theological implications of the Inquisition’s methods, and its impact on the Church’s authority and relationships with other religious communities.
8. Evaluate the Church’s Interactions with Jewish and Islamic Communities:
• Analyze the Church’s policies and practices toward Jewish and Islamic populations during the High Middle Ages, including periods of conflict, coexistence, and intellectual exchange.
• Discuss the impact of these interactions on Christian doctrine and practice, as well as on Jewish and Islamic communities.
9. Synthesize Knowledge of the High Middle Ages:
• Integrate the various political, cultural, and theological developments of the High Middle Ages to form a coherent understanding of this transformative period in Church history.
• Assess the broader implications of the events and developments of this period on the trajectory of the Christian Church and European civilization.
10. Apply Historical Insights to Contemporary Issues:
• Use historical understanding gained from this course to reflect on contemporary issues within the Christian Church, such as the ongoing dialogue between different Christian denominations and the Church’s relationship with other faith traditions.
• Engage critically with the legacy of the High Middle Ages in modern Christian thought, practice, and interfaith relations.

These outcomes will ensure that students not only gain a deep understanding of the key developments in Church history during this period but also develop the analytical skills necessary to engage with the complex and often contentious issues that continue to shape the Christian Church today.