Course Resources Archive

This module will offer an introduction to the historical emergence of Christianity and the diversity of global Christianity today. It will introduce some of the central ideas of Christianity and their impact and significance at points in history and in contemporary society.  It will consider the shifting geographical pattern of contemporary global Christianity and also look at examples of diverse forms of Christianity.

This module begins by considering the origins of Christianity: its roots, its relationship with Judaism and its original diaspora into the Greek/gentile world. It looks at contemporary global patterns and the geographical population distribution that shows a shift in the heartlands of Christianity from Europe to more southern territory: notably Latin America and Africa. The module looks at core beliefs that unite the world's Christians and establish certain criteria for what might be understood as 'Christianity' while affirming that, within these criteria, there are many contextual and 'local' Christianities. The module explores some key historical and contemporary developments within Christianity, which may include, for example, the Reformation and its effects; Celtic Christianity, the original indigenous form of British Christianity that is currently experiencing renewed popularity; the current charismatic scene; the contemporary 'Emerging Church' movement. The module also explores Christianity's ongoing relationship with science; and with philosophical ideas about body and matter, and how these play out with regard to gender and environment.

A student passing this module should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a thorough and critical understanding of key aspects of Christianity in a global age through acquisition of a coherent knowledge base that is informed by current scholarship.
2. Apply knowledge of the study of religion – sociological and phenomenological – to new contexts such as Christianity in the contemporary global age.
3. Demonstrate a systematic understanding both of cultural diversity and also of the importance of key, unifying criteria within religion.
4. Develop a critical awareness of the historical and contemporary role of Christianity in society.
5. Identify and apply a variety of critical methods of study.
6. Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of shifting global patterns in Christianity and offer cogent analysis of these.

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.