| HSTD 6222 | Popes and the
Papacy The institution of the papacy and individual holders of the papal office; survey of major periods in the development of Catholicism from the perspective of the papacy; special attention to the last century and an investigation/analysis of the papal office. 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6224 | Eastern
Christianity An overview of Eastern Christian Churches, Catholic, Orthodox, non-Chalcedonian and others: origins and development, especially as regards ecclesiology, theology and culture; themes in Eastern Christian spirituality and art; historical origins of the separation between East and West; current ecumenical situation. 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6226 | Ecumenical Councils The concept of the Church as custodian of tradition, focusing on the ecumenical council as vehicle for discernment and teaching of Catholic doctrine: specific theological and disciplinary questions addressed by each Council are used to demonstrate ecclesial life, questions and problems at a given moment in Church life, using historical criticism in theological method. 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6228 | Church Art and
Architecture The use of archaeology in discovering many insights into the lives and beliefs of early Christians; Christian art in various ages as an expression of belief and practice; the effect of contemporary art on Christian artistic expression; ecclesiastical architecture as a phenomenon reflecting the worship practices of a people and as a creative force in society. 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6301 | Mediterranean
Christianity The development of Christianity from the close of the Apostolic/Second Temple periods (ca 100 AD) to the creation of the Papal States and the evangelization of Northern Europe (ca 750 AD). Patristic texts and other primary sources are used to illustrate the Church's passage from its Semitic roots into the Hellenistic and Germanic worlds. Special attention is paid to institutional and sacramental development; persecutions; the Constantinian revolution; early Councils; the collapse of the Western Roman Empire; and the development of Eastern Christianity. 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6302 | European
Christianity The development of Latin Christianity in the period from the consolidation of Western Mediterranean Christianity to the beginnings of the Age of Discovery (750-1492): the evangelization of the Germanic and Western Slav peoples; the impact of Islam; Roman-Byzantine disputes; the Crusades; development of the papal office; Church-State controversies; origins of religious orders and the culture of the Middle Ages; and the influence of the Renaissance. 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6303 | World Christianity The development of Christianity from the encounters of European and American cultures to today (1492-present): evangelization of the Americas; the Reformation; the Council of Trent; philosophical, political and scientific revolutions in the 18th to 20th centuries; evangelization of Asia, Africa and the Pacific; Vatican II; current issues connected with the Church's inculturation among a variety of peoples. 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6310 | History of
Spirituality A survey of the history of Christian spirituality: Biblical origins; Patristic period; Desert Fathers; Benedict; Augustine; Benedictine Reforms; Franciscan and Dominican renewals; medieval spirituality; Rhineland mystics; Ignatius; Francis de Sales; Sulpician influences; 20th century movements; Vatican II; and contemporary situation [Cross-referenced to PTHO 6726.] 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6401 | Early Christianity A review of the period from the first post-canonical writers to the Council of Chalcedon, concluding with a brief overview of the remaining three centuries of the Patristic era. Emphasis on theological developments and the contributions thereto by the Church Fathers as well as the relationship of the Church to the world at large socially and politically. 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6405 | Early Christian Art Beginning with the catacomb paintings of the early third century and concluding with ninth century Roman mosaics, a survey of ancient Christian art through slide presentations, discussions of notable productions and visits to local museums. Of particular concern is the development of the image of Christ during this period, which serves as a complement to a more speculative, text-based approach to Christology. 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6413 | Patristic
Literature A study of the period from the Apostolic Fathers to the death of Augustine, focusing on a different work each week with an emphasis on a particular Father and specific theme. 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6415 | Introduction to
Augustine An introduction to the thought of Augustine based on close readings of various texts. 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6420 | Augustine and the
Bible An examination of Augustine's use of the Bible in his writings; Patristic exegesis; his understanding of revelation, inspiration, canonicity; and specific exegetical issues. 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6421 | Patristic
Spirituality A consideration of key themes in the Fathers of the Church: martyrdom, virginity, monasticism, liturgical and other prayer. The examination of a representative Patristic text per session. 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6422 | Augustine's
Spirituality An overview of prominent themes in an Augustinian spirituality: Augustine - his life and writings, with special attention to Confessions and City of God; key themes in Augustinian spirituality; institutionalization of Augustinian spirituality in the Church's life and influence of Augustinian elements in Catholic spirituality in general [Cross-referenced to PTHO 6738.] 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6611 | Medieval
Christianity From Charlemagne to the Renaissance, the development of ecclesiastical structures and the theological and secular forces that shaped them. The creation of "Christendom" through a fusing of Latin, Germanic and Christian elements is contrasted to today's secular society. Monasticism and long-term implications of the idealization of monastic spirituality are discussed. Origins of some contemporary religious practices and doctrinal questions and the pastoral heritage of this period in popular religious thought also are examined. 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6710 | Women Mystics An exploration of the phenomenon and meaning of mysticism. A study of the lives, times, and spirituality of such women mystics as Theresa of Avila, Thérèse of Lisieux, Edith Stein, Catherine of Siena, Faustina, Elizabeth of the Trinity, and Julian of Norwich. An analysis of their major writings, including autobiographies, letters, and poetry. [Cross-referenced to PTHO 6710.] 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6801 | Church in Latin
America A survey of the Catholic Church in Latin America from the time of the Spanish and Portuguese explorers to the present; colonial regimes and the Church; independence; the Church in selected Latin American countries; current trends in Latin American Catholicism. 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6807 | American
Christianity The development of Christianity in the Americas from the beginnings of evangelization to the present, focusing on the Catholic Church in the U.S.: the impact of the English Reformation as setting the stage for the major cultural forces influencing the present-day U.S.; growth of the Church in the English colonies and its subsequent expansion, particularly due to 19th and 20th century immigration; Catholic education and the evolution of pastoral ministry; issues facing Catholicism in its contemporary encounter with cultural forces in America today. 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6809 | History of
Christianity An overview of the development of Christianity from its origins to the present: the evolution of Christianity from a movement within Judaism to a world religion; Church polity, belief and spirituality in succeeding periods; current challenges facing contemporary Christianity. Issues such as Church-State relations, the Reformation and the influence of the Enlightenment on the Church are major themes. 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6813 | The Reformation The spiritual, intellectual and political background of the sixteenth century, focusing on the strains of the major reforms: Lutheran, Calvinist, Anglican, Anabaptist and Catholic. Major theological questions are considered in context of their sitz-im-leben. Ecumenical and ecclesiological issues today. 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6825 | Modern Christianity The influence of the Enlightenment on 18th century Europe and the secularization of society after the French Revolution; 19th century tendencies towards centralization and ultramontanism; the Second Vatican Council and its roots in 18th, 19th and 20th century scholarship; selected issues. 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6827 | Modern European
Church A survey of the Catholic Church in Europe since 1789, including its relations to the French Revolution and Bonaparte; the Catholic revival; the Church and European revolutions; ultramontanism; Vatican I; industrial revolution; Modernism; the missionary movement; World Wars I and II; Vatican II. 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6830 | History of African
Christianity An overview of the history of African Christianity, with emphasis on sub-Saharan regions, exploring missionary work, encounter with local cultures, general African beliefs, current developments, inculturation and liturgical adaptation and trends in African theology. 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6837 | Church in New
Jersey Using diocesan and institutional archives in the custody of the NJ Catholic Historical Records Commission at Seton Hall, an investigation and analysis of archival sources and other primary source materials. Research required of a particular topic using archival materials. 3 credits. |
| HSTD 6896 | History of Black
Catholicism A study of African-Americans in the Catholic Church in the United States: origins, historical development, present situation, trends for the future. Black Catholicism will be studied against the larger backdrop of U.S. history. 3 credits. |