Learning Outcomes:
- Students will acquire basic skills in methodologies involved in religious/historical research, writing, and communication, also by working with primary sources (in English);
- Students will acquire a progressively more deepened grasp of Christian and Catholic developments by advancing from identifying and recognizing historical issues to classifying, interpreting, analyzing, comparing, and explaining them, to finally generating their own reflections;
- The nature of the issues addressed and discussed encourages students to apply and develop analytical and critical thinking skills
Through lecture, interactive discussion, and multi-media presentations, this course aims to provide a thorough overview of the history of the Catholic popes, from the early Christian era to the present day. Through the study of this topic, students will gain a deeper understanding of the Catholic Church and its role in shaping the course of world history. Throughout the course, students will analyze primary and secondary sources, including papal encyclicals and historical documents, to gain a deeper understanding of the history of the Catholic world. Assignments will include research papers, in-class discussions, and group presentations.
Required Readings
As a five-week course, we will move quickly through the course material, and will base much of the class on in-class lectures and discussions. To supplement this content, the following readings will be included:
Thomas Bokenkotter, A Concise History of the Catholic Church. New York: Image Books Doubleday Press, Revised Edition, 2005. ISBN 13: 9780385516136. Additional assigned readings will be provided in class.
Recommended Readings
Eamon Duffy, Saints and Sinners: A History of the Popes. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2015.
John Julius Norwich, The Popes: A History. London: Chatto and Windus, 2011.
If you have any trouble accessing the text at any time during the semester, please contact your instructor. There will specific questions drawn from the textbook as part of class discussions and quizzes, so be sure to keep up with the readings. All readings are either available as E-Books through the online Catalogue of the Frohring Library or on Moodle.
Assigned Primary Source Readings
Primary source documents will be distributed each week in class. Students are expected to have read the assignment prior to the final class of each week. The readings assignments are designed to provide you with useful background information. To succeed in this course, however, you will need to take good notes as well as keep up with the readings.
Assessment
Successful completion of the course depends on regular attendance on Canvas, evidence of preparation and application, active participation in Canvas discussions based on close readings of the required texts, and completion of all assignments on time. Grades will be based on these assessments:
- In-class Student Responses to Primary Source Documents: 100 points (Due July 13 and 27)
- Quizzes (2): 100 points (QUIZ 1 July 6; QUIZ 2 July 20)
- Final Exam (cumulative): 100 points (August 4)
Response Papers
Students will also write two in-class response papers that require a deeper reading of primary sources and historical writings. These brief essays will take the place of what might constitute a standard research essay in a longer-form course. With this assignment, students will be expected to demonstrate that they understand some of the broader themes covered over the previous weeks and in the assigned readings. Due dates for these responses are noted in the class schedule.
Specific writing prompts along with further instructions for this assignment will be distributed in class, although here are some general guidelines:
- Develop a thesis statement in your opening paragraph, one that states what you aim to examine in the following sections of your response.
- Create an outline prior to beginning your first draft, to better organize your thoughts.
- Avoid procrastination. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a solid history essay. The day before the assignment is due should be devoted to revising, not writing a first draft.
- Refer to and demonstrate that you understand the assigned readings.
Strategies for Student Success
Here are a few other tips for succeeding in this course that you might keep in mind:
- Create a schedule (and stick to it) - Make a calendar for the course and plot all the due dates and important assignments. By doing this, you’ll be able to keep up with the course and not have to ask a fellow student every time you’re wondering what’s coming up in the course. College classes can move quickly, so it’s essential be aware of what’s happening.
- Organize – This goes along with creating a schedule and is generally a good idea for all your courses. One good way to organize is to create a dedicated workspace, notebook, or area in your home where you keep all your online class materials. This will help you stay on task and complete your coursework on time.
- Stay connected – Don’t hesitate to contact your instructor with questions. There’s no such thing as a dumb question, and we are there to help you and guide you through the course. Also, don’t be shy about connecting with your fellow students. If you’re unclear about something, chances are, you’re not alone and others have the same question. By doing this, you’ll be doing yourself, and your peers, a favor.