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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "RL 221-1"
COURSE NAME: "The Popes of Rome: History of the Catholic Church"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2024
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Rafiqur Rahman
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MTWTH 9:00 AM 10:50 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The history of the Catholic church is essentially intertwined with the history of Western Civilization over the past 2,000 years. The aspirations and struggles of Christendom constitute the fabric of the Christian tradition as it unfolds throughout time. This course represents an historical survey of the Church from its primitive beginnings in Jerusalem (c. 33 A.D.) to the Pontificate of John Paul II (1920-2005). The development of the course will trace the major events, ideas and people that went into the shaping of the Western Church, without ignoring the fundamental importance and influence of the doctrine of Jesus Christ regarding the institution he founded.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The Vatican is the oldest and continuously functioning religious institution in the entire world. Its genesis began when Jesus of Nazareth endowed his disciple Simon Peter with the requisite ecclesial authority required to be the earthly head of his church (Matt. 16:18, 1 Cor. 3:11, Eph. 2:20, 1 Pet. 2:5-6 and Rev. 21:14).

The ensuing years with the Bishops of Rome as its titular head have led to a dramatic growth of the ecclesial organization. The Church, which began from a very small flock of persecuted Christian worshipers, has now become a global Christian faith tradition boasting over 1.4 billion baptized Catholics, a figure that currently represents 18% of the world's population in toto.

Over the past 2,000 plus years the Popes of Rome have had a monumental impact upon the evolution of Christianity in particular and Western Civilization in general.

Ironically,  despite the Bishop of Rome's profound influence upon human history, quite a few do not possess the knowledge needed to understand it's complex history. For example:

* How are the Bishops of Rome elected?
* What types of men have become popes?
* What makes the Bishop of Rome different from the other Bishops around him?
* What happened during the Great Schism and the ensuing decades of the Avignon Popes?


The papacy is an iconic religio-cultural institution that has transcended time. Following the history of the 266 popes that has occupied the Chair of Saint Peter—some wicked, some incompetent, some visionary, some inclusive, some wise, etc.—reveals a fascinating historical narrative concerning Christendom.

The aim of this course is to allow students to catch a glimpse of the history behind the symbolic human center of the Catholic faith here on earth, the Bishop of Rome.

 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the completion of this Religious Studies oriented course, the student will be able to:
* Demonstrate a rudimentary awareness and understanding concerning the history of the Papacy.
* Demonstrate an academic familiarity with what makes the Bishop of Rome dissimilar from other Bishops within Catholicism.
* Articulate the concepts, beliefs and arguments appertaining to the Great Schism.
* Demonstrate the ability to employ scholarly tools effectively for critical thinking and research.
 
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Saints and Sinners: A History of the Popes; Fourth EditionEamon DuffyYale University Press978-0300206128  Ebook  
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Attendance and Class ParticipationStudents will attend and participate in all scheduled classes.30%
Research PaperStudents will thoughtfully compose a 2-3 page (500-750 word) paper. Double-spaced, 12-pt. Times New Roman font, 1-inch. margins with Chicago-style footnotes.30%
Final PaperStudents will thoughtfully compose a 2-3 page (500-750 word) paper. Double-spaced, 12-pt. Times New Roman font, 1-inch. margins with Chicago-style footnotes.40%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised. There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included. In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
 
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

Week

Topic + Deliverable

Reading

May 20

Preface

Upon This Rock

AD 33-461

 

Preface

Chapter 1

 

May 27

Between Two Empires

AD 461-1000

 

** Research Paper Due **

Chapter 2

June 3

Set Above Nation

AD 1000-1447

 

Protest and Division

AD 1447-1774

 

Chapter 3 & 4

June 10

The Pope and the People

AD 1774-1903

 

** Final Paper Due **

Chapter 5

June 17

The Oracles of God

AD 1903-2005

 

Chapter 6