T7171 Early Church Fathers

Unit code T7171

Unit name Early Church Fathers

Unit weighting 9 cp

Prerequisites N/A

Exclusions N/A

Curriculum objective This course unit engages the thought and methods of the early Church Fathers, investigating the major trends in Christian tradition up to the early fifth century. It assists students to understand the connection between historical circumstances, the spiritual life and the formulation of Christian theology.

Learning outcomes At the end of this unit students will be able to:

1. Understand the historical and ecclesial contexts of various trends in early patristic tradition
2. Demonstrate a broad understanding of the main themes pertaining to early patristic tradition
3. Critically review the primary and secondary sources in the analysis of patristic themes
4. Critically analyse themes pertaining to the early patristic tradition within its immediate and distant literary and historical contexts
5. Apply the patristic tradition to contemporary scholarship and the Christian experience

Content

1. Apostolic fathers and martyrdom literature
2. Greek and Latin apologists
3. Defenders of the apostolic tradition
4. The Alexandrians
5. The Cappadocians
6. Early Syrian fathers
7. Fathers from Jerusalem and Antioch
8. The Latin fathers of the fourth and early fifth century

Assessment profile In this unit, the required assessment tasks will enable students to demonstrate how successfully they can:

1. Critically analyse the writings of, and on, the Fathers in the early Church (Outcome 3)
2. Demonstrate a broad understanding of the main trends and themes in the early Church (Outcomes 2 and 4)
3. Exercise critical thinking in assessing relevant themes in the early Church from the viewpoints of the Christian experience (Outcomes 1, 5)