The Earliest Christian Communities (THE2212)

StaffProfessor David Horrell - Convenor
Credit Value30
ECTS Value15
NQF Level5
Pre-requisitesNone
Co-requisitesNone
Duration of Module Term 1: 11 weeks;

Module aims

This module aims to:

  • Examine social aspects of the earliest Christian communities, by focusing on a range of topics and their diverse interpretation in contemporary scholarship
  • Introduce relevant textual and other (e.g., archaeological) evidence and to the debates that are current in research

ILO: Module-specific skills

  • 1. Demonstrate knowledge of relevant primary evidence relating to specific topics in the social history of earliest Christianity
  • 2. Demonstrate knowledge of scholarly discussion of the topics addressed in the module and the ability to appraise scholarship critically
  • 3. Formulate one’s own ideas and perspectives on the topics outlined in the syllabus plan, using the relevant primary sources and in critical interaction with scholarly discussion

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

  • 4. The ability to assess primary evidence (primarily in biblical texts) and to develop one’s own deductions and suggestions based on it
  • 5. To critically appraise the work of scholars, especially the methodological bases of their work

ILO: Personal and key skills

  • 6. The ability to present one’s own arguments cogently and coherently, in written form
  • 7. To summarise material clearly and accurately, to demonstrate critical reflection, to organise one’s own study-time effectively

Syllabus plan

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:

  • Introduction: methods and sources
  • The earliest Christian communities: ancient and modern analogies
  • The socio-economic status of the first Christians
  • Early Christian meeting places
  • Ritual and worship in the Christian communities
  • Patterns of power: developing structures and leadership patterns

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
332670

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled learning and teaching22Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching11Seminars
Guided independent study267Private study

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Seminar presentations5 minutes2, 5, 7Oral feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Reading journal401500 words2, 5, 7Written feedback
Essay603000 words1-7Written feedback

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Reading journal1500 words2, 5, 7Written comment
Essay3000 words1-7Written comment

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

  • W.A. Meeks, The First Urban Christians (London & New Haven: Yale University Press, 1983)
  • T.D. Still and D.G Horrell (eds), After the First Urban Christians (London & New York: T&T Clark, 2009)

Module has an active ELE page?

Yes

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

  • D G Horrell (ed.) Social-Scientific Approaches to New Testament Interpretation (Edinburgh: T&TClark, 1999).
  • E Stegemann and W Stegemann, The Jesus Movement: A Social History of its First Century (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1999)
  • G Theissen, The Social Setting of Pauline Christianity (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1982)
  • M Y MacDonald, The Pauline Churches (Cambridge: CUP, 1988)

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

Feb 2016

Last revision date

18/04/2019

Key words search

Early Christianity, New Testament