Early Christianity
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The course provides the broad outlines of the history of ancient Christianity and the tools necessary to understand the main aspects (historical, theological, ecclesiological and regarding heresy) of Christianity from the age of origin to late antiquity.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course the student will have acquired the epistemological foundations of the discipline and the coordination essential for the critical knowledge of Christian origins, the main historiographic traditions that concern them and the historical-critical instrumentation that, in this tradition of research, has been refined by the most significant methodological schools; historical and geographical. The student will be able to use language tools (language properties, correct specific lexicon) to express, in a clear and effective form, concepts of a political, institutional, economic, and religious nature; they will be able to read critically historiographical works and use the main tools, including digital tools, for the research and analysis of sources. These skills will be acquired through a direct and continuous meeting with the instructor in the classroom. The discussion around the proposed sources will be an essential moment of critical reflection and methodological learning, through which the foundations for the critical exegesis of the ancient Christian document will be made available to the student, both in terms of the content and that of the different "specific languages" adopted by the authors.
Participation in meetings and seminars organized within the Department of Historical Studies will also be of great importance. Students opting not to attend the lessons will be able to make use of the educational tools provided by the instructor on Ariel, deepen their knowledge of main topics through special readings with the agreement with the instructor, and of course contact the instructor either by e-mail and during office hours.
Participation in meetings and seminars organized within the Department of Historical Studies will also be of great importance. Students opting not to attend the lessons will be able to make use of the educational tools provided by the instructor on Ariel, deepen their knowledge of main topics through special readings with the agreement with the instructor, and of course contact the instructor either by e-mail and during office hours.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Title of the course: «From Optatus Milevitanus to Augustine of Hippo: eliminating the Donatist movement in Roman North Africa»
Module 1: The explosion of the crisis at the beginning of the fourth century: ecclesiologies in competition between "Church of the martyrs" and "Church of the traitors' children". The control of the basilicas as a success strategy
Module 2: Optatus Milevitanus and the redefinition of ecclesial fraternity: from the possession of the "gifts of the Church" to the definition of "catholicity"
Module 3: From schism to heresy, from an interecclesial conflict to a matter of law and order: Augustine's narrative construction contrasting donatism
Module 1: The explosion of the crisis at the beginning of the fourth century: ecclesiologies in competition between "Church of the martyrs" and "Church of the traitors' children". The control of the basilicas as a success strategy
Module 2: Optatus Milevitanus and the redefinition of ecclesial fraternity: from the possession of the "gifts of the Church" to the definition of "catholicity"
Module 3: From schism to heresy, from an interecclesial conflict to a matter of law and order: Augustine's narrative construction contrasting donatism
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific requirements different from those requested for the degree admission
Teaching methods
Attendance to classes is strongly recommended although not compulsory. The teaching is delivered through frontal lectures aimed primarly at the acquisition of knowledge, competence and specific language on the subject. Discussion with the teacher in the classroom is integrant part of the didactic method and aims at promoting a critical attitude and the capacity to apply the acquired competence and knowledge.
The teaching is also based on didactic material provided on Ariel.
Each lesson is based on a systematic examination of ancient sources.
The teaching is also based on didactic material provided on Ariel.
Each lesson is based on a systematic examination of ancient sources.
Teaching Resources
ATTENDING STUDENTS:
Module A (6 and 9 CFU)
1) Notes and materials distributed during the course (Module A);
2) G. Laiti - C. Simonelli, Manuale di Storia della Chiesa. I: L'età antica (dir. U. dell'Orto - S. Xeres), Morcelliana, Brescia 2018, pp. 47-344;
3) W. Weren, Finestre su Gesù, Claudiana, Torino 2001.
Module B (6 and 9 CFU)
1) Notes and materials distributed during the course (Modules A and B);
Module C (only 9 CFU)
1) Notes and materials distributed during all the course (Modules A, B, and C)
2) A. Rossi, La conferenza di Cartagine 411 (Letture Cristiane del Primo Millennio 54), Milano 2016, pp.11-119.
NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS:
Module A (6 and 9 CFU)
1) G. Laiti - C. Simonelli, Manuale di Storia della Chiesa. I: L'età antica (dir. U. dell'Orto - S. Xeres), Morcelliana, Brescia 2018, pp. 47-344;
2) W. Weren, Finestre su Gesù, Claudiana, Torino 2001.
Module B (6 and 9 CFU)
A. Rossi, Muscae moriturae donatistae circumvolant. La costruzione di "identità plurali" nel cristianesimo dell'Africa Romana [Collana del Dipartimento di Studi Storici dell'Università di Torino 3], Ledizioni, Milano 2013, pp. 17-245. The volume can be freely downloaded in .pdf format at the following web addresses:
https://www.ledizioni.it/prodotto/alessandro-rossi-muscae-moriturae-donatistae-circumvolant/
https://www.dipstudistorici.unito.it/do/documenti.pl/Show?_id=b2y9
https://www.academia.edu/3584515/Muscae_moriturae_donatistae_circumvolant_la_costruzione_di_identit%C3%A0_plurali_nel_cristianesimo_dellAfrica_Romana .
Unità didattica C (solo 9 CFU)
1) A. Rossi, Muscae moriturae donatistae circumvolant. La costruzione di "identità plurali" nel cristianesimo dell'Africa Romana [Collana del Dipartimento di Studi Storici dell'Università di Torino 3], Ledizioni, Milano 2013, pp. 268-290. The volume can be freely downloaded in .pdf format at the following web addresses: see indications for Module B;
2) A. Rossi, La conferenza di Cartagine 411 (Letture Cristiane del Primo Millennio 54), Milano 2016, pp.11-119.
International and Erasmus students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor in order to arrange a reading plan (eventually in english or in their native language).
Module A (6 and 9 CFU)
1) Notes and materials distributed during the course (Module A);
2) G. Laiti - C. Simonelli, Manuale di Storia della Chiesa. I: L'età antica (dir. U. dell'Orto - S. Xeres), Morcelliana, Brescia 2018, pp. 47-344;
3) W. Weren, Finestre su Gesù, Claudiana, Torino 2001.
Module B (6 and 9 CFU)
1) Notes and materials distributed during the course (Modules A and B);
Module C (only 9 CFU)
1) Notes and materials distributed during all the course (Modules A, B, and C)
2) A. Rossi, La conferenza di Cartagine 411 (Letture Cristiane del Primo Millennio 54), Milano 2016, pp.11-119.
NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS:
Module A (6 and 9 CFU)
1) G. Laiti - C. Simonelli, Manuale di Storia della Chiesa. I: L'età antica (dir. U. dell'Orto - S. Xeres), Morcelliana, Brescia 2018, pp. 47-344;
2) W. Weren, Finestre su Gesù, Claudiana, Torino 2001.
Module B (6 and 9 CFU)
A. Rossi, Muscae moriturae donatistae circumvolant. La costruzione di "identità plurali" nel cristianesimo dell'Africa Romana [Collana del Dipartimento di Studi Storici dell'Università di Torino 3], Ledizioni, Milano 2013, pp. 17-245. The volume can be freely downloaded in .pdf format at the following web addresses:
https://www.ledizioni.it/prodotto/alessandro-rossi-muscae-moriturae-donatistae-circumvolant/
https://www.dipstudistorici.unito.it/do/documenti.pl/Show?_id=b2y9
https://www.academia.edu/3584515/Muscae_moriturae_donatistae_circumvolant_la_costruzione_di_identit%C3%A0_plurali_nel_cristianesimo_dellAfrica_Romana .
Unità didattica C (solo 9 CFU)
1) A. Rossi, Muscae moriturae donatistae circumvolant. La costruzione di "identità plurali" nel cristianesimo dell'Africa Romana [Collana del Dipartimento di Studi Storici dell'Università di Torino 3], Ledizioni, Milano 2013, pp. 268-290. The volume can be freely downloaded in .pdf format at the following web addresses: see indications for Module B;
2) A. Rossi, La conferenza di Cartagine 411 (Letture Cristiane del Primo Millennio 54), Milano 2016, pp.11-119.
International and Erasmus students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor in order to arrange a reading plan (eventually in english or in their native language).
Assessment methods and Criteria
- Method: oral examination
- Type of examination: oral interrogation
- Evaluation criteria: knowledge of the foundamental notions of the discipline
- Critical reasoning skills (critical evaluation of the sources; critical evaluation of the scientific literature)
- Quality of exposition, competence in the use of specialized lexicon
- Type of evaluation method: mark in 30s
-
The examination procedures for students with disabilities or DSA should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as the relevant office.
- Type of examination: oral interrogation
- Evaluation criteria: knowledge of the foundamental notions of the discipline
- Critical reasoning skills (critical evaluation of the sources; critical evaluation of the scientific literature)
- Quality of exposition, competence in the use of specialized lexicon
- Type of evaluation method: mark in 30s
-
The examination procedures for students with disabilities or DSA should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as the relevant office.
Unita' didattica A
M-STO/07 - HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY AND OF CHURCHES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-STO/07 - HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY AND OF CHURCHES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-STO/07 - HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY AND OF CHURCHES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours