The History of Christianity MA program (42 hrs) provides an opportunity for students to explore the contours of Christian history across two millennia in a liberal arts context. Over the course of two years, students will undertake rigorous and critical study of the history of the Christian church as it interacted with theological, social, political, intellectual, economic, gender, and cultural factors. Core courses will provide a comprehensive knowledge of Christian history and equip students with skills necessary for advanced historical work. Students will then have the foundation to progress in their understanding of the field through more in-depth seminar courses.
Students may choose to tailor the program or to focus the program by selecting from three concentrations:
- Early Christianity
- Reformation Christianity
- Modern Christianity
In addition to the pursuit of academic excellence, skills for service in the church and society worldwide will be fostered. Those who excel in the program will be prepared to undertake doctoral work in the history of Christianity, historical theology, and history.
The History of Christianity MA, requires 42 hours:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Historical Studies | 24 | |
| BITH 576 | History of Christianity to 1900 | 4 |
| BITH 577 | World Christianity 1 | 4 |
| BITH 581 | The Reformation | 4 |
| BITH 585 | History of Christianity in North America 1 | 4 |
| BITH 677 | Topics in the History of Christianity 1, 2, 3,4 | 8 |
| Historical Theology | 4 | |
| Select 4 credits of the following: 3 | 4 | |
| Historical Theology: Patristic | ||
| Historical Theology: Medieval Christianity | ||
| Historical Theology: Reformation | ||
| Historical Theology: Modern | ||
| Biblical and Systematic Theology 4 | 4 | |
| BITH 525 | Biblical Theology | 4 |
| or BITH 565 | Christian Theology | |
| Historical Skills & Methodology 5 | 6 | |
| Four credits from: | 4 | |
| Language Study I | ||
| Language Study II | ||
| Language Study III | ||
| Language Study II | ||
| BITH 683 | Historiography of the History of Christianity | 2 |
| BITH 684 | Vocation Formation in Biblical and Theological Studies (strongly recommended) | 0 |
| Electives 6 | 4 or 8 | |
All concentration students are required to select from the following: | ||
| Independent Study (4 credits in their concentrated subject) | ||
or BITH 698 | Thesis | |
| Comprehensive Exam | ||
| BITH 692 | Graduate Comprehensive Exam (Students should not take the exam before they have completed 32 credits of the program.) | 0 |
| Total Credits | 80-84 | |
| 1 | Early Christianity concentration students choose either BITH 577 or BITH 585 and will complete 4 additional elective credits from BITH 677 or BITH 679. |
| 2 | Reformation concentration students are required to take one seminar (BITH 677 that corresponds with the Reformation concentration; one seminar must be taken from the Early or Modern concentrations. |
| 3 | Modern concentration students are required to take one seminar (BITH 677) that corresponds with the Modern period; one seminar must be taken from the Early or Reformation periods. |
| 4 | Students without a concentration must take seminars from two different periods, chosen from Early, Reformation, or Modern. |
| 5 | Students with qualified coursework in this requirement and with permission from their advisor may choose instead from the following options: |
| 6 | Students not planning to pursue doctoral work may receive permission from their advisor to use these credits towards their electives. |
| 7 | 8 elective credits required if students opt out of BITH 505 Language Study III with permission. |
| 8 | Concentration students are required to take one Historical Theology course that corresponds with their concentration. |