History of Christianity

This study of Christianity will approach the subject both as an institution (from its beginning to the present day) and as an intellectual tradition. Attention will be given to: the persecution of the church in the early centuries, the institutional history of the Medieval Church, the Papacy, the Protestant Reformation and the Counter Reformation. The course will include visits to medieval, renaissance and modern churches and monasteries in Florence. This course includes a Service Learning component in the Florentine Community as a learning tool. Service Learning is a kind of experiential education that connects classroom learning with community service. In collaboration with community organizations, students learn about and apply tools of the academic discipline and specific course concepts in their service experiences. This combination enhances academic learning and civic awareness while also providing a meaningful service to and with the community.