Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit explores the history of Christianity, from its inception in antiquity as a small sect of Judaism to its global expansion as the world's most popular religion. Christianity is no monolithic religion, but it comprises a vast set of traditions that differ in significant ways, from theological beliefs to political practices to authoritative texts. A key aim of this unit is to examine the history of how Christianity came to be represented by such diverse sets of beliefs and practices by considering the major events, texts, and figures that constituted and informed these changes. The content is divided roughly into historical periods. These include, but are not limited to the following: New Testament Christianity, the Patristic era and Byzantine Christianity, medieval European Christianity, the Reformations and early modern Christianity, and global Christianity in modernity. Significant historical events such as the Council of Nicaea, the East/West Schism, the rise of monasticism and scholasticism, the Crusades, the Protestant Reformation, and the global missions will receive due attention. Along the way, we will consider the recurring historical debates and theological controversies surrounding issues such as the doctrine of the Trinity, the Eucharist, and the resurrection of the body, which both demarcate Christianity from other world religions but also demarcate different Christian sects and denominations from one another.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 3 option in the History major sequence
- Level 3 elective
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) describe and assess important historical events and developments within the Christian tradition; (2) describe and assess the basic methodological characteristics of the history discipline through the study of the history of Christianity and its historiography; (3) locate and use a range of historical sources for researching and writing a major essay; (4) analyse primary sources from the Christian tradition from the perspective of their historical context(s) and with reference to secondary scholarship on said sources; and (5) relate independent interpretations to the complex historiographical debates concerning the history of Christianity in both written and oral assessments using the conventions of the historical discipline..
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) workshop participation; (2) source analyses; and (3) research essay. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Kirk Essary
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- Completion of 12 points of level 2 units.
- Advisable prior study
- Any HIST coded units.
- Contact hours
- workshops: 2 hours per week
lectures: 1 hour per week
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.