Department: Church History

Code Name Description
CHS4495 ACADEMIC DEAN TRANSFER CREDIT This course code is used to allocate transfer credit to the Church History elective category on the academic evaluation.
CHS5500 STORY OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH This course enables students to understand the development of the church in historical context, with special emphasis on the theological, cultural, philosophical, and political factors that shaped the church.
CHS5505 HISTORY OF THE BLACK CHURCH An examination and interpretation of the history of the black church, including the seven historic American black denominations: the African Methodist Episcopal Church; the African Methodist Episcopal Church; the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Chur...
CHS5531 History and Theology of Pastoral Care Effective and vital pastoral ministry depend upon a competent theological foundation that is woven into the daily practices of the clergy. This course is a historical survey of theological reflection on pastoral care through the centuries. The c...
CHS5550 GLOBAL CHRISTIANITY An introductory history of Christianity in Africa, Asia and South America.
CHS5551 HISTORY OF MISSIONS A survey of the expansion of Christianity from a global perspective. The course emphasizes the Great Commission, the example of the New Testament Church, critical factors and themes in each historical era, the genesis of Protestant missions, influent...
CHS6607 APOCRYPHA & CHRISTIAN CHURCH Cross-listed with CHS 6607 and CTH 6607 The Apocrypha contains Jewish texts from the Hellenistic and Roman period but exists as a collection because of the reading practices of the early Christian Church. This course will introduce students both to...
CHS6611 HISTORICAL THEOLOGY I The course examines the thought of the church from the Apostolic Fathers to the Reformation. The emphasis of the study will be upon major figures, literature and controversies as they affected Christian thought.
CHS6612 HISTORICAL THEOLOGY II This course is a continuation of Historical Theology I and takes up the development of Christian thought with the Reformation and continues to the modern era. Special consideration is given to major figures, literature and controversies that have inf...
CHS6615 HIST/LIT OF CHR SPIRITUALITY A chronological survey of outstanding devotional writings from the apostolic age to the present. The focus will be on the breadth of this literature as well as acquaintance with major authors and their works.
CHS6616 HISTORY OF WOMEN IN THE CHURC A study of women's lives, service and contribution to the church beginning with the Bible and early Christian writings. Women's roles and contributions will be surveyed in the apostolic period, the ascetic movement, the medieval period and the Reform...
CHS6619 HIST CHRISTIAN ETHICAL THGT This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the history and development of Christian ethical thought and practices from the early church to today.
CHS6620 VAR OF EARLY CHRISTIAN THGHT This course is a survey of extant literature produced by the church in the patristic period (ca. AD 95-750). Its goal is a working knowledge of early Christian thought in its unity and diversity, continuity and development. Students will be encourage...
CHS6621 HIST/THGT OF EASTERN CHURCH A study of Orthodox Christianity from the first century to the present, with a particular emphasis upon the Byzantine influence.
CHS6622 HIST/THGT OF MEDIEVAL CHURCH This course examines historical and theological developments within the church from the end of the patristic period to the eve of the Reformation. It will highlight important individuals, groups, and ideas that have influenced the development of Chri...
CHS6625 CHRISTIAN MONASTICISM An introduction to the history, practices, and ideals of Christian monasticism from its origins to the "new monasticism" of contemporary North America, with special attention to the Benedictine tradition. The seminar includes immersion n a monastic c...
CHS6630 HIST/THGT OF THE REFORMATION This course focuses upon the historical and theological developments of the Reformation period. It will explore important people, ideas, and events in the major Protestant streams - Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, and Anabaptist - as well as in the Cat...
CHS6631 HIST OF ANABAPTIST MVT This course traces the history of the Anabaptist movement from its varied beginnings in the 16th century to more recent developments among the major expressions of the movement: the Swiss Brethren, Mennonites, Hutterites, and Amish.
CHS6635 HIST/THGT OF PIETISM This course considers the history and thought of Pietism, identifying its origins and focusing on the major people and institutions that are connected with the varied expressions of Pietism in the latter 17th and early 18th centuries. The course als...
CHS6637 CHRISTIANITY IN AMERICA This is a study of Christianity in the American environment from the seventeenth century to the present. The transplanting of the European churches, the development of unique expressions in Christianity in America and the nature of Christianity will...
CHS6638 AMER METHODISM/PENTE ROOTS An examination of the Methodist contribution to American Christianity and the rise of the perfectionistic and Pentecostal groups that resulted from it.
CHS6640 CONT THEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES This course is a chronological survey of major theologians and theological movements of the 20th and 21st centuries. Through engagement with both primary and secondary sources, students will gain an understanding of the diversity of voices within con...
CHS6667 WOMEN SPIRITUAL WRITERS This course offers an in-depth study of the primary writings of prominent women in the field of spirituality throughout Christian history. Particular writers to be studies are: Perpetua, Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich, Teresa of Avila, Susan...
CHS6668 BIOGR STUD IN CHR LEADERSHIP An examination of the lives of representative figures in the history of Christianity, specifically analyzing the essential features of their message and mission as Christian leaders in response to the challenges of their age.
CHS6690 LIFE/THGHT OF M.L. KING JR. This course examines in detail the enormous contribution of one of the greatest religious leaders of the 20th century. King's life and contribution to the black church and the Civil Rights Movement will be addressed. His work as a theologian and an e...
CHS6691 M.L. KING JR. & MALCOLM This course is a comparison and contrast, as well as an examination of the life, works, and contributions of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X in America.
CHS7700 HISTORY OF BRETHREN CHURCH This course considers the historical development of the Brethren movement from its origins in Anabaptism and Pietism to the present day. Special attention is given to the Brethren Church since the 1880s. (Required of all Brethren M.Div. Students)
CHS7703 HISTORY OF THE UMC This course surveys the history of United Methodism from its rise in England in the 18th century to the present, with attention to the forces that have shaped the movement and its impact on the various contexts in which it has developed. Approximatel...
CHS7706 HISTORY OF THE ( ) CHURCH This is a course to satisfy various denominational standards in history, doctrine, and polity and can be arranged through the Academic Dean's office.
CHS7730 LIFE/THOUGHT OF THE WESLEYS This course focuses upon the distinctive theological contributions of the Wesleys to the larger Christian tradition, exploring the dynamic of living faith that characterized early Methodism and made the movement a potent source for spiritual and soci...
CHS7740 STD IN LIBERALISM/FUNDAMENTAL The course provides an overview of the liberal-fundamentalist controversy in America that raged during the first third of the twentieth century. American Christianity during the nineteenth century will be studied as a background for the controversy....
CHS7745 ESCHATOLOGY IN AMERICA A survey of the significant eschatological views in America from the seventeenth century to the present. Consideration will be given to the historical roots of the views, the impulses which fostered their appearance, growth, decline and their impact...
CHS7750 HIST/THGT OF CHR PEACE POSIT This course focuses on those individuals and groups, especially Anabaptist, who have contributed to the peace position in the Christian church. Consideration will be given both to the history of and a biblical and theological rationale for the Christ...
CHS7790 PILOT COURSE IN Uncatalogued courses are offered occasionally to enrich the offerings of the major and to tap the resources of department faculty and visiting scholars. Specific course titles and descriptions are available when the course is scheduled.
CHS7792 CONFERENCE/SEMINAR IN Credit is available for those who attend approved conferences and seminars. Students should check with the department chairperson for reading and writing requirements associated with attendance at approved conferences and seminars.
CHS7794 INDEPENDENT STUDY Independent Studies are designed to cover specialized material not usually included in a course offering listed in the catalog.
CHS7798 SENIOR SEMINAR IN CHURCH HIST This course provides the capstone experience for students enrolled in the Master of Arts (Historical and Theological Studies) program. Students will write a seminar paper presenting the results of their investigation of a particular historical or the...
CHS7799 THESIS IN CHURCH HISTORY This course represents the credit awarded for the successful completion of a master's thesis. Students will consult regularly with their thesis advisors through the drafting and revising process until the thesis advisor determines that the thesis is...