B8007 - Themes and Issues in Christianity (1)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the students have the knowledge required to orient himself or herself among some major problems in the history of Christianity, obtained through a selection of texts and sources relating to the most relevant nodes of the entanglement between religion, law, politics. Students are able to formulate questions and understand the main typology of of sources; they are able to identify the main conceptual categories of contemporary critical reflection and possess the tools to adequately evaluate what is historically relevant (structures, events). In oral communication, they have good ability to read and critically understand the basic scholarship concerning the topics covered in the course and are able to use the technical terminology of the discipline.

Course contents

The second module aims to:

1. Continue exploring certain topics introduced in the first module;

2. Delve deeper into some metacontent-related issues concerning the history of Christianity in Italy and Europe.

Regarding the first point, the objective is to offer students the opportunity to become familiar in particular with a historiographical perspective that has become a "classic" in 20th-century critical literature, allowing them to continue the diachronic journey begun in Module I, from Luther to the 20th century.

As for the second point, the module will address certain issues in the history of ecclesiastical law, more specifically the history of the relationship between state and religion (especially Christianity).

Readings/Bibliography

• 10 essays freely chosen from the following volumes:

1. A. Melloni, Rapporto sull’analfabetismo religioso in Italia, Il Mulino, Bologna 2013;
2. A. Melloni, Cristiani d'Italia, Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana Fondata da Giovanni Treccani, Rome 2011;

• M. Weber, The Sociology of Religion, vol. 1 The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism [any edition].

There is, therefore, no substantial difference between the syllabus for attending and non-attending students. Naturally, attendance will make it easier to understand certain content.

Teaching methods

Lectures; historical-critical analysis of primary sources. Attendance is not mandatory, but it helps to better assimilate the content that will later be assessed in the exam (written or oral – see the section "Assessment Methods").

Assessment methods

Students are reminded that attendance is recognized for those who participate in at least 75% of the lessons (classes will begin on November 10). That said, attending lectures does not affect the exam outcome, except for differences in the syllabus (see the "Texts/Bibliography" section).

The exam will be an oral examination, based on the reading and commentary of primary sources and critical literature. It will not be divided into separate parts. Assessment will consider both the ability to interpret primary sources and specific knowledge of the history of Christianity. Students will be expected to demonstrate mastery of the specific terminology and knowledge of diachronic data (historical dates and events).

Below is an example of possible questions (to be understood as a mere general indication of a much broader range): “Read and comment on the following passage,” “Religious education and the university.”

The use of books or notes during the exam is not permitted.

The examination will be conducted in the order of registration on the Almaesami platform.

Grading criteria:

• Excellent (grade 30 and 30 with honors): Achievement of a comprehensive understanding of the topics covered in the lectures and critical use of content, demonstrating mastery of both subject matter and technical vocabulary.

• Average (grades 25 to 29): Rote knowledge and an imprecise use of technical terminology.

• Sufficient (grades 18 to 24): Minimal knowledge of the topics (dates and names), without major errors.

• Insufficient: Failure to meet the minimum requirements (i.e., those of a sufficient evaluation).

Exams will be held (approximately) in the months of January, February, May, June, July, September, November, and December.

Teaching tools

Multimedia materials (iconographic sources) and lesson notes.

Students with learning disorders and/or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Davide Dainese