Pagans, Jews, and Christians in Late Antiquity

Module Code:

MAH8720

When taught:

n/a

Credit points:

20

Method of Assessment:

1 x 5,000 word essay

Teaching Methods:

Module pack

Availability

Residential and distance students

Lecturer:

D. Lee & D. Noy

Contact hours (for residential students):

N/A

Syllabus:
One of the features that distinguish the medieval Byzantine Empire from the Roman Empire of Classical times is the pre-eminent position of Christianity. This module aims to examine the process by which this change came about between the third and fifth centuries, a period of major religious upheaval. The module will examine the state of both paganism and Christianity in the third century before turning to the consequences of Constantine, and the character of pagan-Christian relations during the fourth century. The success or otherwise of measures to suppress paganism in the late fourth and fifth centuries will be assessed. Attention will also be given to the fate of Judaism and Jewish communities across the same centuries. Important themes in an emerging Christian culture will also be studied, such as the growing role of bishops, the development of Christian asceticism and the evolution of pilgrimage. The module will seek to familiarise students with the wide range of types of evidence through which these matters can be studied, and to develop critical skills in the use of them and in the reading of modern discussions.

Learning outcomes:

• To become familiar with the main sources of evidence for the history and religion in late Antiquity
• To become aware of the problems with and limitations of that evidence.

Transferable and other skills involved:  

Academic writing skills.

Bibliography:

• A.Cameron, The Late Roman Empire. AD 284-430, London 1993.
• A. D. Lee, Pagans and Christians in Late Antiquity : A Sourcebook, London 2000.

Evaluation (including student evaluation):  

Students will be asked to complete a questionnaire at the end of the module. This will be used by the Department in its annual review of all its teaching to help evaluate the module’s success. The external examiner will also have the opportunity to make comments and results of the questionnaires will be discussed in the SSCC.