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Lecture-based
Low intensity
How did a small, persecuted Jewish sect from a remote province transform the greatest empire the world had ever known? The Roman Empire's conversion to Christianity is one of history’s most influential moments that reshaped the very soul of the West. This eight-lecture journey traces the often turbulent process that turned a pagan empire into the foundation of medieval Europe. We’ll move beyond simple tales of conversion to explore a gripping story of clashing worldviews, political opportunism, spiritual fervor, and astonishing adaptability.
The module will follow an 8-session structure as shown below:
The module will follow an 8-session structure as shown below:
| Outline | 8-Session Structure |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Session 1: I A World of Many Gods: Pagan Rome Meets a Jewish Sect |
| Session 2: The Offensive Faith: Why Christianity Was Different | |
| Week 2 | Session 3: Seeds in the Cracks: Growth and Adaptation in the Second and Third Centuries |
| Session 4: The Imperial Convert: Constantine and the Cross of Victory | |
| Week 3 | Session 5: From Faith in Caesar to Caesar's Faith: The Christian Empire Takes Shape |
| Session 6: City of God vs. City of Man: Collapse and Reinvention | |
| Week 4 | Session 7: The Christian Landscape: Rites, Rivalries, and the Erasure of Paganism |
| Session 8: The Imperial Church: Justinian's Dream and the Legacy of a Baptized Rome |
Required Texts
There are no required texts for this module.
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