History of Christianity
The History of Christianity (HC) area studies past theological reflection on the faith and practice of the Church, especially in early and medieval Christianity. The HC area strives to appreciate these theological expressions both within their immediate historical contexts (social, cultural, institutional) and within the broader trajectories of theological development in the Christian tradition.
History of Christianity Faculty
Associated Doctoral Faculty in Church History and Historical Theology from the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry:
Area Admissions Requirements
Students seeking admission to the Ph.D. program with a research interest in History of Christianity should be developing both the linguistic skills and the areas of background knowledge necessary for such study. Those entering the program in this field normally have already begun to study either Greek or Latin, as well as at least one of the primary modern research languages (e.g., German or French). In addition, prospective students are expected to have done preparatory master鈥檚 level coursework in subjects such as Christian history and theology, Biblical studies, ancient philosophy, and classical civilization. The writing sample submitted during application should demonstrate some familiarity with scholarly methods, theological argument, and the use of research languages.
Coursework Requirements
A total of 12 seminars are required. However, a total of 14 are suggested. Finally, a total of 16 are allowed. They are distributed as follows. The specific courses will be determined in consultation between the student, the student鈥檚 advisor, and the faculty of the historical period.听
- Primary Period: 4 seminars.
- Secondary Period: 3 seminars.
- Tertiary Period: 2 seminars, acceptable distribution of which shall be determined by the student鈥檚 advisor in consultation with faculty members in the period.
- Minor: 3 seminars, according to the minor requirements of another area of the department.
- Electives (up to 4 seminars), including church history surveys at the School of Theology and Ministry (STM) or the Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium (BTI), as needed, language courses, or courses in other departments (e.g., Philosophy).
- Historical Area Colloquium: The non-credit area colloquium normally will meet 3 times per semester. Attendance is expected of all students in residence.
Language Requirements
Language requirements in one鈥檚 period of primary historical focus must be fulfilled prior to taking comprehensive examinations. Reading knowledge will be evaluated as either 鈥渋ntermediate鈥� or 鈥渁dvanced.鈥� Facility will be determined either by a written exam or approved coursework. Departmental exams demonstrate 鈥渋ntermediate鈥� knowledge. Area-administered augmented exams demonstrate 鈥渁dvanced鈥� knowledge.听
Requirements by historical focus:
- Early Christianity: Greek (advanced), Latin (advanced), French and German (intermediate); other languages as necessary for research.
- Medieval Christianity: Latin (advanced), Greek (intermediate), French and German (intermediate); other languages as necessary for research.
- Reformation and Early Modern Christianity: Latin and two of the following, as needed for research: French, German, Italian, or Spanish (intermediate)
- Modern Christianity: French and German (intermediate); other languages as necessary for research.
Comps Requirements
- Students will be required to submit four research essays鈥搕hree in the student鈥檚 primary historical era and a fourth in the secondary era before taking exams.
- Students will be provided with standardized reading lists in all four periods. They will take written exams (2.5 hours) in at least three of these, but may take a fourth exam.
- The minor exam will be set by the minor area.
- An oral exam will cover all components.
History of Christianity Minor Requirements
- 3 doctoral seminars, chosen in consultation with an advisor in the historical area.
- Comprehensive exam: preparation of a primary and a secondary period, based on set reading lists; and a third topic based on the student鈥檚 choice. The exam will include questions on two of these three topics.
Resources for听History of Christianity
- Theological Exegesis in Early Christianity
- Augustine, City of God
- Priesthood, Celibacy, and Authority in Ancient Christianity
- The Pelagian Controversy
- Reading Romans in the Early Church: Origen to Augustine
- Early Christian Ascetical Theology
- Late Medieval Mystical Traditions
- Ressourcement in the Nouvelle th茅ologie
- Victorine and Franciscan Theology in the High Middle Ages
- Medieval and Modern Trinitarian Theology
The Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium听is a consortium of theology faculties primarily in the Boston-Newton-Cambridge area. This consortium offers complete cross-registration in several hundred courses, the use of library facilities in the nine schools, joint seminars and programs, and faculty exchange programs.
The Patristica Bostoniensa is a colloquium for faculty and graduate students of the Boston Theological Institute and other institutions in the greater Boston area. It meets on a regular basis for the presentation and discussion of the current research of the colloquium's members.
Students may take Graduate seminars in Boston College鈥檚听Philosophy Department (which is particularly strong in ancient philosophy) as well as in the Departments of Classics and History.
The Boston College Libraries have strong holdings especially in the early and medieval periods.
Summer language instruction is available at Boston College in French, German, and Latin. Syriac instruction is available through the Boston Theological Institute.
The Boston College Colloquy in Historical Theology (蝌蚪直播HT) meets annually in August for the presentation and discussion of lectures in Historical Theology.听The Boston-Providence Patristics Group gathers local scholars several times each semester for discussion of a research paper.
Students seeking admission to the Ph.D. program with a research interest in History of Christianity should be developing both the linguistic skills and the areas of background knowledge necessary for such study. Those entering the program in this field normally have already begun to study either Greek or Latin, as well as at least one of the primary modern research languages (e.g., German or French). In addition, prospective students are expected to have done preparatory master鈥檚 level course work in subjects such as Christian history and theology, Biblical studies, ancient philosophy, and classical civilization. The writing sample submitted during application should demonstrate some familiarity with scholarly methods, theological argument, and the use of research languages.
- Year 1: Hannah Bruckner, Trevor Rickenbrode, Joshua Wong
- Year 2: Michael Dinsmore, Daniel Gustafson, SJ, Jonelle Weier
- Year 3: Jean-Paul Juge, Emily Turner
- Year 4: Dunstan Enzor, OSB
- Year 5: Austin Holmes, Katherine Kimball, Jordan Parro
- Year 6: Robin Landrith
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Graduate Students
- Christopher McLaughlin
- Andrew Gertner Belfield
- John Kern
- Steven Surh
- Jordan Daniel Wood
- Jonathan Bailes
- Justin Shaun Coyle
- Sam Keyes
- Veronica Tierney
- Katie Wrisley Shelby
- Ty Monroe
- Clifton Stringer
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