Introduction to Christianity
RELI 3330 – 2015
Instructor: The Rev. Fr. John Mikita
Office: TBA
Phone: 903-714-2010
Office Hours: By Appointment
Email: jmikita@uttyler.org
Course Description:
This course introduces the student to the Christian theological tradition. From
a historical timeline, it travels from the Old Testament to the Modern day
exploring the various principles and dogmas of Christianity. This
course also focuses on the theological differences within the Christian
traditions and prepares the student to be better ecumenically equipped in
inter-Christian dialogue. Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this
course, you will:
Identify the key elements that makes one Christian
Trace the early history of the Church to the modern day
Evaluate the significance of the Gospels in laying the foundation for Christian
theology
Identify key Christian historical figures
Understand the key points of Christology
Understand the key points of the Trinity
Differentiate between the Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Church
Course Texts:
The History of Christianity. Bradley P. Nystrom and David P. Nystrom.
McGraw Hill. New York, NY. 2004
Final Grade:
(20%) Attendance, preparation and informed class participation
(40%) Four exams
(40%) Research paper
Course Schedule
(Dates and Content may change as needed)
NOTE: The Nystrom readings will be the minimum – additional readings as
handouts/Blackboard will be assigned throughout the semester. Students
must own a Bible, and while translations are up to you, please avoid dynamic
equivalents such as the NIV or NEV for academic/study purposes. Preferable
versions are the RSV, NRSV, NKJ, or NASB.
Week 1
Introduction
Backgrounds to Christianity
Nystrom pages 1-19
Oral Tradition – Bailey, Kenneth “Informal Controlled
Oral Tradition and the Synoptic Gospels”
www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/article_tradition_bailey.html
Creation and the Ancestral Sin
Genesis 1-3
Week 2
The Birth of Christianity
(Nystrom Chapter 2, pgs 22-44; Matt 1-3; Luke 2:1-20)
Week 3
Teaching and Works of Christ
Matt. 4:23-7:29 and further assigned reading
Theological considerations
Week 4
The Apostolic Age and the Roman World
(Acts 3-8)
(Nystrom Chapter 3, pgs 48-78) (Didache; Apostolic
Constitutions; Life of St. Anthony)
Week 5
Christianity in the Roman World
(Readings to be assigned in class)
Exam 1
Week 6
The Patristic Age
(Nystrom Chapter 4, 80-111)
Irenaeus and the Gnostics
Week 7
Patristic Age Continued
Athanasios and Arius
Augustine and Pelagius
Cyril of Alexandria and Nestorius
Christology and Trinity articulated
Week 8
The Early Middle ages
(Nystrom Chapter 5, pages 113-147)
Constantine; Symphony; Councils; Heresy; Oriental Schism;
Iconoclasm; East/West Divergence; Great Schism
Week 9
Early Middle Ages continued
Mid term Exam
Week 10
High Middle Ages
(Nystrom Chp. 6, 151-186)
Week 11
Late Middle Ages
(Nystrom Chp. 7, 189-222)
Week 12
The Protestant Reformation in the Western Church
(Nystrom Chp. 8, 225-253)
Week 13
Reformation and Counter-Reformation
(Nystrom Chp. 9, 256-285)
Class assigned reading
Week 14
Protestant Reformation Cont.
Thanksgiving Break
Week 15
Age of Division and Expansion
(Nystrom Chp. 10, 288-315)
Exam 3
Week 16
The Modern World
(Nystrom Chp. 11 and 12, 318-378)
Week 17
Issues in Contemporary World Christianity
Final Exam
Further Reminders
Students Rights and Responsibilities
To know and understand the policies that affect your rights and responsibilities as a student at UT Tyler,
please follow this link: http://www.uttyler.edu/wellness/StudentRightsandResponsibilities.html
Attendance and Make Policy
Attendance is required for this course and non-attendance will cause a grade reduction. No exam make-ups
are allowed; one exam missed will count as the lowest grade dropped. All written assignments (for example,
book reports, abstracts and/or research papers) are due on the date assigned. Late papers will not be excused
without serious justification. Broken printers or computers do not count as serious justification. Students
need to back up all written data.
Grade Replacement/Forgiveness
If you are repeating this course for a grade replacement, you must file an intent to receive grade forgiveness
with the registrar by the 12th day of class. Failure to do so will result in both the original and repeated grade
being used to calculate your overall grade point average. Undergraduates will receive grade forgiveness
(grade replacement) for only three course repeats; graduates, for two course repeats during his/her career at
UT Tyler.
State-Mandated Course Drop Policy
Texas law prohibits a student who began college for the first time in Fall 2007 or thereafter from dropping
more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career. This includes courses dropped at another 2year or 4-year Texas public college or university. For purposes of this rule, a dropped course is any course
that is dropped after the 12th day of class (January 26th).
Exceptions to the 6-drop rule include, but are not limited to, the following: totally withdrawing from the
university; being administratively dropped from a course; dropping a course for a personal emergency;
dropping a course for documented change of work schedule; or dropping a course for active duty service with
the U.S. armed forces or Texas National Guard.
Petitions for exemptions must be submitted to the Registrar's Office and must be accompanied by
documentation of the extenuating circumstance. Please contact the Registrar's Office if you have any
questions.
Disability Services
In accordance with federal law, a student requesting accommodation must provide documentation of his/her
disability to the Disability Support Services counselor. If you have a disability, including a learning disability,
for which you request an accommodation, please contact Ida MacDonald in the Disability Support Services
office in UC 282, or call (903) 566-7079.
Student Absence due to Religious Observance
Students who anticipate being absent from class due to a religious observance are requested to inform the
instructor of such absences by the second class meeting of the semester.
Student Absence for University-Sponsored Events and Activities
If you intend to be absent for a university-sponsored event or activity, you (or the event sponsor) must notify
the instructor at least two weeks prior to the date of the planned absence. At that time the instructor will set a
date and time when make-up assignments will be completed.
Social Security and FERPA Statement:
It is the policy of The University of Texas at Tyler to protect the confidential nature of social security
numbers. The University has changed its computer programming so that all students have an identification
number. The electronic transmission of grades (e.g., via e-mail) risks violation of the Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act; grades will not be transmitted electronically.