HIST 207 Early Christian World

The early Christian world has profoundly influenced the religious, social, and cultural ideals and values of modern societies. Students explore the diversity and historical developments of Christianity within the contexts of the Roman empire and learn to analyze ancient sources to interpret the past. Topics include Jewish backgrounds and Christian origins, the growth of the church, Roman persecution and assimilation, the conversion of the emperor Constantine, religious pluralism and violence, and the nature of Christianization between the first and seventh centuries.