THST 398.04 Peter & Paul: Early Christians in Rome LMU Rome Program Summer 1999 (May 31-July 2)   Felix Just, S.J Loyola Marymount University

Course Description, Goals and Objectives:
Rome has not only been a major center of Western Christianity for many centuries, but the two greatest early Christian missionaries, Peter and Paul, both came to Rome to preach, teach, and build up the early Church, and both were martyred there around 64 AD.  In this course we will study the beginnings and the growth of the Church in Rome, from the time of the apostles in the first century to the official acceptance of Christianity in the fourth century. The course has the following specific goals and objectives:
 

1) To learn about the gradual growth of Christianity in its first few centuries in the Roman Empire:
        - we will review some highlights of Judeo-Christian history (esp. 2nd cent. BCE to 4th cent. CE).
        - we will study the social, cultural, economic, and political contexts of early Christianity.

2) To become familiar with some early Christian literature, both from and after the New Testament:
        - we will read a variety of New Testament texts, especially those connected with the city of Rome.
        - we will read a selection of related early Christian writings not found within the New Testament.

3) To experience the modern city of Rome as a living laboratory for the study of ancient Christianity:
        - we will visit some museums, churches, catacombs, and other relevant sites in and around Rome.
        - we will consider the difficulties that must be faced in trying to overcome a 2000-year time gap.

4) To improve our academic skills, including critical reading, research, writing, and presentation skills:
        - we will attempt not only to find answers, but to question presuppositions and raise new questions.
        - we will share our insights with others in written assignments, oral discussions, and presentations.

5) To understand and to practice doing theology as an essentially inter-disciplinary enterprise:
        - we will incorporate some insights from the fields of history, literature, language, philosophy, art,
            archaeology, natural and social sciences, etc., as well as using the methods of theology itself.
        - we will reflect on how Christianity today is similar to and/or different from ancient Christianity.

Prerequisites:

None

Required Texts:

1) Any modern translation of the Bible; a small but good study edition is the New American Bible (New York: Catholic Book Publishing, 1988). - ISBN 089-942-9505

2) Brown, Raymond E. & John P. Meier. Antioch and Rome: New Testament Cradles of Catholic Christianity. New York: Paulist Press, 1983. - ISBN 0-8091-2532-3 (may be out of print)

3) Chadwick, Henry. The Early Church. Penguin History of the Church, 1. Revised edition. London & New York: Penguin, 1993.  - ISBN 0-14-023199-4

4) Staniforth, Maxwell, trans.  Early Christian Writings: The Apostolic Fathers. Penguin Classics, 197. Revised edition by Andrew Louth. London & New York: Penguin, 1987. - ISBN 0-14-044475-0
 

1) Regular Attendance and Participation in Classes and Field Trips

2) Daily Reading Assignments

3) Several Short (1-2 pages) Written Exercises

4) Periodic Quizzes and a Final Exam

Possible Site Visits in and around Rome:

Roman Forum and environs, including the Arch of Titus

Roman Colisseum and environs, including the Arch of Constantine

Vatican City:
        St. Peter's Basilica
        Scavi underneath St. Peter's
        Vatican Museums

Major Roman Basilicas:
        St. Paul outside the Walls
        St. John Lateran
        St. Maria Maggiore
        San Clemente

Tiber River and Environs:
        Tiber Island
        Jewish Synagogue & Ghetto

Catacombs (several)

Ostia Antiqua

Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii

Course Syllabus and Schedule:

More details will be posted as soon as they are available