Pre-requisites

HS502.306 Introduction to Christian History

Co-requisites

None.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

• Critically evaluate key moments, issues and people in the history of Christianity in Australia.

• Critically analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the Australian church and/or Australian Christianity at specific moments in history.

• Critically assess the role of the Australian church in the life of the nation at different periods in Australian history.

• Apply lessons from Australian church history to contemporary Australian Christianity.

• Examine and use primary sources and major secondary sources in history to support the analysis of a discussion and/or argument.

Unit Description

This unit will first consider the period of the church as the convict chaplaincy (1788-1833) including: British background; the early Anglican ascendancy and colonial chaplaincy; the recognition of non-Anglican churches and the Church Acts; policies on education, emancipation and transportation, and mission to Aborigines.

Then the consolidation of the churches (1833-1880) shall be considered including: the development from chaplaincy to organised religion with indigenous ministry; denominationalism and sectarianism; liberalism, secularism and volunteerism; the churches in the growing context of the Gold rushes and its influence; the abolition of state aid for church educational projects; and the beginning and consolidation of denominational Australia.

The churches confronted by the twentieth century (1880-1960) will be examined including: denominational consolidation; the churches relationship to home churches and new religious forms; socio-political issues, such as Sunday closing, temperance and federation; the churches and World War I; the churches and the depression; the churches in World War II; and the impact of post-war immigration and White Australia.

The churches today (1960 onwards) is examined including: the rise of the Bible College movement; the Charismatic movement; sectarianism and mass media religion; the para-church groups; the ecumenical movement and the Australian Council of Churches; missions to Aborigines and overseas; the churches involvement in community and political issues; and the issues facing the church in its current environment.

Teaching Strategies

Teaching strategies include: lectures and tutorials; weekend schools; class discussions; and presentation of instructional material in the form of printed documentation, DVD, video and audio tape and online interaction.

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Unit offerings

Online: (Every 3rd Year, Semester 1)

Please note

The Unit Offerings listed above are a guide only and the timetable for any year is the final authority. The College may vary offerings based on demand, regulatory requirements, continual improvement processes or other conditions.

This unit may be available in different modes of delivery i.e. online and face-to-face as listed above. The unit content will not differ between these modes of delivery. There will possibly be a difference in the schedule and/or the prescribed assessment tasks, however both will cover and assess the same content.