Church History
2022-2023 SYLLABUS
CHURCH HISTORY, by Rev. John Laux. (TAN Books)
PRESENTATION GUIDELINES: We will have a presentation every class. Remember to focus on:
- Good posture
- Good eye contact
- Well chosen vocabulary
- Clear pronunciation of names
- Thorough research and knowledge of the topic
- Visual aid
- Bring a few questions for your audience (8 to 10)
- Presentation must be 7-10 minutes long.
CLASS SCHEDULE: We will start class with a few review questions from the last assignment that we will discuss orally, next we will have the presentation by a student, followed by his questions. This will close the assignment of the past week. Then we will have a lecture on the topic that we will study the coming week, this will prepare the students to read and understand the chapter ahead and dig deeper into the presentation topic. Lastly, the students will have to read the coming up assignment for the next week and prepare to answer the review questions. I will point out in the Notes section all the names and dates that are important. The student needs to bring a nice notebook and nice pen (not a pencil and loose sheets of paper) to class and take good notes too, so that we learn and remember as much as possible. Bring your timeline book as well. I will print some handouts for each class too.
Class Announcements
Welcome to Church History
Welcome to the Church History class. Please arrive promptly with pen and paper in hand to take notes.
Mrs. Bischel updates this file with each week with the new topic’s notes in case you missed receiving a printed copy in class.
History Study Sheets (Updated as of 1/31/2023)
Church History Final Exam (Posted 5/3/2023)
The following sections are a week to week syllabus or you can download and print a copy here.
Week 1
WEEK 1: Starting at the SECOND PERIOD, Read chapters 1,( p.92-103)
Notes: 313, Constantine, Licinius, Constantinople, Constantius, Julian the Apostate, July 362 ( the rebuilding of the temple), Julian’s last words, Jovian,Theodosius the Great, Justinian the Great, Gregory the Great, Abdas, Jacob Beth-Lapat, The Illuminator, Frumentius.
PRESENTATION: Trier, (Treves), saint Helena and the Relics of the Crucifixion.
Snack: Palestinian food.
Week 2
WEEK 2: Read chapter II A (p.104- 125).
Notes: St. Victor, Dionysius, Paul of Samosata and Lucius, Arius, Alexander, pope Sylvester, Council of Nicea, Athanasius, Nicene Creed, Saint Basil and the 2 Saints Gregory, Council of Constantinople, St. Macrina.
PRESENTATION: Cappadocia, Hermits and their lives, lives of Byzantine monks.
Snack: Turkish food.
Week 3
WEEK 3: Read chapter II B and C (p.126-159).
Notes: St. John Chrysostom, Eudoxia, Origen, St. Ambrose, Theodosius, St. Jerome, St. Monica and St. Augustine, Manicheans, Donatists, Pelagians, Nestorians, Monophysites and monothelites, Maronites, Lebanon, St. Leo, Attila.
PRESENTATION: Origen, what does Chrysos mean in Greek?, North Africa in the IVth century.
Snack: North African food.
Week 4
WEEK 4: Read chapter III and IV (p.160-189)
Notes: Chorepiscopy, Eparchies, exarchies, patriarchs, basilica, Hagia Sophia, St. Paulinus, Melania, monasticism, St. Pachomius, St. Anthony, St. Benedict, Lombards, Goths, St. Patrick, Auxerre, Lérins.
PRESENTATION: Hagia Sophia, Ethiopian church architecture.
Snack: Mediterranean food.
Week 5
WEEK 5: SECTION II. First Period. Read chapter I and II (p. 190- 216)
Notes: Middle Ages (3 periods), Anicii family, Patrimony of St. Peter, St. Gregory the Great, Liber Regulae Pastoralis, Apostle of England, St.Bede, Pallium, Picts, Anam-Chara, 602, Canterbury.
PRESENTATION: England in the VIth century, with all the tribes and regions.
Snack: English food.
Week 6
WEEK 5: Read chapter III (p.217-230)
Frisia, St. Willibrord, Luxembourg, St. Boniface, Hesse, Thuringia, Synod of 742, Metz, pope Zachary, Fulda, Ste. Lioba.
PRESENTATION: The regions and tribes that used to be in today’s Germany during the VIIth century.
Snack: Bavarian food