TRS 621C Church History from the High Middle Ages to the Present
This course, the second in a survey of all of Church History, starts from the dawn of a new civilization in the mid-eleventh century, when cultural, economic, religious, and social changes all created a new and dynamic European era, during which the Church itself went through dynamic changes. Proceeding down through the centuries, this course provides an overview of the major developments in the History of the Church through the end of the pontificate of Benedict XVI. At the same time it focuses on particular thinkers and documents that shed light on the broader institutional developments in the High Middle Ages, the Early Modern period, and the Modern era. Owing to the broad scope (almost a millenium of Church History) this course, which combines lectures and seminar-style discussion, requires both substantial preparatory reading and in-class participation in the discussions.