Church History and Historical Theology Concentrations

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Major Concentration in Church History/Historical Theology

 PhD students with a major concentration in Church History/Historical Theology are required to take:

  • CH808.  Historiography.

In addition to Historiography, students should choose two from among the following seminars offered by the history faculty:

  • CH801.  Church and State.

  • CH829.  Ecclesiology in Historical Perspective.

  • CH839.  Texts and Topics in Reformation Theology.

  • CH847.  History & Development of Pentecostal/Charismatic Movements.

  • CH853.  Seminar on Calvin and Calvinism.

  • CH858.  Contemporary Ecumenical Issues.

  • CH863.  Evangelical Theology and History.

  • CH879.  Church in Modern Society.

 These foundational seminars should be taken during Stage One prior to taking Comprehensive Examinations. 

ThM students majoring in Church History/Historical Theology must take:

  • CH808.  Historiography

In addition to Historiography, students should take one additional history seminar (at either the 800 or 500 level) as well as eight (8) units in writing a thesis (CH893).  The remaining 24 units may be at either the 800 or 500 level so long as half the total units (= 24) are at the 800 level.

 Minor Concentration in Church History/Historical Theology (PhD only)

 Students who major in another discipline, but who wish Church History/Historical Theology to constitute their minor field of study (and thus one comprehensive examination), should complete 2 seminars in the field of Church History/Historical Theology.  Normally both of these will be taken during Phase One of the program and will constitute preparation for the minor field comprehensive examination (see below). 

Comprehensive Examinations (PhD only)

Students majoring in Church History/Historical Theology  and who have elected a minor concentration are required to choose three of the following subject areas for their major field comprehensive examinations; students who do not have a minor concentration would choose four of the following subject areas for their comprehensive examinations.  Students whose minor field is Church History/Historical Theology are required to select one of the following.

  1. Historiography and Theological Methods

  2. Early Church History or Patristic Theology

  3.  Medieval History or Theology

  4. Reformation History or Theology

  5. Post-Reformation History or Post-Reformation Theology

  6. Modern Church History or Modern Theology

  7. American Church History

This selection requires the agreement of the primary mentor.  All Church History/Historical Theology comprehensives are set by the department (or professor) that sets each comprehensive examination.

Research Languages

PhD

Three research languages (i.e., in addition to the biblical languages - Greek, Hebrew) are required to be completed prior to sitting for the comprehensive examinations.  If completed by coursework, four (4) units of each at the master's level are required.  Completion by examination or by external study is also possible (see section below on Languages). 

 

Two languages are to be modern languages, and will normally be German and French.  Substitutions may be allowed if certified in writing by the primary mentor as a bona fide research language for the student's research project and if approved by the CATS Committee upon petition. 

 

The third research language must be an ancient language, normally Latin.

 

ThM

One research language is required and should be chosen with the approval of the primary mentor.  This will normally be chosen from among German or French, although substitutions may be petitioned to the CATS Committee with the agreement of the primary mentor. 

Formatting requirements

Papers, theses, etc.  for the Church History/Historical Theology Department should conform to style requirements in the Chicago Manual of Style.