OVERVIEW

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to major themes in the history of Christianity, tracing its development from its origins to the present day. It examines the evolution of religious cultures and explores how ecclesiastical institutions have changed in response to broader social dynamics. Special emphasis will be placed on pivotal phases in the shaping of Western Christianity, including the formation of the Roman Catholic model (11th–13th centuries), the Protestant Reformation and the consolidation of the Tridentine framework (16th–18th centuries), and the ways Christian churches — especially the Catholic Church — have reacted to the profound societal shifts brought about by secularisation, the Industrial Revolution, bourgeois revolutions, totalitarian regimes, and globalisation from the 18th to the 21st century.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The objective of this course is to provide students with a basic understanding of the two thousand-year-old Christian story as well as the critical tools they'll need in order to evaluate historiographical debates and analyze religious history sources.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The course aims to:

• Provide knowledge of the main themes in Christian history;
• Promote an appreciation of the historical-religious dimension and its relevance and specificity in relation to political, cultural and social history;
• Encourage contextualisation of Christian cultures within a long-term, diachronic perspective;
• Provide an overview of the key themes and interpretative categories in the history of Western Christianity;
• Introduce students to the analysis of sources for religious history, including print, documents, images and audiovisual sources;
• Provide students with skills relevant to group work.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

a) Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the problems and methods inherent in the history of Christianity;

b) Understand the essential secondary literature in order to orient themselves in the issues addressed during the course;

c) Apply the knowledge acquired to analyse specific cases and highlight links between the historical-religious processes examined;

d) Recognise the nature of sources for the history of Christianity and identify their significance in light of related historiographical issues;

(e) Value a critical approach, being aware of historiographical categories and aiming to avoid apologetic or polemical judgements; 

(f) Understand and focus on the historical evolution of religious and theological doctrines;

(g) Use appropriate disciplinary language to illustrate your point of view (oral communication skills);

(h) Manage social interactions with a collaborative attitude, constructive communication, and a willingness to overcome prejudices (advanced social competence).

PREREQUISITES

None.

TEACHING METHODS

Teaching consists mainly of lectures, which include discussions, readings and the analysis of iconographic sources. Interacting with the lecturer and other students is an integral part of this teaching method, aiming to promote critical thinking, consolidate knowledge, and help students acquire discipline-specific language.

Regular attendance is therefore recommended.

Classes will be held in person. Only those who make an express request at the beginning of the course due to specific needs (e.g. working students or those who are objectively unable to attend) will be able to follow the classes remotely via streaming and recordings on Microsoft Teams. If you do this, you will be considered as not attending for all purposes (including for the purposes of the required exam texts).

Information and materials relating to the course will be made available on the Aulaweb platform.

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Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (DSA)

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (DSA) are reminded that, in order to request adjustments during the exam, they must first upload their certification to the university website (servizionline.unige.it) in the 'Students' section. This will then be verified by the University's Services for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (DSA).

Well in advance of the exam date (at least 10 days beforehand), an email must be sent to the teacher, copying in the contact person for the inclusion of students with disabilities and specific learning disorders (DSA) at the Scuola di Scienze Umanistiche (elisabetta.colagrossi@unige.it) and the above-mentioned department. The email must specify:

• the name of the course;
• the date of the exam;
• the student's surname, first name, and student ID number;
• the compensatory tools and dispensatory measures deemed necessary and requested.

The contact person will confirm to the teacher that the applicant is entitled to request adjustments to the exam, and that these must be agreed with the teacher. The teacher will respond to confirm whether the adjustments can be used.

Requests must be sent at least 10 days before the exam date to allow the teacher time to evaluate them. If you intend to use concept maps for the exam, they must be much more concise than the maps used for study. If they are not sent within the specified time frame, there will not be enough time to make any changes.

For further information on requesting services and adjustments, please consult the relevant guidelines.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

This course equips students with critical tools for understanding the complex and evolving nature of Christianity as a multifaceted historical phenomenon. It begins with an introduction to the academic study of the history of Christianity and the churches, emphasizing its development as an autonomous discipline, independent of theological or confessional frameworks.

The initial lectures will explore the figure of the historical Jesus and examine how a Jewish preacher from Nazareth came to be seen as the founder of a new religion. The course then follows a thematic-chronological structure, tracing Christianity's two-thousand-year history while highlighting key aspects of its enduring presence. Topics include liturgy, cults and devotions, models of holiness, the interplay between religion and political authority, church governance (with a focus on the Catholic Church), expressions of dissent, and gender dynamics.

Major themes covered in the course include:

1. The debate on the historical Jesus and the origins of Christianity.
2. The formation of Christian identity.
3. The Constantinian Era and the Christianisation of Europe.
4. “Holy Father”: the Gregorian paradigm and the birth of Roman Catholicism.
5. The Protestant Reformation: its origins and developments.
6. The Tridentine model: Catholic Reformation, the Counter-Reformation, and confessionalisation.
7. The shock of 1789: the French Revolution and the emergence of intransigent Catholicism.
8. The modern world and global Christianities.
9. The sacralisation of politics and totalitarian modernity.
10. The Second Vatican Council and its legacies.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

ATTENDING students are required to prepare the following materials:

A. Reference book (mandatory)

• P. Cozzo - A. Nicolotti, Storia del cristianesimo e delle Chiese, Milan, Le Monnier Università, 2025 (Chapter 8 and Approfondimenti are optional).

B. Notes, slides and course texts made available on Aulaweb.

C. One book from the following:

• R. Alciati, Monaci d'Occidente. Secoli IV-IX, Rome, Carocci, 2018.
• M. Al Kalak, Mangiare Dio. Una storia dell’eucarestia, Turin, Einaudi, 2021.
• M. Al Kalak, Fuoco e fiamme. Storia e geografia dell'inferno, Turin, Einaudi, 2024.
• M. Benedetti (ed.), Eretiche ed eretici medievali, Rome, Carocci, 2023.
• G. Bonaccini - G. Mariotti, Paolo di Tarso, un ebreo del suo tempo, Rome, Carocci, 2025.
• M. Caponi, Una Chiesa in guerra. Sacrificio e mobilitazione nella diocesi di Firenze, 1911-1928, Rome, Viella, 2018.
• P. Cozzo, In cammino. Una storia del pellegrinaggio cristiano, Rome, Carocci, 2021.
• C. Furlan, Storia delle missioni cristiane. Dalle origini alla decolonizzazione, Bologna, il Mulino, 2023.
• L. Gazzetta, Virgo et Sacerdos. Idee di sacerdozio femminile tra Ottocento e Novecento, Rome, Edizioni di storia e letteratura, 2020.
• F. Hartog, La nazione, la religione, l'avvenire. Sulle tracce di Ernest Renan, edited by F. Mores, Milan, Raffaello Cortina, 2024.
• S. Lesti, Il mito delle radici cristiane dell'Europa. Dalla Rivoluzione francese ai giorni nostri, Turin, Einaudi, 2024.
• A.E. McGrath, Giovanni Calvino. Il riformatore e la sua influenza sulla cultura occidentale, Torino, Claudiana, 2009 (original edition: A Life of John Calvin : A Study in the Shaping of Western Culture, Oxford-Cambridge, B. Blackwell, 1990).
• J.T. McGreevy, Catholicism: A Global History from the French Revolution to Pope Francis, New York, W. W. Norton & Company, 2022.
• D. Menozzi, La chiesa cattolica e la secolarizzazione, Turin, Einaudi, 1993.
• D. Menozzi, "Crociata". Storia di un’ideologia dalla Rivoluzione francese a Bergoglio, Rome, Carocci, 2020.
• R. Moro, La Chiesa e lo sterminio degli ebrei, Bologna, il Mulino, 2009.
• John W. O'Malley, Che cosa è successo nel Vaticano II, Milan, Vita e Pensiero, 2010 (original edition: What happened at Vatican II, Cambridge, Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2008).
• P. Naso, Martin Luther King. Una storia americana, Rome-Bari, Laterza, 2021.
• M.A. Paiano, I cattolici, la guerra e la pace in età contemporanea, Brescia, Morcelliana, 2025.
• R. Perin, La radio del papa. Propaganda e diplomazia nella seconda guerra mondiale, Bologna, il Mulino, 2017 (new edition: The Popes on Air. The History of Vatican Radio from Its Origins to World War II, New York, Fordham University Press, 2024).
• A. Prosperi, Tribunali della coscienza. Inquisitori, confessori, missionari, Turin, Einaudi, 2009.
• M.Teter, Christian Supremacy. Reckoning with the Roots of Antisemitism and Racism, Princeton, Princeton University Press, 2023.
• I. Turina, Chiesa e biopolitica. Il discorso cattolico su famiglia, sessualità e vita umana da Pio XI a Benedetto XVI, Milan, Mimesis, 2013.
• G. Vian, Il modernismo. La Chiesa cattolica in conflitto con la modernità, Rome, Carocci, 2012.

NON-ATTENDING students are required to prepare the following materials:

A. Reference textbook (mandatory)

• P. Cozzo - A. Nicolotti, Storia del cristianesimo e delle Chiese, Milan, Le Monnier Università, 2025 (Chapter 8 and Approfondimenti are optional).

B. Notes, slides and course texts made available on Aulaweb.

C. Two books from the following:

• R. Alciati, Monaci d'Occidente. Secoli IV-IX, Rome, Carocci, 2018.
• M. Al Kalak, Mangiare Dio. Una storia dell’eucarestia, Turin, Einaudi, 2021.
• M. Al Kalak, Fuoco e fiamme. Storia e geografia dell'inferno, Turin, Einaudi, 2024.
• M. Benedetti (ed.), Eretiche ed eretici medievali, Rome, Carocci, 2023.
• G. Bonaccini - G. Mariotti, Paolo di Tarso, un ebreo del suo tempo, Rome, Carocci, 2025.
• M. Caponi, Una Chiesa in guerra. Sacrificio e mobilitazione nella diocesi di Firenze, 1911-1928, Rome, Viella, 2018.
• P. Cozzo, In cammino. Una storia del pellegrinaggio cristiano, Rome, Carocci, 2021.
• C. Furlan, Storia delle missioni cristiane. Dalle origini alla decolonizzazione, Bologna, il Mulino, 2023.
• L. Gazzetta, Virgo et Sacerdos. Idee di sacerdozio femminile tra Ottocento e Novecento, Rome, Edizioni di storia e letteratura, 2020.
• F. Hartog, La nazione, la religione, l'avvenire. Sulle tracce di Ernest Renan, edited by F. Mores, Milan, Raffaello Cortina, 2024.
• S. Lesti, Il mito delle radici cristiane dell'Europa. Dalla Rivoluzione francese ai giorni nostri, Turin, Einaudi, 2024.
• A.E. McGrath, Giovanni Calvino. Il riformatore e la sua influenza sulla cultura occidentale, Torino, Claudiana, 2009 (original edition: A Life of John Calvin : A Study in the Shaping of Western Culture, Oxford-Cambridge, B. Blackwell, 1990).
• J.T. McGreevy, Catholicism: A Global History from the French Revolution to Pope Francis, New York, W. W. Norton & Company, 2022.
• D. Menozzi, La chiesa cattolica e la secolarizzazione, Turin, Einaudi, 1993.
• D. Menozzi, "Crociata". Storia di un’ideologia dalla Rivoluzione francese a Bergoglio, Rome, Carocci, 2020.
• R. Moro, La Chiesa e lo sterminio degli ebrei, Bologna, il Mulino, 2009.
• John W. O'Malley, Che cosa è successo nel Vaticano II, Milan, Vita e Pensiero, 2010 (original edition: What happened at Vatican II, Cambridge, Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2008).
• P. Naso, Martin Luther King. Una storia americana, Rome-Bari, Laterza, 2021.
• M.A. Paiano, I cattolici, la guerra e la pace in età contemporanea, Brescia, Morcelliana, 2025.
• R. Perin, La radio del papa. Propaganda e diplomazia nella seconda guerra mondiale, Bologna, il Mulino, 2017 (new edition: The Popes on Air. The History of Vatican Radio from Its Origins to World War II, New York, Fordham University Press, 2024).
• A. Prosperi, Tribunali della coscienza. Inquisitori, confessori, missionari, Turin, Einaudi, 2009.
• M.Teter, Christian Supremacy. Reckoning with the Roots of Antisemitism and Racism, Princeton, Princeton University Press, 2023.
• I. Turina, Chiesa e biopolitica. Il discorso cattolico su famiglia, sessualità e vita umana da Pio XI a Benedetto XVI, Milan, Mimesis, 2013.
• G. Vian, Il modernismo. La Chiesa cattolica in conflitto con la modernità, Rome, Carocci, 2012.

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EXAM FOR 6 CFU

ATTENDING students are required to prepare the following materials:

A. Reference textbook (mandatory)

• P. Cozzo - A. Nicolotti, Storia del cristianesimo e delle Chiese, Milan, Le Monnier Università, 2025 (Chapter 8 and Approfondimenti are optional).

B. Notes, slides and course texts available on Aulaweb.

NON-ATTENDING students are required to prepare the following materials:

A. Reference textbook (mandatory)

• P. Cozzo - A. Nicolotti, Storia del cristianesimo e delle Chiese, Milan, Le Monnier Università, 2025.

B. Course notes, slides and texts available on Aulaweb.

C. One book from the following:

• R. Alciati, Monaci d'Occidente. Secoli IV-IX, Rome, Carocci, 2018.
• M. Al Kalak, Mangiare Dio. Una storia dell’eucarestia, Turin, Einaudi, 2021.
• M. Al Kalak, Fuoco e fiamme. Storia e geografia dell'inferno, Turin, Einaudi, 2024.
• M. Benedetti (ed.), Eretiche ed eretici medievali, Rome, Carocci, 2023.
• G. Bonaccini - G. Mariotti, Paolo di Tarso, un ebreo del suo tempo, Rome, Carocci, 2025.
• M. Caponi, Una Chiesa in guerra. Sacrificio e mobilitazione nella diocesi di Firenze, 1911-1928, Rome, Viella, 2018.
• P. Cozzo, In cammino. Una storia del pellegrinaggio cristiano, Rome, Carocci, 2021.
• C. Furlan, Storia delle missioni cristiane. Dalle origini alla decolonizzazione, Bologna, il Mulino, 2023.
• L. Gazzetta, Virgo et Sacerdos. Idee di sacerdozio femminile tra Ottocento e Novecento, Rome, Edizioni di storia e letteratura, 2020.
• F. Hartog, La nazione, la religione, l'avvenire. Sulle tracce di Ernest Renan, edited by F. Mores, Milan, Raffaello Cortina, 2024.
• S. Lesti, Il mito delle radici cristiane dell'Europa. Dalla Rivoluzione francese ai giorni nostri, Turin, Einaudi, 2024.
• A.E. McGrath, Giovanni Calvino. Il riformatore e la sua influenza sulla cultura occidentale, Torino, Claudiana, 2009 (original edition: A Life of John Calvin : A Study in the Shaping of Western Culture, Oxford-Cambridge, B. Blackwell, 1990).
• J.T. McGreevy, Catholicism: A Global History from the French Revolution to Pope Francis, New York, W. W. Norton & Company, 2022.
• D. Menozzi, La chiesa cattolica e la secolarizzazione, Turin, Einaudi, 1993.
• D. Menozzi, "Crociata". Storia di un’ideologia dalla Rivoluzione francese a Bergoglio, Rome, Carocci, 2020.
• R. Moro, La Chiesa e lo sterminio degli ebrei, Bologna, il Mulino, 2009.
• John W. O'Malley, Che cosa è successo nel Vaticano II, Milan, Vita e Pensiero, 2010 (original edition: What happened at Vatican II, Cambridge, Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2008).
• P. Naso, Martin Luther King. Una storia americana, Rome-Bari, Laterza, 2021.
• M.A. Paiano, I cattolici, la guerra e la pace in età contemporanea, Brescia, Morcelliana, 2025.
• R. Perin, La radio del papa. Propaganda e diplomazia nella seconda guerra mondiale, Bologna, il Mulino, 2017 (new edition: The Popes on Air. The History of Vatican Radio from Its Origins to World War II, New York, Fordham University Press, 2024).
• A. Prosperi, Tribunali della coscienza. Inquisitori, confessori, missionari, Turin, Einaudi, 2009.
• M.Teter, Christian Supremacy. Reckoning with the Roots of Antisemitism and Racism, Princeton, Princeton University Press, 2023.
• I. Turina, Chiesa e biopolitica. Il discorso cattolico su famiglia, sessualità e vita umana da Pio XI a Benedetto XVI, Milan, Mimesis, 2013.
• G. Vian, Il modernismo. La Chiesa cattolica in conflitto con la modernità, Rome, Carocci, 2012.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MATTEO CAPONI (President)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 2026.

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral exam will assess achievement of the learning objectives, particularly in the following areas: a) Mastery of the topics covered; b) Degree of critical awareness; c) Ability to apply knowledge to a specific topic; d) Use of the specialised language of the discipline.