History of Christianity

(1500-Present)

This course surveys key moments and issues in the history of Christianity from 1500 to the present. Beginning with the Protestant Reformation, this course focuses on European “discovery” of the New World, the Christianization of Asia, Africa, and the Americas by Catholic and Protestant missionaries in the long colonial era, and traces the development of Christianity globally through to the present moment.

Topics will include the Reformation, missions, colonialism, empire, conversion, syncretism, modernity, Vatican II, the rise of evangelical Christianity, and new forms of Christianity.