PAT-601: Patristics I (Early Church Fathers)

This course covers the so-called Early Church Fathers, also know (more accurately) as the Ante (or Pre) Nicene Writers. These are Christian, ecclesiastical (mainstream) authors who wrote between AD 80 and AD 325. Some of these texts were considered for inclusion in the New Testament (for instance 1 Clement). In general, these writings are considered as an invaluable of what Christianity looked like during the first three centuries.

• Credit value: 3 (US standard) | 6 (ECTS standard)
• Indicative duration (full time): 4-6 weeks
• Indicative duration (part-time): 5-8 week
• Certificate: Yes

This course is based on standard EUCLID methodology. Students may refer to the following resources:

Academic Guidelines (HQ version)
Academic Guidelines (most recent version even if unofficial)
Student Orientation Guidelines (most recent version even if unofficial)
Zotero instructions for EUCLID students
Grammarly instructions for EUCLID students

At the end of this course, the student will be able to:

• discuss 1 and 2 Clement
• discuss The Didache
• discuss Ignatius of Antioch (and Polycarp)
• discuss highlights from Justin Martyr and Irenaeus of Lyon
• discuss other types of early writings (including Apocrypha)
• provide an outline of main themes, beliefs, practices and concerns among Early Christians.

Course material is provided in the form of embedded videos, audio MP3s, and/or downloadable PDFs.