course-details-portlet

RVI1050

Introduction to Christianity

Choose study year
Credits 15
Level Foundation courses, level I
Course start Autumn 2025
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Assignment

About

About the course

Course content

This introduction aims at providing orientational knowledge of historical and contemporary forms of Christianity from a religious studies perspective. Proceeding from the wider religious landscape in which Christianity emerged and further developed, we will study the changing social and cultural contexts that shaped and re-shaped Christian self-understandings, theologies, and ethics. Our focus lies on changing Christian practices and beliefs throughout European history; on the relation between doctrine and faith; and on the various and manifold interpretations of Christianity in institutional contexts and popular cultures around the globe.

Learning outcome

According to the course curriculum, a candidate who passes this course is expected to have the following learning outcome (defined as knowledge, skills and general competence):

Knowledge

  • contextualize Christianity by demonstrating orientational knowledge of its origins and historical developments
  • identify different forms of Christian practice
  • demonstrate basic knowledge of the distribution of Christianity and reflect on its regional and cultural variations
  • locate Christianity in the wider (European) history of religions by identifying the cultural context of selected sources documenting practices, beliefs, and institutions
  • contrast the ideal of Christian unity with the empirical plurality of Christianities

Skills

  • differentiate between a theological and a religious studies approach to Christianity
  • apply critical reading strategies to historical and contemporary sources
  • convey academic knowledge about past and present Christianity in different medial formats to a general audience

General competence

The candidate has

  • basic insight into the study of Christianity that provides a basis for more specialized further study
  • experience in planning and executing a written essay with a defined length and through successive stages

Learning methods and activities

The instruction consists of lectures and seminars, and it includes digital components.

In order to sit the exam students must get two assignments approved (a video submission and a script). For more information on the obligatory activity, see Blackboard.

The obligatory activity can only be approved in the semester when the course is taught, but is valid in this and the subsequent term. Obligatory activities which are older than two semesters can be accepted but must be applied for and assessed for alignment with current obligatory activities and requirements for exam preparation.

Compulsory assignments

  • Approved video submission and script

Further on evaluation

Evaluation by assignment (3000-4000 words).

Required previous knowledge

None.

Course materials

The required reading list will be available at the beginning of the semester.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
KRL1030 7.5 sp Autumn 2008
This course has academic overlap with the course in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Comparative Religion

Contact information

Course coordinator

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Assignment
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

Assignment
Weighting 100/100 Exam system Inspera Assessment

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

Assignment
Weighting 100/100 Exam system Inspera Assessment