ADVANCE NOTICE - SUMMER 2012
AP/HUMA 4653 6.0 - Advanced Religious Studies
(Mondays/Wednesdays, SU term May through end of July, 7-10pm)
The first half of this seminar-style course examines issues and topics in early Christianity -
- the relationship of Jesus' movement to that of John the Baptist
- the trial and execution of Jesus
- Jesus' disciples and Paul’s relationship to them
- Jesus first followers in Jerusalem under James and Simeon
- The importance of Mary Magdalene
- The emergence of the Church in the 4th century
- Formation of the canon of the New Testament
- Anti-Semitism in the New Testament
- The importance of the creeds
- The role of women within the early Church
- Three forms of early Christianity: the Jesus; Christ; and Gnostic movements
Readings will be selected from: James Tabor, The Jesus Dynasty; Bart Ehrman, Lost Christianities; Barrie Wilson's How Jesus Became Christian; and others.
The second half of the course allows students to pursue a research project in Religious Studies of personal interest. The course director will assist in devising a do-able research project within the confines of the time allotment, suggest bibliography and provide supervision.
Enrollment is restricted. Careful prior preparation is required for each class.
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AP/HUMA 3421 3.0
An Introduction to the New Testament and Early Christianity
SU 1 Session (May to mid June), Tuesdays/Thursdays 7-10p.m.
An introduction to early Christianity through selected New Testament and related writings. Topics include:
- The Jewish messianic expectation
- Jesus’ core message
- Gospels: canonical and otherwise
- Paul ‘s letters
- Three forms of early Christianity
- Key issues in early Christianity
- Early Christian writings not included in the New Testament
- Gnostic Christian writings
- Role of the Roman emperors

Barrie lecturing to York University students at Qumran, headquarters of the Dead Sea Scroll community.
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