General information
| Course type | AMUPIE |
| Module title | History of the Papacy (Popes in Rome) |
| Language | English |
| Module lecturer | Prof. dr hab. Christopher Korten |
| Lecturer's email | ckorten@amu.edu.pl |
| Lecturer position | |
| Faculty | Faculty of History |
| Semester | 2026/2027 (summer) |
| Duration | 30 |
| ECTS | 5 |
| USOS code | . |
Timetable
Weekly classes in the summer semester.
Module aim (aims)
Learning Outcomes
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of papal history and its evolution.
- Analyze the relationship between the Catholic Church and political powers.
- Assess the Church’s responses to modern challenges.
- Understand key terms and concepts related to the papacy.
- Critically analyze historical documents shaping papal history.
- Trace major theological and ecclesiastical developments.
- Evaluate the impact of recent popes on contemporary global issues.
Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)
Course Overview
The Roman Catholic Popes represent an organization that has endured for more than 2,000 years. This course charts their history from a papal perspective, focusing on key historical events, policies, activities, and milestones. Delivered chronologically, the course integrates three thematic elements to provide a holistic understanding:
- Responses to Modernity and Secularism: Examining how the Church has addressed modern challenges such as scientific advancements, secularism, and changing social norms.
- The Evolution of Papal Authority: Tracing the development of the Pope’s role from early Christianity to the modern era, focusing on political, spiritual, and administrative authority.
- Church and State Dynamics: Exploring the relationship between the Catholic Church and political powers across eras, highlighting periods of both harmony and conflict.
Key Terms
- Popes: Individual leaders of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as the Bishop of Rome and spiritual head of Catholics worldwide.
- Papacy: The institution and office of the pope, encompassing the governance of the Holy See and Roman Curia.
- Pontificate: The reign or tenure of a particular pope.
Additional terms such as Antipope, Apostolic Succession, College of Cardinals, Conclave, Curia, and others will be covered to enhance understanding of Catholic Church leadership and administration.
Syllabus
Course Structure (Weekly Topics)
Week 1 — Introduction to the Course and The Early Church (c. 33–312)
Key Question: How did an Oriental religion come to have its base in Rome?
Topics include the Church’s origins, persecutions, martyrdoms, theological developments, and early Church Fathers.
Week 2 — Popes, the Early Church, and Persecution in the Roman Empire
Key Question: Why were Christians persecuted?
Readings: “The Diocletianic or Great Persecution” and “The Persecution of Christians.”
Week 3 — Cooperation Between the Popes and the Roman Empire
Key Question: Why did the Roman Empire tolerate and adopt Christianity?
Readings: Eamon Duffy, Saints & Sinners, pp. 23–34; Edict of Milan (313 AD).
Week 4 — Leo the Great and Gregory the Great
Key Question: How did these Popes contribute to the expansion of papal authority?
Readings: Eamon Duffy, Saints & Sinners, pp. 41–72; “Tome of Leo” and Gregory’s The Book of Pastoral Rule.
Week 5 — Monastic Popes of the Middle Ages
Key Question: What was the main reason for the growth of Monasticism?
Readings: “Monasticism and Papal Power” and The Rule of St. Benedict.
Week 6 — Pope Gregory VII and the Walk to Canossa
Key Question: In what ways did the Papacy increase its authority in the 11th century?
Readings: Eamon Duffy, Saints & Sinners, pp. 116–128; Dictatus Papae.
Week 7 — The Crusades and Pope Urban II
Key Question: Why did the Crusades happen? By whom and towards whom?
Readings: Eamon Duffy, Saints & Sinners, pp. 128–136; Speech at the Council of Clermont (1095).
Week 8 — Mid-term Test
Week 9 — The European Reformation and Martin Luther
Key Question: What caused the European Reformation?
Readings: Eamon Duffy, Saints & Sinners, pp. 196–207; Bull Exsurge Domine.
Week 10 — The English Reformation and Clement VII
Key Question: Why did Henry VIII split with the Catholic Church in the 1530s?
Readings: Richard Rex, Henry VIII and the Break with Rome.
Week 11 — The Counter-Reformation
Key Question: How did the Catholic Church respond to the Reformation?
Readings: Eamon Duffy, Saints & Sinners, pp. 208–229; Founding documents of the Jesuit Order.
Week 12 — Catholic Missions
Key Question: What role did missions play in the modern Church?
Readings: Peter Guilday, The Sacred Congregation de Propaganda Fide; Bull Aeterni Patris.
Week 13 — The French Revolution and Pius VI & VII
Key Question: How did the French and Napoleonic revolutions adversely affect the Church?
Readings: Eamon Duffy, Saints & Sinners, pp. 247–260; Concordat of 1801.
Week 14 — Popes and Italian Unification
Key Question: How did Pope Gregory XVI and Pius IX react to Italian unification?
Readings: Eamon Duffy, Saints & Sinners, pp. 260–304; Lateran Pact.
Week 15 — Hitler’s Pope: Pope Pius XII
Key Question: Why was Pope Pius XII considered “Hitler’s Pope” by some?
Readings: Eamon Duffy, Saints & Sinners, pp. 332–354; Encyclical Mit Brennender Sorge.
Week 16 — Final Exam
Reading list
See the Syllabus for the list.