HIST 642 (01) - Saints, Sinners, and Heretics: Europe in the Age of Religious Reform

Examines the history of Western Christendom from roughly 1400 to 1600, a period of tumultuous religious change throughout Europe. We begin in the Middle Ages where the seeds of religious division were sown. We then tackle Martin Luther's challenge to the Catholic church, trace the diffusion of his message throughout Europe, and address the Catholic response to the evangelizing movements that he inspired. Finally we investigate some of the regional varieties of Protestantism that developed in the latter half of the sixteenth century with a particular focus on Switzerland, Germany, England, Scotland, France, and the Netherlands. Course meets the History major requirement for Group II.