Identify the defining structural features of the Church in the Middle Ages, explaining its evolution chronologically”

When Darwin's book On the Origin of Species was published, it opened up a discussion that tried to give a plausible and simple answer to life, without the need to resort to explanations of a theological nature, which were the arguments that supported the existence of God. From that moment on, the Magisterium began to be a controversial topic, and it continues to be so to this day.

In this professional master’s degree in History of the Church and the Magisterium, a group of experts trained in the area will provide all the criteria to allow students to understand the current position of the institution, while considering the historical events that developed it throughout the centuries.

Therefore, the syllabus will begin by recognizing the main historical milestones of the social Magisterium. Here we will highlight the period of Hellenization, which spans the conquest of the Persian Empire by Alexander the Great (331 B.C.) to the rise of the Roman Empire (31 B.C.).

Knowledge of events in different periods, such as the 19th and 20th centuries, will help to understand the role of the Church in modern society, especially in Latin America. To this end, specific study topics are proposed in which some events such as the First General Conference of the Latin American Episcopate, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1995, will be presented in detail.

In this way, the program is a compendium of knowledge that will help students provide answers to modern questions. Thus, students will be able to conduct academic research or teach in the area.

Acquire an improved notion of the Magisterium and understand the nature of the reflection it offers on temporal questions or questions of social order” 

This professional master’s degree in History of the Church and the Magisterium contains the most complete and up-to-date program on the market. The most important features include: 

• Case studies presented by experts devoted to History of the Church and the Magisterium
• The graphic, schematic, and practical contents with which they are created, provide epistemological and practical information on the disciplines that are essential for professional development
• Practical exercises where the self-assessment process can be carried out to improve learning
• Special focus on innovative methodologies in the study of History of the Church and the Magisterium
• Theoretical lessons, questions to the expert, debate forums on controversial topics, and individual reflection assignments
• Content that is accessible from any fixed or portable device with an Internet connection

The History of the Church is extensive and highly nuanced, which you have to know in order to propose new answers to the social order”

The program’s teaching staff includes professionals from the sector who contribute their work experience to this program, as well as renowned specialists from leading societies and prestigious universities.

The multimedia content, developed with the latest educational technology, will provide the professional with situated and contextual learning, i.e., a simulated environment that will provide immersive specialization programmed to learn in real situations.

This program is designed around Problem-Based Learning, whereby the professional must try to solve the different professional practice situations that arise throughout the program. For this purpose, the student will be assisted by an innovative interactive video system created by renowned and experienced experts.

Become familiar with the main events that influenced the transformation of the Christian world in Europe"

Grasp the various logical levels of knowledge generated by the Magisterium.

This professional master’s degree will develop students' abilities to the maximum in the study of each period of history that has influenced the current development of the Church. Further, it means to explain the development, mission and spread of the Catholic Church in the Western world during the first eight centuries of Christianity. Thus, students will direct their professorial careers towards research or teaching.

This program will become an excellent opportunity to improve your research skills from a theological point of view”

General Objectives

• Provide the necessary context, ideas and perspectives that will enable students to understand the History of the Church
• Present the historical and epistemological configuration of theology and its evolution as a science
• Demonstrate the basic skills to access the instruments to study the Magisterium
• Frame fundamental theology as a specialized part of the discipline that seeks to understand the mystery of God in its totality
• Explain the formal theological principles involved in the theological reading of Sacred Scripture: canonicity, inspiration and infallibility
• Explore the main historical and geographical elements that serve as an aid to the study of the Bible in current times

Specific Objectives

Module 1. History of Spirituality

• Theologically argue the meaning and moral dimension of human sexuality
• Assess various sexual behaviors
• Debate the way contemporary humans live sexuality
• Analyze biblical, patristic, theological and magisterial texts in light of the moral dimension of human sexuality
• Form reasoned arguments on the ways contemporary humans live sexuality

Module 2. Ancient Church History

• Distinguish, understand and explain the major chronological periods into which Church History is divided, the reason for this division and its chronology
• Explain the development, mission and spread of the Catholic Church in the Western world during the first eight centuries of Christianity
• Know, understand, use and explain the language of Church History, as well as the specific language of the period
• Identify the defining structural features of the Church in the Middle Ages, explaining their chronological evolution

Module 3. The Magisterium in the 16th Century

• Recognize the main historical milestones of the social Magisterium, identifying the main lines of its teachings in the 16th century
• Outline the role of the Magisterium in the broader mission entrusted by God to the Church
• Acquire the notion of the Magisterium and understand the nature of the reflection it offers on temporal questions or questions of social order
• Grasp the various logical levels of knowledge generated by the Magisterium and identify its most important principles

Module 4. Medieval Church History

• Distinguish, understand and explain the major chronological periods into which Church History is divided, the reason for this division and its chronology
• Present the main events that influenced the transformation of the Christian world in Europe, in confrontation with the emergence of new philosophical systems and political changes during the medieval period
• Know, understand, use and explain the language of Church History, as well as the specific language of the period
• Identify the defining structural features of the Church in the Middle Ages, explaining their chronological evolution
• Explain the current behaviors of the Church as a result of a historical process, relating them to past events, phenomena, problems and behaviors

Module 5. The Magisterium in the 17th and 18th Centuries

• Study the main historical milestones of the social Magisterium
• Identify the main lines of its teachings in the 17th and 18th centuries
• Outline the role of the Magisterium in the broader mission entrusted by God to the Church
• Acquire a notion of the Magisterium
• Understand the nature of the reflection it offers on temporal questions or questions of social order
• Grasp the various logical levels of knowledge generated by the Magisterium
• Identify the most important principles of the Magisterium in the 17th and 18th centuries

Module 6. History of the Modern and Contemporary Church

• Know the main events in the history of the Church in the 20th century
• Better contextualize current ecclesial phenomena
• Know, understand, use and explain the language of Church History, as well as the specific language of the period
• Explain the current behaviors of the Church as the result of a historical process

Module 7. The Magisterium in the 19th Century

• Recognize the main historical milestones of the social Magisterium, identifying the main lines of its teachings in the 16th century
• Outline the role of the Magisterium from the perspective of Gregory XVI
• Prompt students to the false doctrine of Anthony Günther as posed by Pius IX
• Grasp the various logical levels of knowledge generated by the Magisterium and identify its most important principles 

Module 8. The Magisterium in the 20th Century

• Recognize the main historical milestones of the social Magisterium, identifying the main lines of its teachings in the 20th century
• Outline and analyze St. Pius X's views on the Church, marriage and theology
• Acquire the notion of the Magisterium and understand the nature of the reflection it offers on temporal questions or questions of social order
• Become familiar with Benedict XV's views on the second coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Epistles of the Apostle Paul

Module 9. History of the Church in Latin America

• Know the main events in the history of the Church, specifically in America: Southern Cone, Antilles and North America
• Identify the major moments from the 16th to the 20th century of the main events in the history of the Church, specifically in the Americas
• Know, understand, use and explain the language of Church History, as well as the specific language of the period
• Identify the defining structural features of the Church, explaining their chronological evolution
• Explain the current behaviors of the Church as the result of a historical process that are fundamental to this period

Module 10. The Magisterium in Latin America

• Recognize the main historical milestones of the Magisterium in Latin America, identifying the main lines of its teachings
• Outline the role of the Magisterium in the broader mission entrusted by God to the Church
• Acquire the notion of the Magisterium and understand the nature of the reflection it offers on temporal questions or questions of social order
• Grasp the various logical levels of knowledge generated by the Magisterium and identify its most important principles 

Learn how the Catholic Church changed and influenced World War II”