The Center for the Study of Early Christianity

The Center exists to foster an interdisciplinary approach to the study of early Christianity across the University.  Its Director and Executive Committee are appointed by and directly responsible to the Provost.

Key Goals and Principles

Everything we do is governed by three principles. 

• The development of early Christianity has to be studied in its social, political, and cultural context.  Although we pay close attention to theological ideas and religious practices, we have to reach beyond them and assess the character and impact of the circumstances in which they are observed.  This includes in a special way both Jewish traditions and the influence of classical "paganism."

• We emphasize the importance of language skills and foster their development - Greek especially, but also Latin, Syriac, and Coptic (along with several other languages of the Christian Orient).  Our students are expected to read easily in German and in at least one other European language other than English (normally French or Italian).

• Our aim is to develop within each student the skills proper to a range of disciplines and methodologies.  To that end, we prescribe courses taught in the Departments of Greek and Latin and of Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures, and in the Schools of Theology and Religious Studies and of Philosophy. 

Applying the Principles in Practice

Regular seminars bring together invited speakers from outside the university, all graduates working on early Christian topics, and faculty teaching and researching in the same field.

Visiting lecturers, again from outside the university, speak on campus several times a year (and almost always preside over seminars as well).

Less frequently, we host larger-scale meetings - conferences and study days devoted to broader themes.

We publish the series "CUA Studies in Early Christianity", devoted to collections of essays united around a common theme. 

Funding is provided for graduate students in our own program (in the form of annual fellowships), and for all graduates working in the field (in the form of conference fees and associated expenses).