Semester 1

This course examines the historical development of political and religious thought in Europe from the Medieval Era to the Renaissance and Reformation. It explores the Medieval Era and the Theory of the Universal Community, highlighting the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Holy Roman Empire and their influence on political authority. The course also examines the Theory of the Nation-State during the Renaissance and Reformation, showing how humanism, secular governance, and religious reform contributed to the rise of sovereign states. Finally, it discusses the Reformation in the Catholic Church, focusing on its causes, major reforms, and its impact on Christianity, European politics, and the development of the modern state. By the end of the course, students will understand how these historical developments transformed political organization, religious authority, and the foundations of the modern nation-state.