Register for this course and learn the role the Catholic Church plays in history. We’ll dive into the hot topics of the Crusades, Inquisition, and human enslavement.
How to get the most out of this course:
1. It is important that the student attends (or watches) every class since each class more or less builds upon the previous one.
2. There are recommended books and CDs for this course. They are NOT required. All of the relevant information will be available on PowerPoint. However, students may wish to have additional information on some of the subjects since we will not be able to go in depth on several issues.
3. There is no final grade for this course.
4. Each class will have a brief multiple question quiz. These quizzes are optional and their purpose is to reinforce the most important point of each lesson.
Special Notes: There are two parts to this course. They can be taken independently or together.
Total Classes: 12
Duration: 55 minutes
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th Grade
Suggested credit: 1 full semester High School Theology or Apologetics
Instructor: Gary Michuta
Instructor Email: gmichuta@hotmail.com
Course description: For centuries, successful attempts have been made to paint the Catholic Church in the worst possible light. These distortions in history are known as "no-popery history." These myths have been repeated so much that they are often defended today as undeniable truths. In this first part of a two part series, students will learn several of the key historical myths that every defender of the Faith should know and how to help disabuse people who believe these myths to be true.
Course outline:
Class #1 - The Beginning of "No-Popery" History
Class #2 - The Crusades: Offensive or Defensive?
Class #3 - The Rise of Islam and the Myth of the Crusades
Class #4 - Answering Common Objections to the Crusades
Class #5 - What was the Inquisition?
Class #6 - The Albigensian Inquisition
Class #7 - The Spanish Inquisition
Class #8 - Answering Common Objections to the Inquisition
Class #9 - Slavery in the Old and New Testaments
Class #10 - Slavery, the Papacy, and International Law
Class #11 - Answering Common Objections
Class #12 - The Rise of Spain and the Birth of Anti-Catholic Myths
Course materials:
Recommended but not required:
The Glory of the Crusades by Steven Wiedenkopf [Catholic Answers], https://shop.catholic.com/the-glory-of-the-crusades-softcover/ or https://amzn.to/3Xrhbes
The Real Story of the Crusades by Steven Wiedenkoft (audio) [Catholic Answers], https://shop.catholic.com/the-real-story-of-the-crusades-mp3/
Understanding the Inquisition by Christopher Check ,https://angeluspress.org/products/understanding-inquisition
Bearing False Witness: Debunking Centuries of Anti-Catholic History by Rodney Stark, https://shop.catholic.com/bearing-false-witness-debunking-centuries-of-anti-catholic-history/
Homework: About 20 to 30 minutes of reading per week, and weekly quizzes to reinforce learning. Quizzes are automated for immediate feedback.
- Teacher: Gary Michuta