In this teaching pilot, you will have the chance to change history. In the summer of 325 CE, Christian bishops from across the Roman Empire met at Nicaea (mod. Iznik in Turkey). They had been summoned by Constantine, the first Christian emperor. The decisions they made have shaped Christianity to this day. Over four ‘game’ sessions, we will run our own Council of Nicaea. We will decide anew key questions about the theology of the Trinity (How was Jesus God? Was he as much of a god as his father?), and fundamental issues of church organisation (What should be done with Christians who collaborated during persecution? Should women be allowed to serve in the church?)
You will be assigned a role as a participant in the council—a person from the early fourth century—with victory objectives to pursue regarding these issues. You will need to read primary and secondary sources carefully to formulate persuasive arguments on these topics from the perspective of your character. You will also have to strategise with fellow players to shape the council’s debates and achieve your character’s goals. You will be assessed on your ability to present these arguments, in both oral and written form—and in character. As a result, you will gain a better understanding of early Christianity, the nature of historical contingency, and the character of political debate and collective decision making: both in the fourth century CE, and our own time.