Short Course: Topics in Church History - Medieval Church History

Led by Dr Rostislav Tkachenko, Associate Supervisor at Westcott House, this course will focus on developments in medieval Christianity and how they have shaped contemporary practices and global debates.

Students will adopt a place-based approach to studying Christian thought and practice by focusing primarily on UNESCO World Heritage sites. These sites – and the texts and cultural works produced or preserved in them – highlight important events and ideas in the history of Christianity between c. 600-1500. Crucially, too, their histories are essential for understanding and facilitating contemporary ecumenical, inter-religious, and international relations.

The course will specifically focus on early medieval Christianity in the Middle East, desert monasticism, the concept of Christendom, the Crusades, Eastern and Western Monastic movements, medieval devotional practices and pastoral care.

• Module Leader: Dr Rostislav Tkachenko
• Duration: 4 x 3 hour sessions
• Dates: weekly on Tuesdays(5 – 26 May 2026)
• Time: 14.00-17.00pm
• Mode: in person
• Venue: Westcott House, Cambridge
• Cost: £200 GBP

Taught as part of our Durham University Common Awards Undergraduate programme, you will have access to our learning platform, where you will find pre-reading, class and lecture information.

Visit www.westcott.cam.ac.uk for more information on all of our 2025/26 short courses, including our online short courses in Spirituality and Theology.

The information detailed below applies only where there is no over-riding course specific cancellation and refund information. For information pertaining to cancellations and refunds for specific courses, please refer to those course types.

You have the right to cancel the course booking within 14 calendar days of receiving your order confirmation without giving any reason and are entitled to a full refund of the price paid.

All other cancellations and refunds outside those described above, and/or following the expiry of the 14-day cancellation period, are subject to the terms and conditions set out in this Cancellation and Refund policy. The cancellation period will expire 14 days after the date of the Order Confirmation.

Reimbursement will be made by Westcott House using the same means of payment, unless it has been expressly agreed otherwise. Fees as a result of this reimbursement will not be incurred.

If during the cancellation period you start to use our services (i.e. if the course commences during the 14-day cancellation period), or if you access the course materials, and you cancel your Contract, you shall pay us an amount that is in proportion to what has been performed up until you have communicated to us your cancellation from this Contract, in comparison to full coverage of the Contract.

You will not have the right to cancel a Contract where the Services have been fully performed.

Cancellation by Westcott House

Whilst every effort is made to avoid changes, Westcott House reserves the right to reschedule, cancel or withdraw any of its courses. If a course is cancelled by Westcott House, for any reason, 100% of the course fees will be refunded.

This excludes reimbursement of the cost of any pre-booked travel arrangements. We would encourage you to consider travel insurance to cover any significant costs incurred.

Cancellations

Where an event has been booked through a ticketing platform, you must use this mode to cancel a course booking and request a refund.

If you used an alternative booking method, you must inform us, either by:

• contacting Reception on +44(0)1223 741000, followed by confirmation in writing
• emailing [email protected]

You must clearly state your intention to cancel the booking. To meet the cancellation deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning exercising the right to cancel before the cancellation period has expired.

Refunds

Cancellations received within 14 days of booking your place on the course will receive a full refund.

Cancellations received after the 14-day cancellation period and earlier than 8 days before the start date of the course will receive a 50% refund of any fees paid, minus an administration cost to cover the service fees incurred by the ticketing platform, if applicable.

Cancellations received after the 14-day cancellation period and later than 8 days before the start date of the course will not be eligible for a refund.

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