Alabama Social Studies SS24.8.1a
The Standard
- SS24.8.1
- Analyze the economic, political, and social consequences of the collapse of the Western Roman Empire.
Trace the spread of Christianity in Europe and the wider Mediterranean region and outline the organizational structure of the early Catholic Church, including the roles of the Bishop of Rome and Councils of Carthage.
2024 Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students trace Christianity from Judea through Mediterranean cities and into Europe, before and after the western Roman Empire fell. They explain the Bishop of Rome's growing authority and how bishops meeting at Carthage made decisions about church practices and scripture.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can label Judea, Carthage, Rome, and Gaul on a map and explain how travelers and missionaries carried Christianity between regions. They can distinguish the Bishop of Rome's leadership from decisions made by groups of bishops at Carthage.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think Christianity began in Rome rather than Judea, or that it spread only after Rome fell. They may place Carthage in Europe or assume its councils were led by the Bishop of Rome.
How to Assess It
- On a blank Mediterranean map, have students label Judea, Carthage, Rome, and Gaul, then draw arrows showing Christianity's spread. Ask for one sentence about the Bishop of Rome and one about the councils at Carthage.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs a blank Mediterranean map and place cards for Judea, Carthage, Rome, and Gaul; have them place the cards and draw spread routes.
Ask students: How could the Bishop of Rome gain influence while bishops in Carthage still met to make decisions together?
Give students role cards for Rome's bishop, Carthage's councils, and missionaries; call out 'leads Rome,' 'bishops meet,' or 'teaches in new towns.'
Print a current diocese leadership chart; students circle the bishop and write one difference between that role and bishops meeting at Carthage.
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Printable SS24.8.1a Worksheet
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Related Standards
- SS24.8.7b
Analyze the relationship of the Catholic Church to economic, political, and social systems and rulers in medieval Europe.
- SS24.7.16b
Describe the founding and development of Christianity, including the roles of Jesus of Nazareth and Paul of Tarsus, and how its spread was directly and indirect...
- SS24.8.3
Trace and analyze the spread of Islam through the Mediterranean region under the caliphs from 632 to 1258, including the consolidation of the Qur’an.
- SS24.8.7
Outline the social, cultural, economic, and religious developments of early medieval Europe.
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