JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY COURSE CODE: "RL 225-2" COURSE NAME: "Mystics, Saints, and Sinners: Studies in Medieval Catholic Culture" SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2022

SYLLABUS INSTRUCTOR: Erik Walters EMAIL: [email protected] HOURS: T 2:15 PM 5:05 PM TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45 CREDITS: 3 PREREQUISITES: Partially on-site; activity fee: €30 or $35 OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Through a close study of both primary and secondary materials in theology, spirituality, aesthetics, and social history, this course will introduce students to the major forms and institutions of religious thought and practice in medieval, Christian Europe (from Saint Augustine to the rise of humanism). The course will begin by studying the theological foundations of self and world in the work of Augustine and Pseudo-Dionysius, before turning to an elucidation of central religious institutions such as the papacy (and its relationship to imperial Rome), the monastery (we will study the rule of Saint Benedict and visit a Benedictine monastery), the cathedral (we will visit San Giovanni in Laterano and Saint Peter’s), and the  university (and the scholastic philosophy to which it gave rise).  We will then turn to alternative expressions of medieval religious faith in the work of several mystics, notably Meister Eckhart and Angela of Foligno.  Finally we will study the reactions of the Church to the rise of science in the fifteenth century (we will look at the trial of Giordano Bruno) and will end with an appraisal of the continuity and renewal of Renaissance Humanism and its influence on the humanities as studied in a Liberal Arts Curriculum today.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT: The course will introduce students to the religious ideas and practices, philosophical and theological developments, and institutional changes and controversies that underlie the evolution and establishment of the Christian culture in Mediaeval Europe. Readings and analyses of New Testament sources in translation will serve as a comparative framework for understanding the development of Scholasticism, the highest intellectual expression of Mediaeval economic, legal, philosophical, religious, sociological, and theological thought. The course will lead students through the historical origins of the papal institution (and the political implications of its spiritual and temporal authority), and the rise and establishment of monasticism and universities, where scholastic culture was developed. This course includes several site visits that will compliment readings and class discussions, which will delve deeply into philosophical, religious, and theological ideas and debates of the historical period in question. Each of the Mid-Term and Final Exams ia a 3,000 word essay response to 10-20 questions based on lecture material, course texts, and some combination of the two. These exams will test the student's capacity for analysis and synthesis of course lecture and text material and develop critical thinking and its comprehensible communication through English composition. Specific "Mystics, Saints, and Sinners" will be addressed directly through individual course participants' in aula oral and visual "Research Project Presentations" based on outside research and sources annotated by the instructor's further lecture material. This will examine students' capacity for using current multimedia platforms in demonstrating and communicating the results of that outside research and the coherent and comprehensible communication of that outside research through public speaking.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Study of primary New Testament texts in translation will make students acquainted with the most significant philosophical questions produced by the Scholastic culture in the writings of prominent early and medieval Christian thinkers. Students will also develop an understanding of the development and establishment of the papacy, the monastic culture and institutional innovations, such as financial, governmental, religious, and university institutions. Writing and public speaking skills will also be improved by reflection and discussion upon deeply philosophical, religious, and theological questions. Students will learn not only about the historical period in question, but how the period came into and eventually went out of existence as part of human civilization's historical progression. Students' capacity for analyzing and synthesizing course lecture material, texts, and outside research and the coherent and comprehensible communication of that material through the written and spoken word serves to develop the skill of critical thinking.

TEXTBOOK: NONE

REQUIRED RESERVED READING: NONE RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING: NONE

GRADING POLICY -ASSESSMENT METHODS: Assignment Guidelines Weight Mid-Term Exam The "Midterm Exam" will test students' research and note-taking skills through an analysis of assigned readings and class lecture notes. The exam is divided into two parts: 1) questions to be answered directly from the selected required readings handed out in class (New Testament selected readings). Students must cite the chapter & verse number from which they are providing answers; 2) questions to be answered from class lecture notes including on-site visits. "Midterm Exams" are to be type-written in Times New Roman 12 point font, single-spaced, and with fully justified margins and are due exclusively in PDF format in the designated drop-box on JCU's "Moodle" platform no later than 11:59 PM CET (Rome time) on Tuesday, 01 March 2022. Errors in grammar, punctuation, syntax, diction, composition, and formatting will be deducted for a total of 15 points out of 100. Each of the questions is worth ten points. Lack of proper citations for readings merits point deductions in addition to inaccuracies, imprecisions, and lack of elaboration. This assignment is worth 25% of the final course grade. Student names are to appear nowhere on the exam. Rather, students will submit the "Midterm Exam" using their JCU ID number. This process is to ensure transparency and impartiality in evaluating and grading written projects. Late, emailed, and hand-written exams will not be accepted and will result in a failing grade of 00% F for this assessment method. Questions and clarifications as per the prompts/instructions should be addressed in class for the benefit of all course participants. No such emailed questions or clarifications will receive a response. In case of legitimate and documented emergency situations communicated by JCU's Academic Dean's Office to the course instructor via email, late submissions will be accepted within 48 hours after the indicated due date for submission and will result in one full letter grade deduction beyond the actual grade awarded for the exam. The "Midterm Exam" will be posted on JCU's "Moodle" platform at the beginning of the Spring Semester 2022. 25% Research Project Presentation Each student will select one topic from a list of topics in class on Tuesday, 01 February 2022, which will be available on JCU's "Moodle" platform at the beginning of the semester, and present a research project in class on Tuesday, 12 April 2022. Presentations are to be approximately 7 minutes. Presentations will address the following regarding the selected topic in question: 1) Historical and geographical contextualization of the selected topic (When and where?); 2) Biographical overview of the topic (Who?); 3) Three major issues, contributions, and/or controversies surrounding this topic (What?); 4) Reasons this topic is considered to be important during or after his or her lifetime (How?); 5) What, if any, relevance does this figure have today? (Why?) Presentations will be evaluated on the quality of the research itself as communicated in the oral presentation as well as the quality of public speaking and communication skills. Project presentations must use some form of visual/audio media (PowerPoint, etc.). Research Project Presentations may not be presented on any other day. Students unable to present projects in aula must submit an accessible, current, and viable link to their presentation via email to the course instructor no later than Tuesday, 12 April 2022 at 23,59 CET (Rome time). If a student is unable to present or does not submit their project, then a grade of 00% "F" will be awarded for this assessment method. 25% Final Exam The "Final Exam" will test students' critical thinking skills through an analysis and synthesis of class lecture notes, readings, and on-site visits. The assignment is divided into five questions. Students must cite the page number from which they are providing answers. Exams are to be type-written in Times New Roman 12 point font, single-spaced, and with fully justified margins. Errors in grammar, punctuation, syntax, diction, composition, and formatting will be deducted for a total of 15 points out of 100. Each of the questions is worth twenty points. This exam is worth 25% of the course grade. Student names are to appear nowhere on the exam. Rather, students will submit exams using their JCU ID number. This process is to ensure transparency and impartiality in evaluating and grading written projects. Final Exams are due in the designated drop-box on JCU's "Moodle" platform no later than 11:59 PM CET (Rome time) on Friday, 06 May 2022. Late, emailed, and hand-written Final Exams will not be accepted and will result in a failing grade for the assignment. In case of legitimate and documented emergency situations communicated by JCU's Academic Dean's Office to the course instructor via email, late submissions will be accepted within 48 hours after the indicated due date for submission and will result in one full letter grade deduction beyond the actual grade awarded for the exam. The "Final Exam" will be posted on JCU's "Moodle" platform during WEEK 7 of the Spring Semester 2022. 25% Attendance, Participation, and Site Visits This course is "partially" on-site. Half of all course lecture sessions are on-site. Class attendance is mandatory as is active participation in class lectures and on site visits of the following venues: 1) ancient Roman imperial necropolis in Vaticano beneath St. Peter's Basilica ("scavi") and the Basilica of St. Peter itself; 2) 1st century Domus, 2nd-3rd century Mithraeum, and 4th century basilica all beneath the 11th-12th century church of Saint Clement; 3) 2nd-3rd century catacombs, 4th century Constantinian basilica, 4th century mausoleum of Princess Constance, and 7th century church of St. Agnes in Via Nomentana; 4) the Franciscan-Capuchin "Bone Church" in via Veneto and the 4th century Basilica of Santa Sabina on the Aventine Hill; 5) the Vatican Museums including "early entry" into the Sistine Chapel; 6) the Basilica of Saint Paul outside the Walls; 7) Castel Gandolfo. One absence (including "emergency situations") will result automatically in a grade of 94% "A" for this assessment method/assignment. Two absences (including "emergency situations") will result automatically in a grade of 84% "B" for this assessment method/assignment. Three absences (including "emergency situations") will result automatically in a grade of 74% "C" for this assessment method/assignment. Four absences (including "emergency situations") will result in a grade of 69% "D" for this assessment method/assignment. Five or more absences (including "emergency situations") will result in a grade of 59% "F" for this assessment method/assignment. (N.B. - "Emergency situations", which do not include "permit of stay" appointments, are legitimately documented instances communicated by JCU's Academic Dean's Office directly to the course instructor via email). 10% Outlines and Worksheets Students must take notes directly on both “Outlines and Worksheets” and, consequently, students should use their laptops during in aula (in classroom) lecture sessions for this purpose. This assignment is worth 15% of the overall final course grade. Recorded video lectures for each session are available with embedded links provided on the “Outlines and Worksheets”. This assessment method directly assists student performance on the Midterm and Final exams and circumvents unforeseen circumstances that potentially prevent the course or any of its participants from meeting physically in aula for any reason. “Outline and Worksheet One” is due in the designated drop-box through JCU’s “Moodle” platform no later than 23,59 CET (11:59 PM Rome time) on Tuesday, 01 March 2022. “Outline and Worksheet Two” is due in the designated drop-box through JCU’s “Moodle” platform no later than 23,59 CET (11:59 PM Rome time) on Friday, 29 April 2022. Both assignments must be submitted exclusively as PDF documents. 15% -ASSESSMENT CRITERIA: A Excellent. Highly competent work of this quality directly and completely addresses the questions and issues raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information and content. This type of work demonstrates a thorough analysis and synthesis of material and a capacity for critical thinking. (94-100% A; 90-93% A-) B Above Average to Very Good. This is a competent level of performance and directly addresses the questions and issues raised. There is demonstration of some ability to analyze and synthesize coherently the material and to think critically. The work does not suffer from major errors, omissions, imprecisions, and/or inaccuracies. (87-89% B+; 84-86% B; 80-83% B-) C Average to Good. This is an acceptable level of performance and demonstrates work that is clear but limited with errors, omissions, imprecisions, inaccuracies, and/or a basic anaylisis and synthesis of the material and the process of critical thinking. (77-79% C+; 74-76% C; 70-73% C-) D Below Average to Unsatisfactory. This is an unacceptable level of performance and demonstrates work that is replete with errors, omissions, imprecisions, inaccuracies and/or a coherent grasp of the material. Important information is omitted and irrelevant information is included. (60-69% D) F Failure. This work demonstrates little to no engagement with the material. The work is irrelevant, incomprehensible, incomplete, or is the result of unsubmitted and/or penalized assignments. (0-59% F) -ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS: This course is "partially" on-site. Half of all course lecture sessions are on-site. Class attendance is mandatory as is active participation in class lectures and on site visits of the following 5 venues: 1) ancient Roman imperial necropolis in Vaticano beneath St. Peter's Basilica ("scavi") and the Basilica of St. Peter itself; 2) 1st century Domus, 2nd-3rd century Mithraeum, and 4th century basilica all beneath the 11th-12th century church of Saint Clement; 3) 2nd-3rd century catacombs, 4th century Constantinian basilica, 4th century mausoleum of Princess Constance, and 7th century church of St. Agnes in Via Nomentana; 4) 12th-13th century church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, the 14th century palace of the Porcari family, the nearby 2nd century Pantheon, and the 4th century Basilica of Santa Sabina on the Aventine Hill; 5) the Vatican Museums including "early entry" into the Sistine Chapel. One absence will result automatically in a grade of 94% "A" for this assessment method/assignment (including "emergency situations"). Two absences will result automatically in a grade of 84% "B" for this assessment method/assignment (including "emergency situations"). Three absences will result automatically in a grade of 75% "C" for this assessment method/assignment (including "emergency situations"). Four absences (including "emergency situations") will result in a grade of 69% "D" for this assessment method/assignment. Five or more absences (including "emergency situations") will result in a grade of 59% "F" for this assessment method/assignment. (N.B. - "Emergency situations", which do not include "permit of stay" appointments, are legitimately documented cases communicated directly by JCU's Academic Dean's Office to the course instructor via email).

ACADEMIC HONESTY As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Session Session Focus Reading Assignment Other Assignment Meeting Place/Exam Dates WEEK 1 Tuesday 18 January COURSE INTRODUCTION: Who, What, When, Where, How, and Why? Overview: Course prospectus, syllabus, schedule and expectations. Who are “We”? Why study “Religion”, “History”, the “Catholic Church”, and the "Middle" Ages? What are "mystics", "saints", and "sinners" in Christianity and "Medieval" Catholic culture? SEMIOTICS and PARADIGMS: How do human societies form? How do basic needs and wants take on religious symbolism, significance, and systems? HERMENEUTICS: Methodologies for studying objects of inquiry: philology, epistemology, metaphysics, history, and culture. Syllabus IN AULA 09:00-11:15 WEEK 2 Tuesday 25 January ANCIENT ROMAN FOUNDATIONS: “Building Bridges”: The world’s oldest, continuously surviving, and most important title and office (8th century BCE – 1st century CE). Ancient “Eternal” Rome: from the Roman monarchy, through the Republican SPQR, to the Imperial Period; Roman Law and Religion. ANCIENT CHRISTIAN FOUNDATIONS: The world’s second oldest, continuously surviving, and most important title and office (2nd century BCE – 1st century CE). Ancient “Roman” Jerusalem: Mosaic Law; the “Sanhedrin”; "Church", "Peter", and “Christ” in the Christian New Testament. The Fifth Gospel: “Incarnation & Resurrection”: Religion’s Astrological and Astronomical origins, and humanity’s most examined human artifact. Othonia, Sudarion, and Sindon: did Jesus “of Nazareth” or Jesus “Christ” exist? Previous Lecture Material • 1 Cor 15, 1-14; Mt 16, 13-20; Mt 27, 57-61; Jn 20,1-10; Jn 20,30-31; Jn 21,24-25 IN AULA 08:30-11:15 WEEK 4 Tuesday 08 February SITE VISIT ONE: Saint Agnes "outside the Walls": second and third century catacombs; fourth century Constantinian basilica; fourth century mausoleum of Princess Constance; seventh century church of Saint Agnes (Rome’s FIRST medieval church). Previous Lecture Material IN SITU Meeting Point and Time: in the atrium in front of the "Our Lady of Lourdes" grotto just inside the gate on Via di Sant'Agnese 3 at 09:30 AM SHARP! End time at 12:15 PM. (Travel time each way is one hour.) WEEK 10 Tuesday 29 March SITE VISIT FIVE: the "Scavi" beneath, the "Dome" above, and the "Basilica" of St. Peter in Vaticano. Previous Lecture Material IN SITU Meeting Point and Time: in front of the obelisk in St. Peter's Square at 08:00 AM SHARP! End time 12:15 PM. (Travel time is forty minutes each way.) WEEK 6 Tuesday 22 February SITE VISIT THREE: Saint Clement: first century domus; second-third century mithraeum; fourth century Constantinian basilica; twelfth century church of Saint Clement; thirteenth century Chapel of Saint Sylvester; medieval Cloister of the Santi Quattro Coronati Monastery; St. John Lateran Baptistery and Basilica. Previous Lecture Material IN SITU Meeting Point and Time: on the corner in front of Saint Clement's at the intersection of Via di San Giovanni in Laterano and Piazza di San Clemente at 09:00 AM SHARP! End time at 12:15 (travel time is forty-five minutes each way) WEEK 7 Tuesday 01 March MIDTERM EXAM: Six weeks in addition to exam time is afforded to the completion of this assignment (25% of course grade), which is due no later than 11:59 PM on Tuesday, 01 March 2022. RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATION IS DUE IN SIX WEEKS. MIDTERM EXAM DOMICILIO Tuesday, 01 March 2022 RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATION IS DUE IN SIX WEEKS. WEEK 8 Tuesday 08 March MIDDLE AGES (9th-14th centuries): MEDIEVAL DEBATE ONE: "De Iure Pontificio vs. De Iure Divino": the feudal system and lay investiture; the "Dictatus Papae", the "Magna Charta", and the "Unam Sanctam". MEDIEVAL DEBATE TWO: "The Buying and Selling of Indulgences": the cult of martyrs, saints, and relics; the sacrament of "Confession, Penance, and Reconciliation"; the Jubilee of 1300, the Proto-Reformers, and the Proto-Rinascimento. MEDIEVAL DEBATE THREE: "Fides vs. Ratio": the medieval university and the office of the "Inquisition"; the "Crusades"; the ancients' "Cosmological" argument; Anselm's "Ontological" argument; Aquinas' "Five Ways". Anselm's "Proslogion" • Aquinas' "De Aeternitate Mundi" IN AULA 08:30-11:15 WEEK 9 Tuesday 15 March SITE VISIT FOUR: Medieval Religious Orders: Benedictine Monks & Franciscan and Dominican Friars. The Franciscan Cappuchin Friars' "Bone Church" on the Quirinal Hill and the Dominican Friars' Saint Mary "sopra Minerva". The Benedictine monks' Saint Anselm and the Dominican Friars' Saint Sabina on the Aventine Hill. Previous Lecture Material IN SITU Meeting Point and Time: Piazza Barberini at 09:00 AM SHARP! End time 12:00 (travel time is thirty minutes each way.) WEEK 11 Tuesday 05 April SITE VISIT SIX: the Vatican Museums including the Medieval Apostolic Palace (Renaissance Rooms of Raffaello), the Medieval Sistine Chapel (Michelangelo's Renaissance Ceiling and "Last Judgment" scene), and the Pinacoteca's "Proto-Rinascimento. Previous Lecture Material IN SITU Meeting Point and Time: Vatican Museums entrance in Viale Vaticano at 09:00 AM SHARP! End time 12:15 (Travel time is forty minutes each way.) WEEK 12 Tuesday 12 April Research Project Presentation Previous Lecture Material IN AULA 08:30 AM on Tuesday, 12 April 2022 - RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATION DUE! WEEK 15 Monday 02 through Friday 06 May 2022 Whether you study hard or hardly study, I sincerely wish you all the best! All previously assigned readings and lecture material. DOMICILIO Friday 06 May 2022 WEEK 3 Tuesday 01 February DARK AGES (4th – 9th centuries CE): The metamorphosis of ancient Rome into medieval Christendom. The Islamic Caliphate vs. the “Barbarians” vs. the Merovingians and Carolingians; the birth of the “Holy Roman Empire” and the “Papal States”; monasticism and the “schola”. The ancient Roman Basilica and its transformation into the medieval Christian Cathedral. OUTLINE & WORKSHEET ONE DUE! Previous Lecture Material • The "Donation of Constantine" • The "Rule of St. Benedict" IN AULA 08:30-11:15 OUTLINE & WORKSHEET ONE DUE! WEEK 13 Tuesday 19 April Class will not meet today. Make-up day is site visit to Castel Gandolfo on Monday, 25 April 2022. All readings previously indicated on the syllabus. DOMICILIO Make-up day is site visit of Castel Gandolfo on Monday, 25 April 2022. WEEK 14 Monday 25 April SITE VISIT SEVEN: “Castel Gandolfo”: Apostolic Palace and Papal Gardens in Julius Caesar's hometown and Summer residence of the Popes (a.k.a. "the little Vatican"). Meeting Point, Date, and Time: in Piazza Trilussa on Monday, 25 April at 08:00 AM SHARP! End Time at 02:00 PM. (Travel time is one hour each way.) All readings and lecture material previously indicated on the syllabus. IN SITU - "Make-Up Day" for Tuesday, 19 April. Monday, 25 April 2022 at 08:00 AM SHARP in Piazza Trilussa! WEEK 5 Tuesday 15 February SITE VISIT TWO: Saint Paul's "outside the Walls": fourth century CE basilica and tomb of the Apostle Paul. Previous Lecture Material IN SITU Meeting Point and Time: on the small grassy lawn beneath the trees in front of the wrought iron gate between the atrium and Viale di San Paolo at 10:00 AM SHARP! End time 11:30 (Travel time is one hour each way.)