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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "RL 225-4"
COURSE NAME: "Mystics, Saints, and Sinners: Studies in Medieval Catholic Culture"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2024
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Fabrizio Conti
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: T9:15 AM 12:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Partially on-site; activity fee: €30 or $35
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment
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:
Through a discussion of primary sources and scholarly studies in religious history, cultural history, and iconography,  this course will introduce students to the major forms and institutions of religious life in medieval and Christian Europe between the 5th through the 15th centuries. The course will begin by studying the foundations of medieval religious history, 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, and the court of the inquisitor.  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 efforts of the Church to conquer and re-evangelize fifteenth-century Europe with the popular preachers and the rise of withcraft.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will 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 be improved by reflection and discussion upon deeply cultural and religious 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:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Paper This is an essay based on scholarly articles. You will be given a list of topics, among which you will pick the one you prefer and develop it in about 2000 words. You can also propose a different topic of your choice worthy of investigation. The relevant sources and the questions which serve as guidelines for the analysis will be posted on Moodle. The written assignment should be submitted to me electronically by the due date. No late papers will be accepted.30%
Mid-Term ExamThis will be a take-home written exam composed of short answer and essay questions. Your grade on this exam will depend upon the analytical strength and persuasiveness of your arguments as well as the factual accuracy of your answers. More information about these exams will be provided as their dates near.25%
Final ExamThis will be an in-class written exam composed of short answer and essay questions. Your grade on this exam will depend upon the analytical strength and persuasiveness of your arguments as well as the factual accuracy of your answers. More information about these exams will be provided as their dates near.25%
Attendance and Class ParticipationIt is important that you: a) are in class; b) have done the readings and thought about them; c) express your views and questions orally in class and are able to make connections with the topics that have been already covered. Persistent absence or having failed to do the reading will affect your participation grade. A student discussion forum on the weekly readings and topics, moderated by the professor, is activated on Moodle. Students' thoughtful participation is essential.20%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________

 

Letter grades and corresponding percentages for this class

94 – 100 points = A

90 – 93.99 pts = A-

87 – 89.99 = B+

83 – 86.99 = B

80 – 82.99 = B-

77 – 79.99 = C+

70 – 76.99 = C

60 – 69.99 = D

59.99 – 0 = F 
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

This syllabus is preliminary and may be subject to change 

 

All readings are either available on Moodle or accessible through the links in the syllabus

 

Week 1

  •  Intro to course. The Mystery of Mary Magdalene: First Saint and Apostle of the Apostles

 

üThomas Merton, A Course in Christian Mysticism, pp. 1-11

ü Bart D. Ehrman, Peter, Paul, and Mary Magdalene: The Followers of Jesus in History and Legend, pp. 179-192

ü St. Augustine, Confessions, Book 2 (2.1.1 - 2.4.9) and Book 11 (11.10.12 - 11.18.23): 

   https://faculty.georgetown.edu/jod/Englishconfessions.html

 

 Week 2

  • Where It All Began: Rome and The Early Popes

Ø  Site Visit: Catacombs of St. Sebastian

 

Read:

üThomas Merton, A Course in Christian Mysticism, pp. 33-52

ü  The Life of Constantine, Chapters 27 through 31, pp. 739-742:

    http://www.documentacatholicaomnia.eu/03d/1819-1893,_Schaff._Philip,_3_Vol_01_Eusebius_Pamphilius,_EN.pdf

 

 

Week 3

  • The Martyr, The Pope, and The Ancient God Mithras

Read:

ü  Philip Rousseau, The Early Christian Centuries, pp. 1-22 ("Giving a Shape to Early Christian History")

ü  Rome: An Oxford Archaeological Guide, ed. by Amanda Claridge pp. 319-324

   (“Colosseum Valley and Esquiline Hill: S. Clemente”)

ü  People and Places of the Roman Past, ed. by Peter Hatlie, Ch. 8: Pope Clement I of Rome 

 

Week 4

Ø  Site Visit: Basilica of St. Clement and Mithraeum, Basilica of St. John Lateran

  • Monks, Popes, and the Birth of the Papal State

üThomas Merton, A Course in Christian Mysticism, pp. 57-70

ü  Gregory The Great, Dialogues, Book II, Chapters: 2, 4, 7, 14, 34, 36: https://www.osb.org/gen/greg/

 ü  Benedict of Norcia, Rule for the Monks, Chapters: 1, 2, 6, 8, 22, 30,

https://www.solesmes.com/sites/default/files/upload/pdf/rule_of_st_benedict.pdf

ü  Logan F. Donald, A History of the Church in The Middle Ages, pp. 67-83 ("The Franco-Papal Alliance")

  

 Week 5

Ø  Partially on site: Jewish Neighborhood; Church of St. Angelo in Pescheria; Church of St. Nicholas

   in Prison

  • The First Crusade and The Reform Movements

üThomas Merton, A Course in Christian Mysticism, pp. 71-87

ü  Margaret Deanesly, A History of the Medieval Church, Chapters VI, VII, VIII

 ü  Gregory VII, The Dictates of the Pope: https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/g7-dictpap.asp

 ü  Pope Urban II Call for the Crusade: https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/urban2-fulcher.asp

ü  Foundation Charter of Cluny: https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/chart-cluny.asp 

 

Week 6

  • Medieval Monks Between the Cloister and the Battlefield 

üThomas Merton, A Course in Christian Mysticism, pp. 99-117

ü  Statutes of the Carthusian Order (Ch. 2; Book 1: ch. 4, 5; Book 4: ch. 34):

https://chartreux.org/moines/en/statutes/

ü  Bernard of Clairvaux, In Praise of the New Knighthood: https://history.hanover.edu/courses/excerpts/344bern2.html

  

Week 7

  • Knights Templar, Early-Christian Basilicas, and Monastic Schools in Rome

 

Ø  Site Visit (Aventine Hill): Basilica of Santa Sabina, Monastery and College of St. Anselm

 

 üThomas Merton, A Course in Christian Mysticism, pp. 118-127

üMaskarinec, City of Saints, pp. 100-116

 

  •  Take-Home Mid-Term Exam: due on 18 October, 11:59PM

 

Week 8

 "Brother Sun, Sister Moon": Francis of Assisi 

ü  "Saint Francis of Assisi": Film Screening and discussion ("Brother Sun, Sister Moon", by Franco Zeffirelli)

ü  Reading the Middle Ages, ed. by Rosenwein, documents 6.24 (Peter Waldo);

   6.26 (Francis of Assisi, The Canticle to Brother Sun)

 

Week 9

  • The Church at the Conquest of Society

ü  Lindberg, A Brief History of Christianity (selected pp.)

ü  The Fourth Lateran Council, Canons: 21, 67, 68, 69, 70: https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/basis/lateran4.asp

 

Week 10

  • Saints and Sinners: A Medieval Persecuting Society?

ü  Reading the Middle Ages, ed. by Rosenwein, docs: 7.13 (Inquisition: Jacques Fournier, Episcopal Register);

    7.14 (Procedures for Isolating Lepers: the Sarum Manual)

ü  R.I. Moore, The Formation of a Persecuting Society, Ch. 2

 

 Week 11

Ø  Site Visit: Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Church of St. Ignatius

 

 Week 12

  •  Inner Religious Attitudes and the Renaissance Church

üThomas Merton, A Course in Christian Mysticism, pp. 141-160

ü  Deanesly, A History of the Medieval Church, pp.  165-176 (Avignon Popes)

ü  Walker Bynum, Holy Feast and Holy Fast, pp. 13-30 (Religious Women)

 

Week 13

  • The Church Between Art and Power: Preachers, Inquisitors, Missionaries

ü  Kors and Peters, Witchcraft in Europe, pp. 133-137 (Bernardino of Siena preaches against women sorcerers) 

ü  Fabrizio Conti, Witchcraft, Superstition, and Observant Franciscan Preachers (selected pp.)

ü  Deanesly, A History of the Medieval Church, pp. 231-243 (The Renaissance)

 

Paper due on 29 November, 11:59PM

 

Week 14

  • Women as Mystics, Saints, and Witches 

 ü  Tamar Herzig, “Witches, Saints, and Heretics: Heinrich Kramer’s Ties with Italian Women Mystics”,

    Magic, Ritual, and Witchcraft 1 (2006): 24-55

ü  Noffke, "The Physical in the Mystical Writings of Catherine of Siena"

üThomas Merton, A Course in Christian Mysticism, pp. 161-183 

 

 

 Final Exam