Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "RL 225-2"
COURSE NAME: "Mystic, Saints, and Sinners: Studies in Medieval Catholic Culture (Partially on-site, activity €10 or $15)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Giletti Ann
HOURS: W 9:15-12:05
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Partially on-site; activity fee: €30 or $35
OFFICE HOURS: By Appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Course Aims

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

- understand the particular and interdependent ways in which Christianity and the medieval period were shaped by the institutions of the papacy, the monastery, and the university;

- understand, analyze and compare the theological contributions of the writers studied in the course; and
- express the above understanding in active class discussion and carefully prepared essays, in which students demonstrate their ability to form a thesis statement and justify it with textual citation and analysis.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Summary

Through a close study of both primary and secondary materials on theology, spirituality, and religious 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 scholastics). 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 the political aspects of this authority), the monastery (as an opportunity for spiritual quest), and the university (including the scholastic philosophy and theology to which it gave rise). In our study of the primary texts and their context, we will encounter aspects of mystical thought, as well as the problem of the conflict of faith and reason (science/philosophy and religion). This course includes site visits related to the reading and discussion in class.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will will acquire an understanding of key elements in the thinking of several prominent early Christian theologians and mystics,
as well as factors in the development and characteristics of the institutions of the papacy, monastery and university.
Students will also acquire improved skills in analytical thought and expression.

TEXTBOOK:

NONE

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Class Participation	Class participation includes class attendance (attendance will be taken) and active participation in the class discussion, in which students contribute their thoughts on the topics under examination and their understanding of the readings completed in advance of the class.	10%
Short Paper #1	The two short papers are 5-6 page essays (double-spaced type) on topics being explored in the course. The essay topics will be assigned in class. The papers must be well constructed around a thesis statement which the essay demonstrates and backs up with references to, and quotations from, our primary sources. Further information on the short paper assignments will be given in class.	20%
Short Paper #2		20%
Midterm Exam	The two exams will be on material covered in class and in our reading. The final exam is cumulative.	25%
Final Exam		25%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.

A: Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge 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.

B: This 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.

C: This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D: This 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.

F: This 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 Requirement

Preparation for, attendance at, and participation in lectures and site visits are all required and will count toward the student’s final grade. Students are allowed only two absences; each additional absence will result in a significant reduction in the final grade for the course. Students with more than five absences will fail the course. Students arriving in class after attendance has been taken will be counted as absent. Students who miss class are responsible for getting class notes from another student.

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

	Topic and Reading
1.	Introduction and Historical Overview Reading: R.W. Southern, Western Society and the Church in the Middle Ages, Chapters 1 ("Church and Society", pp. 15-23) and 2 ("The Divisions of Time", pp. 24-52).
2.	Theological Anthropology: St. Augustine Reading: Augustine, Confessions, Books 2, 7 and 8.
3.	The Mysticism of Pseudo-Dionysius Reading: Pseudo-Dionysius, The Divine Names, Chapter 1 (pp. 32-42), and Mystical Theology (complete work, pp. 118-123).
4.	The Papacy: Origins of the Institution Reading: Matthew 16:13-19 and John 21:15-17; and E. Duffy, Saints and Sinners, Chapters 1 ("Upon this Rock", pp. 1-47) and 2, Section II ("The Age of Gregory the Great", pp. 59-72).
5.	Growth of Papal Authority Reading: E. Duffy, Saints and Sinners, Chapter 2, Section IV ("Empires of the West", pp. 86-97); and The Donation of Constantine. FIRST SHORT PAPER DUE (printed out and at the start of class).
6.	SITE VISIT: Churches of San Clemente and Santi Quattro Coronati At San Clemente we will visit the underground archeological levels and discuss the conditions of early Christianity, including the persecutions/martyrdoms. At Santi Quattro Coronati we will visit the fresco cycle in the San Silvestro Chapel to discuss this depiction of the Donation of Constantine and its political implications. Reading: Life of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Jacobus de Voragine, The Golden Legend. IMPORTANT: Observe sacred site dress code.
7.	MIDTERM EXAM
8.	Monasticism Reading: C.H. Lawrence, Medieval Monasticism, Chapters 8 ("The Quest for the Primitive", pp. 146-171) and 9 ("The Cistercian Model", pp. 172-198); and St. Benedict, The Rule of St. Benedict (selections).
9.	The University: Theological Discussion on Knowing God; and the Conflict of Faith and Reason Reading: Thomas Aquinas, Summa theologica, Part I, Questions 2 ("The Existence of God", pp. 13-18) and 12 ("How God is Known by Us", pp. 71-88); Thomas Aquinas, On The Eternity of the World; and J.F. Wippel, "The Parisian Condemnations of 1270 and 1277" (pp. 65-73).
10.	SITE VISIT: Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva and the Biblioteca Casanatense At Santa Maria sopra Minerva, we will visit the chapel dedicated to St. Thomas Aquinas and the fresco depicting his victory over heresy; at the Casanatense Library, we will examine medieval manuscripts of philosophical and mystical works. IMPORTANT: Observe sacred site dress code.
11.	Saints and Sinners: Places of the Afterlife and Development of the Doctrine of Purgatory; and the Vision of the Apocalypse Readings: Revelation (excerpts); II Machabees 13, 39-45; and I Corinthians 3, 10-15. SECOND SHORT PAPER DUE (printed out and at the start of class).
12.	SITE VISIT: Churches of Santa Prassede and Santa Pudenziana Based on our Biblical discussions in class, we will interpret the iconography relating to the vision of the Apocalypse in the beautiful mosaics in these churches. IMPORTANT: Observe sacred site dress code.
13.	Mysticism and Heresy Meister Eckhart, On Detachment (pp. 285-294), and Sermons Beati pauperes spiritu…, and Renovamini spiritu (nos. 52 and 83, pp. 199-203 and 206-208); and Papal Bull In agro dominico (March 27, 1329) (pp. 77-81).
14.	Conclusions and Review for Final Exam.
FINAL EXAM