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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 2014
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Erik Walters
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
M9:15 AM 12:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Partially on-site; activity fee: €30 or $35
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
- Understand how Mediaeval Christianity and Mediaeval Christian thought was influenced by the papacy, monasticism and the scholastic culture.
- Develop the ability to interpret and analyze primary sources in order to improve critical thinking skills.
- Express understanding by active class participation, which shows that students have read the assignments and have reflected on their meaning.
- Be able to compare different opinions of theological writers.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course will introduce students to the religious thought and practices, the philosophical achievements, institutional changes and controversies that underlie the evolution and establishment of the Christian culture in Mediaeval Europe. Reading and analysis of both primary and secondary sources - from the works of St. Augustine and Pseudo-Dionysus, to the great scholastic masters and mystical writers - will serve as a comparative framework for understanding the development of Scholasticism, the highest intellectual expression of Mediaeval philosophical thought. The course will lead students through the historical origins of the papal institution (and the political implications of its spiritual authority), the rise and establishment of monasticism and universities, where scholastic culture was developed and farmed. This course includes site visits that will complement readings and class discussions.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Study of primary texts will make students acquainted with the most significant philosophical questions produced by the Scholastic culture in the writings of prominent early Christian theologians. Students will also develop an understanding of the development and establishment of the papacy, the monastic culture and institutional innovations, such as the university. Writing skills will also be improved by reflection and discussion upon deep religious and philosophical questions.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Western Society and the Church In the Middle Ages | Southern, Richard | Penguin | 978-0140-1375-52 | | | | | |
| The Scholastic Culture in the Middle Ages 1000-1300 | Baldwin, John | Waveland Press | 0881339423 | | | | | |
| Confessions (in translation) | Augustine of Hippo | Oxford University Press | 192817744 | | | | | |
| Saints and Sinners | Duffy, Eamon | Yale University Press | 300115970 | | | | | |
| On the Divine Names and Mystical Theology (in translation) | Dionysius the Areopagite | Cosimo Inc. | 1602068364 | | | | | |
| The essential sermons, commentaries, treatises and defense (in translation) | Meister Eckhart | Paulist Press | 0809123703 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Mid-term exam | This mid-term 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) Ten questions to be answered directly from the required readings from the textbooks and those handed out in class (Christie's "The Fall of the Western Roman Empire). Students are expected to cite the page number from which they are providing answers; 2) Ten questions to be answered from class lecture notes. Although some answers should be considerably longer and more developed than others, each of the 20 questions is worth five points. This mid-term exam is worth 30% of the course grade. Exams are to be type-written and are due in class on Monday, 7 October 2013. Late, emailed, and hand-written exams will not be accepted and will result in a failing grade for the exam. | 30% |
| Summary Paper | Students are to prepare a 10 page summary with specific citations from the selected readings from Aquinas' "Summa Theologiae", Eckhart's "The Essential Sermons...", and Wippel's "The Parisian Condemnations of 1270 and 1277. Papers are to be type-written and are due in class on Monday, 25 November 2013. Late or emailed exams will not be accepted and will result in a failing grade for this assignment. | 30% |
| Final Exam | This final exam will test students' research skills and note-taking skills through an analysis of assigned readings and class lecture notes. The exam is divided into two parts: 1) Ten questions to be answered directly from the required readings from the textbooks. Students are expected to cite the page number from which they are providing answers; 2) Ten questions to be answered from class lecture notes. Although some answers should be considerably longer and more developed than others, each of the 20 questions is worth five points. This final exam is worth 30% of the course grade. Exams are to be type-written and are due in the examination room by the end of the exam period on the date assigned (to be determined). Late, emailed, and hand-written exams will not be accepted and will result in a failing grade for the exam. | 30% |
| Class participation and site visits | Class attendance is mandatory as is participation in class discussions and on site visits of the following venues: 1) ancient Roman imperial necropolis in Vaticano ("scavi"); 2) mithraeum beneath and basilica of San Clemente and the chapel of Saint Sylvester at Santi Quattro Coronati; 3) catacombs and basilica of Saint Agnes and mausoleum of Princess Constance; 4) church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva. | 10% |
-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. (95-100% A; 93-94% A-)
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. (91-92% B+; 88-90% B; 85-88% B-)
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. (83-84% C+; 80-82% C; 77-79% C-)
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. (70-76% D)
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. (69%)
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Class attendance is required due to the intense amount of lecture material and on site visits.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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Week 1
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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.
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Week 2
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Theological Anthropology: St. Augustine
Reading: St. Augustine, Confessions, books 2, 7 and 8; On Christian Teaching, bk. 1, 6.6 -6.9
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Week 3
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The Mysticism of Pseudo-Dionysius
Reading: Pseudo-Dionysus, Divine Names, chapter 1 and Mystical Theology (complete works).
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Week 4
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The Papacy: Origins of the Institution
Reading: Gospel of Matthew: 16: 13-19; Gospel of John: 21: 15-17. 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).
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Week 5
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Growth of Papal authority
Reading: E. Duffy, Saints and Sinners, Chapter 2, Section IV (“Empires of the West, pp. 86-109) and On the Donation of Constantine
FIRST SHORT PAPER DUE (printed out and submitted at beginning of class).
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Week 6
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SITE VISIT: Churches of San Clemente and Santi Quattro Coronati
The underground level of San Clemente is an archeological witness of the conditions of the primitive Church in Rome facing persecutions and accepting martyrdom.
The Church of Quattro Santi Coronati hosts a fresco cycle which is a depiction of the Donation of Constantine and its political implications.
Reading: The Life of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Jacobus de Voragine, The Golden Legend
IMPORTANT: observe sacred dress code
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Week 7
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Western Monasticism
Reading: C. Brooke, The Age of Cloister, pp. 25-33; 44-51; 52-69; 166-178 and Rule of St. Benedict (selections).
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Week 8
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Schools and Universities. Theology : the Queen of the Faculties.
Reading: J. Baldwin, The Scholastic Culture, pp. 35-57; 79-97.
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Week 9
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St. Thomas Aquinas and the ontological proof of the existence of God.
Reading: St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Part I, Questions 2 (“The Existence of God”) and 12 (“How God is known to us”).
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Week 10
SITE VISIT: Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva and Casanatense Library
At Santa Maria sopra Minerva we will visit the Carafa Chapel, dedicated to St. Thomas Aquinas, and the fresco depicting his victory over heresy.
At the Casanatense Library we will examine Medieval manuscript and early printed versions of some of St. Thomas Aquinas's most significant works.
IMPORTANT: Observe sacred site dress code.
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Week 12
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The development of the doctrine of Purgatory
Reading: J. Le Goff, The Birth of Purgatory, pp.1- 14
Apocalypse of St. John, 1:9-20; 4:1-3; 4:4-11; 17:1; 19:10; 22:5
SITE VISIT: Churches of Santa Prassede and Santa Prudenziana. Here we will study the iconography of the Apocalypse as depicted in the beautiful mosaics in these churches.
IMPORTANT: Observe sacred site dress code.
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Week 13
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Meister Eckhart: between 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.
CONCLUSIONS – Review material for FINAL EXAM
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