Aims

Introduction to the Critical Study of Theological Sources
The course objective is to acquire the capacity of exercising textual and historical criticism about all categories of religious documents (theological, magisterial, spiritual, etc.). The idea is to allow the students to practice heuristics, through bibliographical research in different theological disciplines.

Main themes

Students also examine the principles of critique applied to religious sources, with these principles illustrated by means of cases drawn from various types of sources. Students are trained in bibliographical research by means of an heuristic exercise.

Content and teaching methods

2002-2003 :

This course has a theoretical part and a practical part. In the theoretical part, we will study what the critical approach to sources involves and how it is applied to different theological sources : patristic, exegetical, liturgical, conciliar, theological, hagiographical, historical, canonical and magisterial texts, etc… From a practical point of view, it is an introduction to the principal sources of theological documentation, by manipulating basic bibliography in these different domains as well as computerized data bases. We will also be asking students to assemble a short bibliography on a subject and write a critical review of the works mentioned.

Other credits in programs