Aims

By the end of this course, the student should be able to differentiate the various types of theology practiced in the Middle Ages, as to their methods, sources, literary genres, and historical, cultural and institutional contexts. He should be able to use some working instruments of the discipline and do in-depth, personal research work on a particular point of the course.

Main themes

The course will attempt to present the principal axes of monastic theology and scholastic theology. Its genesis will be studied in Anselm of Canterbury, Abelard and his school, the Victorines and the Chartraines, before moving on to some great syntheses, like those of Thomas Aquinas, Bonaventure and Duns Scotus. We shall also dwell somewhat on late scholasticism and deviant theological doctrines : Cathars, Vaudois, etc.

Content and teaching methods

To present the methods, sources and literary genres of various theologies, a particular theme will be chosen to guide us. This theme varies from year to year : creation, exegesis, the science of Christ, etc.
General considerations are illustrated by texts of theologians representative of the currents considered, texts that are reviewed and analysed in the course.

Other credits in programs