Aims

The course objectives are to:
(1) Be capable of specifying the contribution of each author (studied in class) to the history of theology (and more generally of Christian literature), by referring to the excerpt of work commented on in class and to the bibliography involved;
(2) Have compiled a file of authors with their works, the critical editions and translations of them (to be used for the examination);
(3) Have read at least a significant part of a work by one of these authors (half the examination may consist in the student presenting the results of this reading).

Main themes

The course provides an introduction to the major texts of Western, medieval and modern Christian literature, highlighting the evolutions from the beginning of the Middle Ages to the year 1000, from the year 1000 to 1274, the 14th and 15th centuries and from the 15th through to the 18th century.

Content and teaching methods

1. Content: introduction (transition between Antiquity and the Middle Ages) to the following periods: from the beginning of the Middle Ages to the year 1000 (Boethius and Cassiodorius; the Rule attributed to St. Benedict, Gregory the Great, Isidore of Seville, Venerable Bede, Alcuin and John Scotus Erigina); from the year 1000 through 1274 (Anselm of Canterbury, the School of Chartres, Peter Abelard, the School of St. Victor, Bernard of Clairvaux, Peter Lombard, Francis of Assisi and the Franciscan theology of the 13th century, Thomas Aquinas and the masters who taught him); the 14th and 15th centuries (Duns Scotus and Meister Eckhart) and others.
2. Method: The course seeks to communicate the meaning of the evolution and diversity of theological themes in the history of Christian literature through an in-depth study of the various authors and currents cited above, as well as of an excerpt from their works; the scientific means of accessing these writings is provided in the bibliography.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Evaluation: oral examination (half the examination may consist in the student presenting the results of his or her reading of one of the authors studied in class).
Material: complete notes and a set of excerpts of works.

Programmes in which this activity is taught