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Academic Year 2000/2001

Romans and Christians: Cultural Change in Late Antiquity
CCIV 371 FA
Crosslistings:
HIST 371
MDST 371
RELI 371
Clusters:
Christian Studies

The conversion of Constantine meant a new role for Christianity in the Roman world. Yet many Christians were reluctant to embrace traditional Roman culture because of its pagan element. The course will examine the process of conversion--of Romans to Christians and Christians to "Romans"--through textual and material evidence from the period (4th-6th centuries). Topics covered include the conversion of the Roman aristocracy; art and literature, ceremony, and social order; the spiritualization of time and place and the late Roman city; the beginnings of monasticism and of the cult of the saints; Christian asceticism (especially women saints); bishops, saints and poets in the Kingdom of the Franks.

MAJOR READINGS

Peter Brown, THE CULT OF THE SAINTS Ausonius, MOSELLE Gerontius, LIFE OF ST. MELANIA THE YOUNGER John Matthews, WESTERN ARISTOCRACIES AND IMPERIAL COURT Paulinus of Pella, POEM OF THANKSGIVING Prudentius, POEMS ON THE MARTYRS Rutilius Namatianus, CONCERNING HIS RETURN Sulpicius Severus, LIFE OF ST. MARTIN Venantius Fortunatus, LIFE OF ST. RADEGUND and brief selections from Augustine's CONFESSIONS, the correspondence of Ambrose, Ausonius and Jerome, the history of Ammianus Marcell inus, the poems and correspondence of Paulinus of Nola, Symmachus' RELATIONES and the LIFE OF OLYMPIAS.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

3 papers; in-class reports; weekly readings in primary and secondary materials.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Regular class attendance.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: NONE    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-26-2001

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