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Scholars, Radicals, and Heretics: Ideologies of Biblical Reading in Medieval Europe
ENGL249 SP
Crosslistings: RELI216,MDST249
The Bible was the central text of the medieval culture, yet its centrality did not guarantee that it was interpreted in the same way by everyone. This course examines the identities and communities formed by various
modes of biblical interpretation, from
the traditional to the radical to the heretical.
MAJOR READINGS
After briefly familiarizing ourselves with the texts of the Bible, we will examine the writings of some of the church fathers (Augustine, Jerome), then move on to high medieval practices of interpretation, production,
and performance. We will then focus
on specific interpretive communities by studying the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi, as a radical interpreter of the gospels, and the political precepts of the fourteenth century heretical community of the Lollards.
EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS
Several short (3-5 pp) papers, and one longer (8-10 pp) research paper.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS
This course satisfies the English Department's pre-1800 requirement. Non-majors, however, are welcome. Prior knowledge of the Bible is not required.
Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed
Drop/Add form to the Registrar's
Office.
COURSE FORMAT:
Lecture
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Level:
UGRD
Credit:
1
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA ENGL
Grading Mode:
Graded
Prerequisites:
NONE
Last Updated on MAR-24-2000
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Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459