The emergence of a vibrant tradition of vernacular Christian literature and theology in thirteenth-century Europe opened the doors of Christian mystical thought and practice to an increasingly wide audience. In this seminar, we will focus our attention on some of the classic mystical texts and visionary literature from the High and Later Middle Ages, both Latin and vernacular, orthodox and heretical. Exploring the varieties of mystical expression and the social and cultural contexts underlying them, we will pay particular attention to the role of gender and authority in mystical writing, practice, and teaching. Students are expected to attend and participate in every class.
All reading is to be completed before the class for which it is assigned .
In addition to mastering the material required of undergraduates, graduate students are also expected to familiarize themselves with current scholarship in the field and to develop a critical understanding of the relevant issues in scholarship. They will also make an oral presentation to the seminar on their topic. The Complete Works , C. Luibheid, trans. Catholic Religious Life in Italy from Late Antiquity to the Present . B. Newman, Sister of Wisdom.