Learning objectives
The first part of the course aims at introducing students to some of the most important works of Early Christian Literature; particular focus will be on Early Christian Literature basics and literary genres.
The second part of the course, through selected readings, focuses on historical, cultural and literary dynamics occurring within Early Christian exegesis.
- Knowledge and understanding
Through specific class activities, seminars and lectures the course will provide students with critical understanding of the literary and cultural background of the main and most important exegetical works.
- Applying knowledge and understanding
The study of the Judaean and Hellenistical historical context and the analysis of the most characterizing aspects of the very first Christian literary works will provide students with a general understanding of the main cultural and literary developments of Greek and Latin Christian Literature. Students will so be given the possibility to broaden their literary spectrum and to better place historical and literary issues in their proper context. This will possibly result in a more complete understanding of modern and contemporary theological and literary problems.
- Making judgements
Thanks to the theoretical, linguistic and literary data acquired during classes, students should be able to critically read and interpret ancient Greek and Latin Christian texts, and thus be able to make personal judgements on ancient Christian works and on their social and cultural background.
- Communication skills
At the end of the course students should be able to:
1) properly present a variety of literary and cultural topics;
2) properly produce cross-sectional studies on different historical and literary topics.
- Learning skills
The course aims at providing students with methodological and learning skills useful for future employment (with particular reference to teaching and communication).
Prerequisites
None
Course unit content
The first part of the course will focus on literary institutions and critical methodology, with particular reference to:
- evolution of Early Christian literary genres;
- intertextuality and hypertextuality:
- early stages of Early Christian Literature;
- formal and literary aspects of continuity and discontinuity: Early Christian Literature and its relations with Greek and Latin Literatures.
The second part of the course will focus on the pagan reaction to Christian literature.
Full programme
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Bibliography
1) M. SIMONETTI, E. PRINZIVALLI, Storia della letteratura cristiana antica, ed. EDB, Bologna 2010 (selection)
2) One of the following books (the student will be given the possibility to choose among the books listed below):
- A. DULLES, Storia dell'apologetica, Verona 2010.
- A. VON HARNACK, Marcione. Il Vangelo del Dio straniero, Genova-Milano 2007.
Non-attending students must get in contact the the teacher for information on bibliography
Teaching methods
The teaching method consists of face-to-face lectures accompanied by weekly tutoring sessions and the provision of short video recordings or supplementary materials.
Through classroom lectures students will be guided to a first methodological approach for the study of different text according to the specific features of literary genres and authors.
Classroom lectures will be supplemented by practice sessions and tutorials to support students in gaining the resources and skills needed to properly read and translate texts and to understand the most important phonological and metrical aspects. Tutorial activities will be scaled up and down according to students’ abilities and needs.
Assessment methods and criteria
Students will be assessed by an oral comprehensive examination based on the readings and other material used in the course and that will be administered at the end of the term.
The assessment aims to test:
1) proper knowledge and critical understanding of the literary and cultural background of the main and most important literary genres within the field of Ancient Christian Literature;
2) general understanding of the main cultural and literary developments of Greek and Latin Christian Literature and of the readings and other material used in the course;
3) ability to critically read and interpret ancient Greek and Latin Christian texts, and to make personal judgements on ancient Christian works and on their social and cultural background;
4) ability to properly produce cross-sectional studies on different historical and literary topics.
Students will be assessed on:
written and oral proficiency; correct use of language; personal reinterpretation of contents; ability to make inter-disciplinary connections; proper use of specialist language; ability to give proper answers to given questions.
Students will have to score a minimum of 60 percent or better to get a pass grade.
Other information
No
2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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