| Course | Instructor |
|---|---|
| Spring Quarter, 2010 | |
| MEDIEVAL STUDIES 130A: MEDIEVAL MYSTICISM | Kevin Roddy |
| An Upper-Division Civilization and Culture Course (Writing) | Lecturer |
|
Discussion Sections: 83149 F 10:00-10:50AM Social Sciences 90 F 11:00-11:50AM Olson 217 | |
| 101 Olson | 350 Voorhies (752-4541) |
| 1:40-3:00 TuTh | Office Hours: W 10:00-12:00; by appointment |
| Class Web Page (http://medieval.ucdavis.edu/130/) | Instructor email (kproddy@ucdavis.edu) |
| Class Email (mst130a-s10@ucdavis.edu) | |
| Class Email Archive (http://listproc.ucdavis.edu/class/201003/mst130a-s10) |
Course description:
Mysticism in the Medieval tradition draws together a vast number of themes, relating to reason and passion, spirit and law, unity and separation, individualism and self-denial, structure and chaos, spontaneity and rule, discipline and freedom, tradition and invention, mercy and justice. The effort to encompass these themes, even to distinguish them, formed the basis of a dynamic that invigorated the medieval world view; but at the same time it spawned destructive forces and negative energy that continually threatened the social fabric, and the culture as a whole.
In medieval fashion, this class will attempt to span these contradictory opposites, and from that attempt chart the effect of both the transcendent and the eminently practical on life in the Middle Ages.
Texts
Hildegard of Bingen: Scivias (Classics of Western Spirituality) (Paperback)
# Paperback: 576 pages
# Publisher: Paulist Press (August 1990)
# ISBN-10: 0809131307
# ISBN-13: 978-0809131303
Meister Eckhart: The Essential Sermons, Commentaries, Treatises and Defense (Classics of Western Spirituality) (Paperback)
# Paperback: 384 pages
# Publisher: Paulist Press (January 1, 1981)
# ISBN-10: 0809123703
# ISBN-13: 978-0809123704
A Useful Medieval Studies Page:
http://medieval.ucdavis.edu/Roddy.htm
General Research Sites:
Internet Guide to Religion: Mysticism
Scholarly Resource Sites [David A. Salomlan]
The Bible in the Middle Ages
Research Sites: Hildegard
The Wiesbaden ("Giant") Codex (Hildegard of Bingen)
Hildegardis Bingesis, opera selecta (in Latin)
Two Songs by Abbess Hildegard von Bingen:
Latin and English
Reply to Elizabeth of
Schönau's Letters (below) (Latin and English)
Letter 1
Letter 2
The Life and Works of Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179)
Hildegard of Bingen, Visionary
Hildegard of Bingen,
Scivias, 1142-52: Illustrations
Hildegard of Bingen: Works: Hymn, and a reply to Guibert of Gembloux Letters (below); Illuminations
Letter 1, written in 1175
Letter 2, 14 August 1175
International Society of Hildegard von Bingen Studies
Research Sites: Eckhart
Research on Meister Eckhart
The Eckhart Society
Meister Eckhard
Subverting the ordo caritatis: Meister Eckhart's vision of love.
Ellen Chris Fanizzi, Boston College
Eckhart Bibliography
Jewish Mysticism:
Jewish Mysticism
by J. Abelson
[1913]
"Dreams" in the Jewish Virtual Library
"Revelation" in the Jewish Virtual Library
"Beatitude" in the Jewish Virtual Library
Buddhism:
Eckhart and Buddhism
Theological Introduction to Eckhart and Buddhism
Schedule
March 30 Introduction
April 1 The Ways of Knowledge
Reading: Scivias. Introduction, pp. 9-48.
6 True Visions
Reading: Scivias. Declaration, Book I, Visions 1-3, pp. 58-105
8 Soul and Body
Reading: Scivias. Book I, Visions 4-6, pp. 109-143
13 Redeemer and Redeemed
Reading: Scivias. Book II, Visions 1-3, pp. 149-185
15 Community
Reading: Scivias. Book II, Visions 4-5, pp. 189-234
20 Sacrifice
Reading: Scivias. Book II, Vision 6, pp. 237-289
22 The Devil, God, and Humanity
Reading: Scivias. Book II, Vision 7, Book III, Visions 1-2, pp. 293-339
27 The Tower of Virtue
Reading: Scivias. Book III, Visions 3-5, pp. 343-385
29 Walls and Pillars
Reading: Scivias. Book III, Visions 6-8, pp. 389-448
May 4 Towers and Humanity
Reading: Scivias. Book III, Visions 9-10, pp. 451-490
6 The End of Times
Reading: Scivias. Book III, Visions 11-13, pp. 493-536
11 Eckhart's Sermons, I
Reading: Meister Eckhart. Selected Sermons, pp. 177-196
13 Sermons, II
Reading: Meister Eckhart. Selected Sermons, pp. 197-208
18 Treatise on the Book of "Benedictus": Divine Consolation, I
Reading: Meister Eckhart. Treatises, pp. 209-227
20 Treatise on the Book of "Benedictus": Divine Consolation, II
Reading: Meister Eckhart. Treatises, pp. 228-239
25 Treatise on the Book of "Benedictus": Nobleman and Discernment, 1-11
Reading: Meister Eckhart. Treatises, pp. 240-261
27 Treatise on the Book of "Benedictus": Discernment, 12-22
Reading: Meister Eckhart, pp. 261-279
June 1 Treatise on the Book of "Benedictus": Discernment, 23, and Detachment
Reading: Meister Eckhart, pp. 280-294
3 Conclusion
Final: Wednesday, June 9, 6:00-8:00 PM
2 Discussion Schedule
Position Papers
Students in this class will be assigned to write three different sections
of treatises, in the manner of Meister Eckhart (pp. 209-294), or a Jewish theologian, or a Sufi
initiate.
You will be
responsible for a three-page treatises, written in
medieval style, on a mystical matter roughly congruent with the
subjects at that juncture in the course;
the choices for topics are as follows:
These assignments will provide you the opportunity to display your learning, cultural empathy, sensitivity, good judgment, and understanding.
Naturally, all of these exercises will be supported by both primary and secondary research material, the latter derived from such disciplines as theology, religious studies, cultural anthropology, and the other liberal arts. A generous application of qur'anic or biblical citations will be useful, for which see the useful Roddy Page for on-line help.
The treatises will be about a thousand words each, Times or Times Roman, twelve-point double-spaced, one-inch margins). These will be submitted electronically to the Instructor. The file name will be your last name and first initial, followed by a number corresponding to the assignment number:
Participation
The degree of participation depends, most importantly, on completing the reading assignments, which are extensive (often fifty pages per class) and occasionally difficult. Students are encouraged to ask questions, or, if they choose, to make appointments during office hours. Participation is not a matter of dominating class discussion, but rather in being able either to contribute an insight, or to articulate the precise nature of the confusion. I do take roll, because your presence is important to your learning; that presence in and of itself does not constitute participation, however. Missed discussions, for whatever reason, must be made up in or out of office hours, by appointment.
The Final
The final will consist of the analysis of a work of contemplative literature not covered in class; a typical sample will be handed out at the Conclusion of the course. Notes and the texts may be consulted at the final.
Graded Work, and Relative Weight
I will determine grades on the following basis: