Webpage: http://www.cis.vt.edu/fac/pryds/default.html
Office Hours: Monday 9:30-10:30
and by appointment

Mysticism in the Middle Ages and Renaissance
HIST 411
Syllabus
 

This course explores the nature of mysticism and gender differences in mystical experiences within the Christian traditions in the Middle Ages and Renaissance (c. 250-1650).  Special attention will be given to the kinds of religious and political authority mystics gained because of their special spiritual status.  When women experienced this special form of authority based on their mystical experiences, they often took up unprecedented leadership roles.  We will explore why this was true for female mystics more than their male counterparts.  Opportunities will be given for individuals to explore on their own modern examples of mystical leaders, as well as mystics within the Islamic and Judaic traditions.

Required Reading:
Caroline Bynum, Holy Feast, Holy Fast: The Spiritual Significance of Food to Medieval Women
 Bernard McGinn, The Flowering of Mysticism
Richard Woods, Mysticism and Prophecy. The Dominican Tradition
Ted Harrison, Stigmata. A Medieval Mystery in a Modern Age (ON RESERVE)
 Carl Volz, The Medieval Church. From the Dawn of the Middle ages to the Eve of the Reformation
 
As a general policy, I do not accept late assignments without a doctor's notice of illness or a letter from the Dean of Students documenting a serious problem.  You MUST contact me if you are going to turn an assignment in late.  Without prior notification, I will not accept any late work.

My grading policy is posted on my web site, where you will also find internet reading assignments.
 
Students will be evaluated on the following.  A total of 700 points is possible:
Exams (200pts.):  two midterm essay exams (two x 100 pts)
Oral Contributions in Class (100 pts): regular class participation (40 pts) and one formal presentation based on your research project (60pts)
Writing Assignments (400 pts) one term paper or four biographical essays (200 pts.) and short writing assignments including Encyclopedia Project (100 pts.) and one film review (100 points)

The core of the course grade is the studentís own research project(s), focussed on an individual mystic or a group of mystics.  There is no final exam.

Important Dates:
Exams:
Friday, Feb. 18 Midterm # 1
Friday, April 14 Midterm # 2

Paper Deadlines:
April 19 Encyclopedia Due in Class

Biographical Essays are due according to the following Schedule.  All papers are due during class and no late papers will be accepted!
Wednesday, Feb. 9 Biographical Essay #1
Wednesday, March 22 Biographical Essay #2
Wednesday, April 12 Biographical Essay #3
Wednesday, May 3 Biographical Essay #4

OR

Wednesday, May 3 Term paper due in class, absolutely no late papers accepted

Film Review Due Wednesday, March 1

PART ONE: The Historical Setting of Mysticism

Jan. 19, 21, 24:
What is Mysticism? Are mystics insane or divinely inspired (or both?)
Required Reading: Ted Harrison, Stigmata (complete book on reserve)
 Discussion on Monday, Jan 24

Jan. 26, 28:
Desert Ascetics and Early Christian Mysticism
Required Reading: Volz, ch.1; Bynum, ch. 2

Feb. 2:
Mystics and the Institutionalized Church: A Conflict of Authority?
Required Reading: Volz, ch. 4-7
CLASS DOES NOT MEET ON FRIDAY, FEB. 4
 
 

Feb. 7, 9:
Biographical Essay #1 Due in Class on Wednesday Feb. 9
The Rise of the Mendicants. Franciscan and Dominican Spirituality
Thomas Aquinas; Meister Eckhart
Required Reading: Woods, Mysticism and Prophecy (entire book)
 

Feb. 11, 14, 16: Francis and Clare
Required Reading: McGinn, Flowering of Mysticism, 41-151.

Feb. 18 Midterm #1

Feb. 21, 23
and Feb. 28, Mar. 1
Women Mystics and Food: Anorexia?
Required Reading: Bynum, Holy Feast, Holy Fast

NO CLASS on FRIDAY FEBRUARY 25 AND FRIDAY, MARCH 3

Spring Break: March 13, 15, 17

Mar. 20, 22, 24, 27:
Biographical Essay #2 Due in Class March 22

Mystics as Preachers: Umiltà of Faenza, Rose of Viterbo, and Hildegard of Bingen,
Required Reading: Pryds Translation of Rose of Viterbo (to be distributed)

March 29, 31:
Mystics as Spiritual Directors:
Angela of Foligno
Required Reading: McGinn, 153-98

April 3, 5, 7:
Mystics as Political Pawns: Marguerite Porete and Joan of Arc
On Joan of Arc:
http://www.millersv.edu/~english/homepage/duncan/medfem/joan.html
On Marguerite:
http://www.millersv.edu/~english/homepage/duncan/medfem/porete1.html
 

April 10, 12:
Mysticism and Nationalism: Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe

Wednesday, April 12 Biographical Essay #3

Friday, April 14 Midterm #2
 

April 17, 19:
Two Classic Mystics of the 14th century: Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe
Required reading:
Brief Biography of  Kempe: http://www.millersv.edu/~english/homepage/duncan/medfem/kempe1.html
Selections from http://ccel.wheaton.edu/julian/revelations/
 
Encyclopedia Due in Class, April 19

No Class on Good Friday, April 21 and on Easter Monday, April 24

April , 26, 28, May 1, 3:
Oral Presentations

May 3 Last Day of Class. Term papers/Biog. Essay #4 due in class. No Exceptions.