HNR 250
JUDEO-CHRISTIAN & MEDIEVAL THOUGHT

Overview

This course invites participants to explore Judeo-Christian and Medieval thought as that is presented in the Bible, and in the some of the greatest writers of the Medieval Period. By critically assessing the concepts and values that contribute to our cultural heritage, we will strive to question and understand who we are today. As the course progresses, we will begin to recognize the interrelationships and ramifications of pivotal ideas within the Medieval era, and between it and Greco-Roman thought.
 

 Course Requirements

     All assigned readings are to be completed before each seminar meeting. Participants should read closely to understand the author's fundamental position, to interpret the author's principal ideas, to form a critical judgment, and to formulate questions and observations for group discussion. The required HSP journal (see handbook) provides a vehicle for this process. (Some Guidelines about a Great Books discussion, by Mortimer Adler.)  Here are some helpful points about good thought that will come in handy.

    Each seminar will be led by two student presenters, who will open the meeting with a brief review of key ideas from the assigned reading (including indicating any connections with other readings read in the program) and then initiate discussion with a thought-provoking question. (Go to guidelines for presenters.  Also some suggestions about initiating discussion.) Participants are expected to attend all seminars, to submit to the presenters at least two written questions or problems for discussion, and to respond respectfully to the ideas presented by others (see discussion guidelines in the handbook).

    Two five-page critical essays (see handbook for guidelines) are to be submitted on or before the due dates listed on the schedule. Revisions are accepted through one week prior to the next deadline for written work and must be accompanied by the first draft with my comments. Each student will also complete and present a final project based on some aspect of the course content. The project, to be chosen by midterm, must be approved by the director.  [Some thoughts on submitting your proposal for a final project.]
 

Grading

Grades will be determined as follows. Essays:                                30%
Journal:                               10%
Final Project:                       20%
Seminar Participation:        40%

FALL 1998 SCHEDULE

Aug 24: Introduction to Course

Aug 30: Genesis, Exodus

Sept 7: Labor Day -- No Class meeting

Sept 14: 1 Samuel; 2 Samuel; 1 Kings, 1-2:11

Sept 21: Job  (Essay #1 due for peer editing in class)

Sept 28: Matthew and John (Essay #1 due)

Oct 5: Epistle to the Romans; First and Second Epistles to the Corinthians

Fall Midsemester Break

Oct 19: Augustine's Confessions

Oct 26: Beowulf (Final Project Proposals Due)

Nov 2: St. Thomas Aquinas, Compendium of Theology, Chapters 1-69, 185-212. (Essay #2 due for peer editings in class)

Nov 9: Dante, Inferno and Purgatorio  (Essay #2 Due)

Nov 16: Dante, Paradiso

Nov 23: Chaucer, Canterbury Tales. General Prologue; The Knight's Tale; The Miller's Prologue and Tale; the Reeve's Prologue and Tale; The Nun's Priest's Prologue, Tale, and Epilogue; the Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale. 

Nov 30: Malory, Le Morte D'Arthur (selections)

Dec 7: Erasmus and Luther, Discourse on Free Will  (Journals Due)

Dec 14: Presentation of Final Projects, Guad Lounge. Friends and family members are welcome