| CODE | HPA1313 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | The Icon: History, Spirituality and Practice | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Church History, Patrology and Palaeochristian Archaeology | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit will be divided into three components. The first component (with Rev. Dr Farrugia) will trace the history and the theological developments of the importance of iconography in Christianity, with particular attention given to the iconoclast controversies of the 8th and 9th centuries. The second component (with Rev. Prof. Camilleri) will illustrate the spiritual and theological foundations of icon writing, usage and veneration. The third component (with Rev. Sultana) will consist of a practical hands-on experience of the creation of an icon to appraise the correct approach of the iconographer, following the historical guidelines of icon writing and symbology. Study-Unit Aims: - Define the various dimensions of icon creating; - Classify the historic development of the role of iconography in the faith; - Infer the spiritual dimension of the written icon. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Define the catechetical value behind the icon; - Locate the icon in its historical, theological and spiritual context; - Paraphrase the materials used in icon-writing and their relation to the four elements of creation. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Explain the meaning of symbols, colours, body gestures, materials and the architectural milieu of the icon; - Appraise the methodology involved in creating an icon, following the canons established by the Church; - Collaborate in the creation of new icons through interpretation of meaning and/or hands-on collaboration. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Evdokimov, Paul. The Art of the Icon. A Theology of Beauty. Oakwood, 1989. Supplementary Readings: - Baggley, John and Richard Temple. Doors of Perception: Icons and Their Spiritual Significance. St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1996. - Besançon, Alain. The Forbidden Image. An Intellectual History of Iconoclasm. The University of Chicago Press, 2000. - Giakalis, Ambrosios. Images of the Divine. The Theology of Icons in the Seventh Ecumenical Council. Revised Edition. Brill, 2005. - Spidik, Tomas and Marko Ivan Rupnik. La fede secondi le icone. Lipa SRL, 2000. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lectures, Practicum & Project | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Charlo Camilleri Jonathan Farrugia Peter Paul Sultana |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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