| CODE | LAS1074 | ||||||||
| TITLE | The rise of the Christian Hero | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | I - Introductory Level | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Centre for the Liberal Arts and Sciences | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit is intended for anyone interested in ancient writings dealing with saints (hagiography). The role of the saint as an intermediary between the divine and the human substituted that of the heroes (or demi-gods) of mythology. The study-unit will start with a description of the hero in classical mythology and then moving on to explore how this role was “christianized”. The introductory lectures will inlude some hours on the context whcih created these christian heroes, namely the persecutions organized by the Roman Empire. Eventually some hagiographical texts will be analayzed to bring out the characteristics sought in martyrs to promote them to heroes. An analysis of different forms of hagiographic texts will also be included, bringing out the differences between acts, passions and legends. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - define the concept of ‘hero’ in literature (classical and Christian); - examine the common factors present in heroes of any culture, and eventually to outline the different characteristics present in these; - develop intellectual skill in reading and interpreting Christian hagiographical texts coming from the 2nd to the 6th century. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - compare classical and Christian heroes; - value the different types of texts dealing with saints; - estimate the contribution devotion and fantasy gave in the formation of this kind of literature and the long-lasting cult that followed. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Supplementary Readings: - Delehaye, Hippolyte. The Legends of the Saints, translated by Donald Attwater (New York: Fordham University Press, 1962). - Rigo Antonio (ed.), Byzantine Hagiography. Texts, Themes & Projects (Turnhout: Brepols 2018). - Head Thomas. Hagiography and the Cult of Saints. The Diocese of Orléans, 800-1200 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990). |
||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
|
||||||||
| LECTURER/S | Jonathan Farrugia |
||||||||
|
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 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
|||||||||