99004 - History and Forms of Christian Mysticims (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students have an advanced understanding of the relevance of a multidisciplinary approach to the analysis of Christian mystical traditions. They are able to analyze religious phenomena through interdisciplinary approaches. The learn how to apply methods of research to address the study of Christian mystical traditions.They are capable to apply the methods of research to issues related to Christian mystical traditions and are aware of the context of cultural, linguistic and religious pluralism.

Course contents

Christian Mysticism Between the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period
This course aims to give an account of Christian mystical traditions both in their historical and literary development and by addressing the problem of a definition of mysticism as such. In particular, texts and themes from the medieval and early modern periods will be explored, first addressing the thought of foundational authors for the Western tradition such as Augustine of Hippo, Gregory the Great and Bernard of Clairvaux. Then, specific case-studies will be tackled, including those concerning: the negative theology of Pseudo-Dionysius the Aeropagite, the love treatises of William of Saint-Thierry and Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, the "violent charity" of Richard of St. Victor, the poetry of Iacopone of Todi, Italian women mystical writers (such as Angela of Foligno, Catherine of Siena, the Bolognese Caterina Vigri and Maria Maddalena de' Pazzi), German mysticism from Hildegard of Bingen to Meister Eckhart. The approach to mysticism of a late 15th-century thinker such as Giovanni Pico della Mirandola will conclude the course.

Readings/Bibliography

Primary Sources

La mistica cristiana. Progetto editoriale di Francesco Zambon. Volume primo: mistica tardogreca e bizantina, sirica, armena, latina e italiana medievale, a cura di M. Rizzi, S. Chialà, B. Levon Zekiyan, e F. Zambon, Milano, Mondadori, 2020.

La mistica cristiana. Progetto editoriale di Francesco Zambon. Volume secondo: mistica tedesca e brabantina, francese, italiana moderna, a cura di V. Cirlot, A. Vega, B. Papàsogli, M. Catto, e G. Mongini, Milano, Mondadori, 2021.

Trattati d'amore cristiani del XII secolo. Volume I, a cura di F. Zambon, Milano, Fondazione Valla-Mondadori, 2007.

Trattati d'amore cristiani del XII secolo. Volume II, a cura di F. Zambon, Milano, Fondazione Valla-Mondadori, 2008.

Scrittrici mistiche italiane, a cura di G. Pozzi e C. Leonardi, Genova-Milano, Marietti 1820, 2004 (I ed. 1988).

Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, Discorso sulla dignità dell'uomo, a cura di F. Bausi, Parma, Fondazione Bembo-Ugo Guanda, 2014.

 

P.S.: As far as critical literature is concerned, from the above-mentioned volumes the following readings are suggested: Francesco Zambon's 'Introduzione generale' (pp. IX-LXXII) to the first volume of Mistica cristiana to which Zambon's own introduction to the section on medieval Latin and Italian mysticism (pp. 901-1020) will be added. Of the first volume of the Trattati d'amore cristiani del XII secolo, Francesco Zambon's introduction entitled 'Il problema dell'amore nel pensiero cristiano del XII secolo' is suggested (pp. IX-XCIII). From the Scrittrici mistiche italiane, the introductions by Giovanni Pozzi ('L'alfabeto delle sante', pp. 21-42) and Claudio Leonardi ('La santità delle donne', pp. 43-59) are worth reading. In relation to the specific cases discussed, on Iacopone da Todi one can read Franco Suitner's study, Iacopone da Todi. Poesia, mistica, rivolta nell'Italia del medioevo, Firenze, Le Lettere, 2023; on Hildegard of Bingen the volume by Michela Pereira, Hildegard of Bingen. Maestra di sapienza nel suo tempo e oggi, Verona, Gabrielli, 2017; on Pico della Mirandola the monograph by Pier Cesare Bori, Pluralità delle vie. Alle origini del Discorso sulla dignità umana di Pico della Mirandola, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2000.

N.B.: Primary texts that will be analyzed during the course will be indicated in class, as well as the exam syllabus for attending and non-attending students.

Teaching methods

Lecture; historical-critical analysis of primary sources. Attendance at lectures is not compulsory, but, undoubtedly, it will help to better assimilate the content that will later be tested.

Assessment methods

Please note that, only students attending at least 75% of the lectures are considered to be attending. That said, class attendance does not affect the exam except for differences in the readings (see Texts/Bibliography section).
The examination will consist of an oral test, based on reading and commenting on the sources and critical literature, and cannot be divided into two successive parts. Both the ability to read texts (in Italian translation) and specific knowledge of the history of Christian mysticism will be assessed. Students will be asked to prove mastery of specific vocabulary and knowledge of diachronic data (dates and historical events).
Below is an example of possible questions (should be understood as a sample of a much broader spectrum of questions): "Read and comment on the following passage", "who was Maria Magdalena de' Pazzi?", "analyze the following poem by Jacopone da Todi", "what are the main characteristics of Christian mysticism in the Middle Ages?".
No books or notes are allowed during the test.
The questioning will take place following the order of registration in the Almaesami application lists.

 

Grading Scale.

Excellent (grades 30 and 30L): achievement of organic view of the topics proposed during lectures and critical use demonstrating mastery of content and technical vocabulary.

Average assessment (grades 25 to 29): mnemonic knowledge and not entirely accurate use of technical vocabulary.

Sufficient assessment (grades 18 to 24): minimal knowledge of topics covered (dates and names), without serious errors.

Insufficient: lack of the minimum requirements (i.e., sufficient assessment).

 

Teaching tools

Slides and and notes from lectures.

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Borghesi