Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:05
This course explores the experience of Christians living on the edge, in the desert, from the fourth century onwards. Drawing upon the imagery of the desert in the Old Testament, Christians in the early centuries lived in the world ‘as in a desert,’ with the spiritual athletes, the martyrs, fighting the beasts in the arena. With the rise of the Christian empire in the fourth century, many withdrew to the desert, where warfare continued, this time against the demons often visualized as beasts.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session | Second Sub Session | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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This course explores the experience of Christians living on the edge, in the desert, from the fourth century onwards. Drawing upon the imagery of the desert in the Old Testament, Christians in the early centuries lived in the world ‘as in a desert,’ with the spiritual athletes, the martyrs, fighting the beasts in the arena. With the rise of the Christian empire in the fourth century, many withdrew to the desert, where warfare continued, this time against the demons often visualized as beasts. This course will examine the different ways in which ‘the desert’ was imagined through the ages, as the place of spiritual warfare and paradise regained. We will examine the various ways in which this spiritual warfare was enacted, the different ways in which ‘demons’ were understood, whether as malicious agents or hostile thoughts and temptations, and the diverse forms of sanctity that such struggles produced, from venerable monastics to stylites and cross-dressing female ascetics. The course will focus on primary texts, beginning with the Life of St Anthony and continuing with a variety of texts from different periods and contexts, together with consideration of the way in which these figures have appeared in subsequent literary and visual cultures. It will be delivered by way of lectures and seminars.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
In week 5 of teaching. Feedback will be provided electronically in week 8 of teaching. |
Word Count | 1500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Reflect on their understanding of historical individuals and movements and their lasting importance |
| Conceptual | Apply | Understand and apply different historical methodologies. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Identify and use different kinds of primary sources. |
| Factual | Understand | Knowledge and a deepened understanding of ascetic Christian spirituality |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 60 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
In week 12 of teaching. Feedback will be provided electronically. |
Word Count | 2500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Reflect on their understanding of historical individuals and movements and their lasting importance |
| Conceptual | Apply | Understand and apply different historical methodologies. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Identify and use different kinds of primary sources. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Reflect on the differences between today’s issues and historical contributions. |
| Factual | Understand | Knowledge and a deepened understanding of ascetic Christian spirituality |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Feedback will be provided electronically. |
Word Count | 2000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Factual | Understand | Knowledge and a deepened understanding of ascetic Christian spirituality |
| Conceptual | Analyse | Reflect on their understanding of historical individuals and movements and their lasting importance |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Reflect on the differences between today’s issues and historical contributions. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Identify and use different kinds of primary sources. |
| Conceptual | Apply | Understand and apply different historical methodologies. |
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