OVERVIEW

Already a unicum by definition, ancient Christian literature is characterised not only by the language used but also by the contents: ‘Christian’ as an expression of a supranational religion, and ‘ancient’ because of its introduction in the classical period. Students will be guided in the reading of texts from some Christian authors to understand the new expressive code in a constant weaving with the biblical word. Students must have an inclination for analysis of historical and literary phenomena. 

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

— acquisition of the correct methodology to understand the discipline; - understanding religious identity in christian literature and its functional characteristics; - knowledge of literary developments in relation to the history of christianity and the church; - understanding a literary text between classical tradition and biblical symbology; - knowledge of the influence of the christian exegesis on sacred art; - capacity to analyse christian roots in medieval and European literature. 

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures.

Use of aulaweb.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Inquietum est cor nostrum: the language of interiority in Augustine’s Confessions.

Evolution and development of the ‘autobiographical’ genre between classical legacy and biblical code.

Many medieval Christian and western mystique paths began in Hippo. Augustine’s style was the product of that cultural bipolarity - typical of all christian authors - between classical training and the “grand biblical code”. The psalms, Augustine’s favourite book, are the framework of Confessions: their rhythm, in citations as well as in furtive allusions, produced a sort of musical metamorphosis in the style of Confessions.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SANDRA ISETTA (President)

MARIA ROSARIA PUGLIARELLO

LESSONS

Class schedule

ANCIENT CHRISTIAN LITERATURE

EXAMS

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Assessment of acquisition of fundamental notions of ancient christian literature.

Assessment of understanding of specific characteristics of Augustine’s writing.

Exam schedule