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

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide students with the ability to:

- acquire the correct methodological approach for understanding the discipline;

- understand the religious identity of Christian literature and its functional character;

- to know the literary developments in relation to the history of Christianity and of the Church;

- read and understand a literary text between classical tradition and biblical symbolism;

- acquire knowledge of the influence of Christian exegesis on sacred art;

 - to achieve the ability to analyze Christian roots in medieval and European literature.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures.

Use of aulaweb.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

«... I saw, and here a door was opened in the sky ...» (John, Apocalypse, 4, 1).

Beyond the 'threshold' of the afterlife in the revelation to John.

The Apocalypse, through its visionary style, raises the veil on the mysteries of the invisible, in the representation of the afterlife. It is a work of revelation, the revelation that God made to his servant John on future events that see a cosmic drama: God's goodness on the world and the opposition of adverse forces, a drama that will end with the final triumph of the good. Although in an obscure and enigmatic form (the interpretation of the Apocalypse is still the subject of discussion), the Author of the Apocalypse offers an overview of the eschatological themes (last, of the end) most common in the Christian tradition and from which the following literature draws to describe the afterlife.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

TESTI/BIBLIOGRAFIA

G. RAVASI, Apocalisse, Piemme 2004.

C. DOGLIO, Apocalisse, introduzione, traduzione e commento, Milano, Edizioni Paoline, 2012.

S. ISETTA (a cura di), Apocalisse. Il senso della fine, Genova, Erredì Grafiche, 2012.

During the lessons will be made available on the aulaweb critical edition texts and supplementary bibliographic indications.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SANDRA ISETTA (President)

MARIA ROSARIA PUGLIARELLO

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

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