Questions of Patristics II

Teacher(s)

Pauliat Marie;

Language

French

Main themes

These objectives will be achieved after an analysis of a specific question about various testimonies of ancient Christian literature (literary, doctrinal and theological aspects).
The analysed texts will be situated in their historical and theological contexts.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	carry out personal research on a specific theological or literary question about ancient christian literature (Greek and/or latin) ;
2	read critically ancient theological sources ;
3	use the main tools in the field.

Content

Patristic preaching: forms and issues
The best-known patristic texts are theological treatises. Yet these were read by only a tiny minority of educated readers. Most Christians discovered and deepened their faith through the bishops' sermons, Sunday after Sunday, even day after day. In these sermons, Scripture is explained in relation to the concrete life and concerns of the audience; each one reflects a particular atmosphere, depending on historical events, polemical contexts, and liturgical feasts. These texts are extremely rich, and research is currently rediscovering them.
In this course, we will discover in French translation the main preachers (Latin, Greek and Syriac), analyze some of the best-known - and most beautiful ? - sermons (Cyril of Jerusalem’s Mystagogic Lectures, Augustine's Tractatus on the First Epistle of John...), and will also address the complex issues surrounding the transmission of these texts, their rhetorical form and the theological background underpinning the Fathers' homiletical practice.
The aim is twofold: on the one hand, understanding the many scientific questions raised by patristic sermons, to be able to approach them with thoroughness; on the other, enjoying the beauty and theological density of these largely unknown texts.

Teaching methods

For this course on a little-known topic, the teaching method is based on a combination of presentations by the teacher and active pedagogy.
Classes will alternate between:
    -classroom presentations by the teacher, illustrated by slides;
    -in-class question-and-answer sessions;
    -analysis of patristic texts (available in advance and read before each class).
At the end of each session, the teacher provides students with a reading program and/or exercises (individually or in sub-groups) to familiarize them with the texts and the main working tools.

Evaluation methods

To be chosen by the student
    -oral exam on the material covered in the course
    -writing of a 10-page paper, the details and subject of which are specified at the beginning of the course. The student's ability to apply the methodological and descriptive approaches developed in the course will be assessed.

Bibliography

Voir le site Moodle

Teaching materials

• Portefeuille de textes accessible sur Moodle

Faculty or entity

> TEBI