Visions, Dreams, Nightmares: The Sacred and Profane in Italy from Medieval to Modern Times
FIST 122
Spring 2015
| Section:
01
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This course examines one of most controversial topics in both premodern and modern Italy, the subject of divine visions, namely, visions of or inspired by God. From the Middle Ages to today, Italian writers, artists, and theologians have hotly debated three related questions: (1) Does God exist? (2) Can God be known? and (3) If so, how should one represent the divine? We will explore various responses to these questions, ranging from those of devout mystics to those of skeptical atheists. In addition, reflecting on the divine will also foreground debate about many key issues underlying human existence: the purpose and limits of art, the relationship between the individual and society, the nature of knowledge and gender roles, and the value of sacred versus mundane experience. In this course, students will also examine some examples of Italian visionary art from the origins of Italian literature to modern film. Premodern and modern debate about the veracity, purpose, and sources of visionary-mystical experience will be addressed. Texts and films by Angela of Foligno, Catherine of Siena, Augustine, Dante, Boccaccio, Petrarch, Machiavelli, Freud, Rossellini, Pasolini, and Olmi. Texts will be read in English, and Italian-language films will be viewed with subtitles. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA RLAN |
| Course Format: Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (ITST) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 75% - 89% |
| SECTION 01 | | Special Attributes: FYS |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Selections from:
Cicero, DREAM OF SCIPIO; SONG OF SONGS; REVELATIONS
Pasolini, GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Dante, PARADISO
Boccaccio, DECAMERON and CORBACCIO
Petrarch, SECRETUM
Machiavelli, BELFAGOR
Pseudo-Dionysius, MYSTICAL THEOLOGY
Augustine, ON CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE
Catherine of Siena, LETTERS
Angela of Foligno, THE BOOK
Rossellini, FRANCESCO, GIULLARE DI DIO and L'AMORE
Pasolini, TEOREMA and HAWKS AND SPARROWS
Olmi, CENTOCHIODI
Freud, ON DREAMS and FIVE LECTURES ON PSYCHOANALYSIS
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Examinations and Assignments:
3-4 papers to total 20 pages of writing, and student presentations. |
| Instructor(s): Kriesel,James Christopher Times: .M.W... 02:40PM-04:00PM; Location: FISK116; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: X | JR major: X | | |
| Seats Available: 4 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: X | JR non-major: X | SO: X | FR: 15 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 1 | 1st Ranked: 1 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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