Summer 2014/Orvieto, Italy
SP500
Peace
SP500: SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS AND PRACTICES (4 Units: 120 hours). Richard Peace.
DESCRIPTION: Spiritual practices emerge out of spiritual traditions which, in turn, often emerge from the life and experience of spiritual pioneers. In this course we will explore the lives of various key figures drawn from the medieval and Catholic Reformation era, four of whom are from Umbria, Italy. Their stories will be set in the context of the medieval understanding of liturgy and spirituality. In particular, the tension between church-based spirituality (the Eucharist) and experiential spirituality (mystical experience) will be examined. These figures include Benedict of Nursia, Hildegard of Bingen, Francis of Assisi, Clare of Assisi, Catherine of Siena, Ignatius of Loyola, and Teresa of Ávila. Judy Peace will serve as guest lecturer focusing on the women mystics. Offered in Orvieto, Italy, the course will include trips to Assisi and Siena as well as exploration of the town of Orvieto, in particular its cathedral.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have (1) come to understand the core concepts of spirituality on the part of various key figures in the medieval and Catholic Reformation era set in their historical and theological contexts; (2) explored various spiritual practices from these individuals and the traditions they inspired (including praying the monastic hours); (3) visited Assisi, Siena, and Orvieto, Italy, and so developed a firsthand understanding of several of these traditions; and (4) learned how to lead others in various spiritual practices.
COURSE FORMAT: A mixture of lecture, discussion, small groups, engagement in spiritual practices, trips to various sites, and interactive dialogue. This course is taught in conjunction with TC519 Medieval Art and Theology, in which students must also be enrolled as either a credit student or an auditor.
REQUIRED READING: Read the following books:
Dreyer, E. A. Passionate Spirituality: Hildegard of Bingen and Hadewijch of Brahant. Paulist Press, 2005 ISBN: 978-0809143047, Pub. Price $16.05 [99 pp. assigned].
Harding, Catherine. Guide to the Cappella del Corporale of Orvieto Cathedral. Opera del Duomo di Orvieto, 2004, (Available only in Orvieto). [79 pp.].
Maas, Robin, and Gabriel O’Donnell. Spiritual Traditions for the Contemporary Church. Abingdon, 1990. ISBN: 978-0687392339, Pub. Price $33.00 [228 pp. assigned].
Schmit, Clayton, and Lauralee Farrer, Praying the Hours in Ordinary Life. Cascade Books, 2010. ISBN: 978-1608992782, Pub. Price $26.00 [use for the Daily Hours liturgy].
Course Reader (articles will be posted online at Moodle.com).
In addition, read 600 pages from the course reading list that includes the representative books listed below.
Lonsdale, David. Eyes to See, Ears to Hear: An Introduction to Ignatian Spirituality. Orbis Books, 2000. ISBN: 978-1570753367, Pub. Price $22.00 [240 pp.].
O’Driscoll, Mary, ed. Catherine of Siena: Passion for Truth—Compassion for Humanity. New City Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-1565482357, Pub. Price $13.95 [144 pp.].
Short, William, OFM. Poverty and Joy: The Franciscan Tradition. Orbis Books, 1999. ISBN: 978-1570752957, Pub. Price $18.00 [143 pp.].
Teresa of Avila. The Life of Saint Teresa of Avila by Herself. (various editions available)
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: It is expected that each student will read the materials and be prepared to participate in the classroom discussion, exercises, and field trips.
1. Complete the required reading (1000 pp.) (25%). Read the Maas & O’Donnell material prior to coming to Orvieto as background to medieval spirituality.
2. Participate in all the various experiences in this field-based course and write a personal reflection paper on the experience in its various aspects (6 pages) (25%).
3. Participate in the Praying the Hours exercise and write a personal reflection paper on that experience including a discussion of how this particular spiritual practice might be used in the contemporary church (3 pages) (10%)
4. Write a research paper focusing on a particular spiritual tradition or spiritual pioneer and the implications of this view of spirituality for the postmodern church (10 pp.) (40%).
PREREQUISITES: Participation in Summer Program in Orvieto, Italy and concurrent enrollment in TC519. Additional information may be obtained at the following link: http://www.brehmcenter.com/education/experiential_courses/
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets program requirement for MAT, MATM, MACL, MAIS (2010) or MA requirement in Foundational Spirituality (FSP, SP2, or SPIR).
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.