Universität Wien

070040 GR Guided Reading (2016S)

Saints and their biographers: Medieval hagiography and its historical value

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 7 - Geschichte
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: German

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Tuesday 01.03. 14:00 - 15:30 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Tuesday 08.03. 14:00 - 15:30 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Tuesday 15.03. 14:00 - 15:30 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Tuesday 05.04. 14:00 - 15:30 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Tuesday 12.04. 14:00 - 15:30 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Tuesday 19.04. 14:00 - 15:30 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Tuesday 26.04. 14:00 - 15:30 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Tuesday 03.05. 14:00 - 15:30 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Tuesday 10.05. 14:00 - 15:30 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Tuesday 24.05. 14:00 - 15:30 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Tuesday 31.05. 14:00 - 15:30 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Tuesday 07.06. 14:00 - 15:30 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Tuesday 14.06. 14:00 - 15:30 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Tuesday 21.06. 14:00 - 15:30 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)
  • Tuesday 28.06. 14:00 - 15:30 (ehem. Hörsaal 45 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 8)

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

At the beginning of his account of the life of St Martin of Tours Sulpicius Severus states that he would rather be silent than tell untruths. In reality, medieval hagiography always occupied a position between historiography and fiction and generally shines more light on the concerns of the author than on those of the saint.

The aim of this Guided Reading module is to provide an overview of the shifting value of hagiography as a historical source and to familiarise students with some of the fundamental source-texts. After an introduction to the theoretical underpinnings of the genre there will follow an overview of its chronological development, focussing on the Lives of such sub-groups as martyrs, confessors and missionaries. Particular attention will be paid to the role of important early works as the template for later saints' Lives. The ubiquity of hagiographical topoi and the role and intentions of the author will be discussed in this context. The historical value of hagiographical texts will thereby remain the prime focus of discussion. The manner in which hagiographical works can reveal the concerns of their authors and also cast light on some aspects of medieval society otherwise neglected in contemporary source-types will be illustrated through the reading of selected primary sources.

Assessment and permitted materials

Regular attendance and participation in discussion. Reading. Short written assignments.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Examination topics

Reading list

Association in the course directory

BA Geschichte: Guided Reading zu Mittelalter (4 ECTS) | BA UF Geschichte, Sozialkunde & Politische Bildung: Guided Reading Historisch-Kulturwissenschaftliche Europaforschung (4 ECTS) Diplom UF Geschichte, Sozialkunde & Politische Bildung: GR Historisch-Kulturwissenschaftliche Europaforschung (4 ECTS) |

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:30