ENGL 90226 - Language, Symbolism and Vision

Institution:

University of Notre Dame

Subject:

English

Description:

Our aim will be to study three issues which are absolutely central to medieval thought and culture from the end of the patristic period to the Renaisaance (and indeed also beyond these limits). The danger of excessive generality in such an approach will be avoided 1. by isolating a group of seminal texts from the last ancient or early medieval period for careful scrutiny (wherever possible, in English translation); 2. by treating these texts as conceptual nuclei for broader linguistic, hermeneutic, and psychological theories which were widely held and discussed. The texts will be drawn from Origen, Ambrose, Augustine, Jerome, Macrobius, Boethius, Dionysius the Areopagite, and Isadore of Seville. Although a major aim of the course is to introduce important writers to the students and to pursue historical and literary matters, we will also find time to reflect on philosophical questions raised by such a tradition. What is the relation between divine and human language? Why is it necessary to connect language and symbol through psychic activity? What is the relation between secular myth and sacred symbol?

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.nd.edu

Phone Number:

(574) 631-5000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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