Study Abroad in Rome: Course Listing

Fall 2009

Course #	Course Name	Instructor	UST Equivalent
TE 2375	Spiritual Theology	Fr. Paul Murray, O.P.	THEO 300-level
CATH-UST	Christian Art and Architecture	Dr. Liz Lev	CATH Aesthetic
CATH-UST	Europe and the Church: 1789 to the Present	Fr. Michael J. Keating	CATH Historical
TE 2543*	Introduction to Patristic Teaching	Fr. Edmond Ditton, O.P.	THEO 200-level
FE 1022*	Modern Philosophy	TBA	PHIL 204
	Conversational Italian		N/A (Pass/Fail)

*Students will typically select either Patristic Teaching or Modern Philosophy.

Spring 2010

Course #	Course Name	Instructor	UST Equivalent
sP 2733	Poets and Mystics of the Twentieth Century	Fr. Paul Murray, O.P.	TBA
CATH-UST	Church, Culture, and the Biomedical Revolution	Dr. Paul Wojda	TBA
CATH-UST	Christian Art and Architecture	Dr. Liz Lev	CATH Aesthetic
TE 1368*	Fundamental Moral Theology	Fr. Wojciech Giertych, O.P.	TBA
FE 2016*	Medieval Philosophy	Fr. Walter Senner, O.P.	PHIL 202
	Conversational Italian		N/A (Pass/Fail)

*Students will typically select either Moral Theology or Medieval Philosophy.

Course Descriptions

Christian Art and Architecture
This class proposes to look at the evolution of Christian art in the city of Rome from its earliest manifestations and justifications to its highest pinnacle of expression, the Italian Renaissance. As pilgrimage center par excellence and home to the See of Peter, the transformations in art in the Eternal City form a special lens through which we can understand the history, developments and ideals of the Christian faith. Through art and architecture we will see both the aesthetic changes wrought by the vicissitudes in Roman society; for instance the legalization and progressive Christianization of Rome, iconoclasm and the struggles with the Holy Roman emperors, as well as an inherent sense of continuity and identity. As part of our studies, we will learn artistic techniques from the well known arts of fresco, mosaic and sculpture, to lesser known types such as Cosmatesque pavement and various kinds of inlay.

Comparison with Ancient Roman temple construction and several other religious structures such as early synagogues and Mithrea will allow us to examine the considerations that influenced the first Christian basilicas but also single out the unique style of these earliest sacred structures.  As we proceed through the centuries, a periodic glimpse North to Carolingian or Gothic buildings or East to Byzantine art, will illustrate how Rome maintains its own distinctive character.

Students will also examine the changing emphasis on ornamental or narrative compositions in light of the intended effect on the varied and heterogeneous body of viewers. Close analysis of questions regarding topographical significance, liturgical function and private vs. public patronage will round out our formal analysis of the works of art. Finally, we will also touch on the rudiments of iconography, studying the meaning of images and how the representations adapt and transform over the centuries as the pastoral needs of the faithful change.

Church, Culture and the Biomedical Revolution
What difference does Catholic faith make to the asking and answering of the questions—moral, philosophical, political—raised by contemporary research in the life sciences and medical practice? This course will identify and evaluate the origins, development, and contemporary state of Catholic contributions—both Magisterial and theological—to the current global debate over such topics as embryo research, artificial reproductive technologies, cloning, genetic therapy and enhancement, organ replacement, life-prolonging technologies, euthanasia, and physician assisted suicide. Of primary concern will be the interpretation of official Catholic interventions in contemporary bioethical debate, both as a means for considering specific questions related to the relationship between faith and reason as well as more general questions regarding the nature of the Church’s engagement with culture. Students will be introduced to the various curial departments (e.g., Pontifical Academies of Life and Science) and to individuals directing and/or involved in the Church’s involvement in bioethical debate.

Europe and the Church, 1789 to the Present
It is hard to overestimate the impact of the striking changes that have occurred in the world during the last two hundred years, changes that have had their focal point in European civilization. These have also been years of great moment for the Catholic Church. This course aims both at dealing with key people, events and developments in the Church in its relation to Europe since the French Revolution, and at the same time investigating what it means to do history and to do history as Catholics. We will pay particular attention to the historical vision of Christopher Dawson, and will read mostly from primary sources. During our Rome semester we will also take advantage of our location to examine in some detail the important question of Italian unification and its impact on the Papal States.

Poets and Mystics of the 20th Century
Apart from reflecting, in general, on the relationship between poetry and mysticism, the course will focus attention on certain remarkable contemplatives of the 20th century, authors such as T.S. Eliot, Rabindranath Tagore, Simone Weil, R.S. Thomas, Charles Péguy and Thomas Merton.