HISTORY OF ANCIENT CHRISTIANITY
Academic Year 2023/2024 - Teacher:
Rossana BARCELLONA
Expected Learning Outcomes
The course aims to provide:
1) a knowledge of advanced
issues and problems of the discipline on the historical (periodization) and
historiographical (methods) level.
2) the necessary tools to
apply methodologies proper to the discipline, to argue competently on the
topics and questions dealt with.
3) tools for building
independent judgement, capacity for critical analysis, synthesis of new ideas,
to be used as possible keys to tackle case studies on phenomena of early
Christianity.
4) a method for interpreting
acquired data, exercising the ability to elaborate possible theses and
communicate with technical language and competence the contents of the
discipline.
5) indications for acquiring
specialist knowledge independently, using the research and working tools
provided during the course.
Course Structure
The course will be mainly based on lectures, giving
space to moments of discussion and debate animated by students. The lectures
will be integrated by slides and other useful tools to improve the
understanding of the proposed topics.
The
materials used (powerpoints, papers, sources) will be made available on STUDIUM.Attendance of Lessons
Attendance is not compulsory
Detailed Course Content
Introduction to the History of the Early Christianity with particular
attention to the following topics: Jesus of Nazareth – Christianity
/Christianities - The Canon and the Sacred Scriptures - Pagans and Christians -
Christian Emperors. Canonical gospels and apocryphal gospels.
Textbook Information
Module A (3 ECTS):
· Storia del cristianesimo. I.
L’età antica (secoli I-VII), a
cura di E. Prinzivalli, Carocci, Roma 2015: capp. 1-2-3-4 (pp. 15-158) - 6-7-8
(pp. 185-280).
Module B (3 ECTS):
· C. Gianotto, I Vangeli apocrifi. Un’altra immagine di Gesù, il Mulino,
Bologna 2009, 129 pp.
- Giannarelli E., Vangeli Apocrifi. Testi letterari, devozionali
e non solo: i Vangeli dell'infanzia, in A. Lenzuni (a cura), Apocrifi del Nuovo Testamento,
Edizioni Dehoniane, Bologna 2004, pp. 29-63.
- R. Barcellona, Nascite, infanzie e altri miracoli. Letture
apocrife tra Oriente e Occidente. Armarium 19, Rubbettino 2023, pp. 1-144.
Please remember that in compliance with art 171
L22.04.1941, n. 633 and its amendments, it is illegal to copy entire books or
journals, only 15% of their content can be copied.
For further information on sanctions and regulations
concerning photocopying please refer to the regulations on copyright (Linee
Guida sulla Gestione dei Diritti d’Autore) provided by AIDRO - Associazione
Italiana per i Diritti di Riproduzione delle opere dell’ingegno (the Italian
Association on Copyright).
All
the books listed in the programs can be consulted in the Library.Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Coursework test on Module A (open to attending and non-attending students of the current year): written questionnaire or, based on the number of students, seminar activity on relevant topics. The correction will be subject to discussion and the results will be announced during class or reception hours. The grade will be expressed in thirtieths and will remain valid for one calendar year. The in-progress test is a means of verifying the degree of learning achieved but especially the effectiveness of the study method adopted. Therefore, the in-progress tests will be considered in setting the final grade at the students' discretion.
Final oral test on module B: (on modules A and B for those who did not take the in itinere test).
For the final grade on the exam, the in itinere test will be taken into account (in agreement with the student) proportionally, but not strictly mathematically. In the evaluation of the oral examination, mastery of historiographical issues, lexical property, and critical and argumentative ability will be taken into account in addition to knowledge of the fundamental content.
