franciscan sources 3
Franciscan Sources III
Module Code: 437FFSO3 Credits: 10 Contact Hours: 30 Level: 4 Lecturer: Paula Pearce SFO Paula Pearce SFO
Syllabus
Students will read the unofficial sources for the life of St Francis and develop skills of approaching medieval texts critically. The module will explore the significance of these texts through a study of the historical context out of which they emerged.
Students will examine the writings of Francis that were the source of tension within the order, consider why various unofficial writings were composed and reflect on the growing radicalism they expressed, notably in the work of Angelo Clareno.
Selected sources will be compared and contrasted. Students will then be expected to draw their own conclusions about the significance of this tradition within the Franciscan movement.
Aims
- to introduce students to the ‘unofficial sources’ for the life of Francis of Assisi, in volumes I, II and III of Francis of Assisi: Early Documents, and to the findings of contemporary scholarship regarding these.
- to explore the meaning of ‘unofficial sources’ for the life of St. Francis
- to encourage students to read the unofficial sources with a critical approach
- to enable students to understand the historical context, nature and purpose of the unofficial sources
- to introduce students to the criteria used by scholars in establishing dating and suggesting authorship
- to discover the image of Francis presented in these sources
