SAMPLE SYLLABUS: Religious Writings of Medieval Women: Love, Death, and Reunion

Instructor: Chris Morales Office Hours: By appointment

Email: christophermorales@ucsb.edu
Appointments: https://chris-morales.youcanbook.me

COURSE GOALS
This course introduces students to the lives and writings of women mystics who lived during the
High Middle Ages (11th-13th centuries). These writings are significant for their highly original
and complex theological contributions as well as their innovations in vernacular writing and
poetry (especially, Middle High Dutch, German, and English). We will explore these women’s
use of motifs from French courtly love literature and troubadour poetry to express in erotic terms
their mystical union and separation from God. We will think about the role of the body, reason,
and language in conceiving and expressing the infinite, and explore some of the earliest
examples of texts that could be called feminist.

GRADES
Final grades will be totaled from an oral exam, written midterm exam of 3-4 pages, final essay of
5 pages, and participation in class discussion. All written work should be double spaced, Times
New Roman, 12pt, with 1-inch margins. All assignments must be submitted on Gauchospace by
the specified deadline.

Oral exam (10%): Students will complete an oral exam on Troyes and Lorris at
the end of week 2. Students will be asked to demonstrate their knowledge of
major themes in courtly love literature, such as separation, desire, and trials.
Exams will last about 10 minutes. The oral exam is required to pass the class.
Appointments available January 13, 14, and 15.

Midterm paper (35%): Students will answer 2 questions in 3-4 pages. Students
must complete the midterm to earn a passing grade. Due: February 3. 9AM.

Final paper (35%): Students will write a final essay of 5 pages on a topic to be
announced. Students may propose an original topic before March 10, 5PM.
Students must meet with me to discuss their proposed alternate topic. Due:
March 20, 9AM.

Participation (20%): Students are expected to participate in class discussion, even

if it is only asking for clarification.
 Attendance: The first absence has no penalty. Additional absences incur a penalty
of 3% each from the final grade. Students who miss more than three classes
will fail the course.

If students require any accommodations or are having difficulties meeting the requirements of
the course, please let me or the appropriate campus personnel know as soon as possible.

COURSE READINGS
Readings for the course will be made available in the course reader available at Isla Vista
Printing. Texts will also be placed on course reserve at the library.

Provisional Schedule of Classes and Readings

Background: The Biblical
Mon., Jan. 4 Introduction
Reading (In-class): Selections from Genesis

Wed., Jan. 6 Gospel of John (selections)

Recommended: “Unio Mystica/Mystical Union,” pp. 200-210 in
Cambridge Companion to Mysticism

Background: French Courtly Love

Mon., Jan. 11 Chrétien de Troyes, “Lancelot” (selections)

Wed., Jan. 13 Guillaume de Lorris, “The Romance of the Rose” (selections)

Fri., Jan 15 Oral exam due by 5:00 PM

The Mystic as Lover

Mon., Jan. 18 Mechtild of Magdeburg (pp. 39-98)
Recommended: Bernard McGinn, The Flowering of Mysticism, (pp. 1-30)

Wed., Jan. 20 Mechtild of Magdeburg (pp. 101-134)

Recommended: Bernard McGinn, The Flowering of Mysticism, (pp.153-
198)

Mon., Jan. 25 Mechtild of Magdeburg (pp. 271-302)

Recommended: Bernard McGinn, The Flowering of Mysticism, (pp.199-
222)

Apophaticism and Self-Annihilation

Wed., Jan. 27 Marguerite Porete, The Mirror of Simple Souls (pp. 79-110)
 Ellen Babinsky, “Introduction to The Mirror of Simple Souls” (pp. 5-48)

Mon., Feb. 1 Marguerite Porete, The Mirror of Simple Souls (pp. 110-145)
Recommended: Bernard McGinn, “Lost in the Abyss: The Function of
Abyss Language in Medieval Mysticism.” (pp. 435-452)

Wed., Feb. 3 Marguerite Porete, The Mirror of Simple Souls (pp. 145-165)
Recommended: Jeffrey Hamburger, “Mysticism and Visuality” (pp.
277-293)

Mon., Feb. 8 MIDTERM

The Experience of Infinity

Wed., Feb 10 Hadejwich
Letters 1-10, 13-16, 26 (pp. 52-68, 74-81, 106-107)
Recommended: Columbia Hart, O.S.B., “Introduction to Collected Works”
(pp. 1-42)

Mon., Feb 15 HOLIDAY

Wed., Feb. 17 Hadejwich

Visions 3-9, 11 (pp. 272-286; 289-293)
Recommended: Alison Weber, “Gender,” pp. 315-327 in Cambridge
Companion to Mysticism

Mon., Feb. 22 Hadewijch, “Poems in Couplets” (poems 1, 3, 5, 8, 13, 15)

Recommended: Barbara Newman, “Latin and the Vernaculars,” pp.
225-239 in Cambridge Companion to Mysticism

Wed., Feb. 24 Hadewijch, “Poems in Stanzas” (poems 1, 2, 5, 9, 16, 22)

Recommended: Charles Stangs, “Writing,” pp. 252-263 in Cambridge
Companion to Mysticism

The Motherhood of God

Mon., March Gertrude of Helfta, The Herald of Divine Love (pp. 156-190)
Recommended: Sister Maximilian Marnau, “Introduction” (pp. 5-46)

Wed., March 3 Gertrude of Helfta, The Herald of Divine Love (pp. 190-222)

Mon., March 8 Julian of Norwich, Showings (pp. 173-210)

Wed., March 10 Julian of Norwich, Showings (pp. 210-235)

FINAL EXAM Due: March 20, 9AM

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
● Students requiring support for disabilities may contact the Disabled Students Program
(DSP). <https://dsp.sa.ucsb.edu/>
● Psychological counseling is available through the Counseling and Psychological Services
(CAPS) center. <http://caps.sa.ucsb.edu/>
● The Campus Advocacy, Resources & Education (CARE) office at UCSB provides
confidential advocacy and support to students, staff and faculty impacted by sexual
assault, dating/domestic violence and stalking. <http://wgse.sa.ucsb.edu/care/home>
● The Financial Crisis Responses Team provides assistance with financial emergencies and
can provide many helpful resources if you are struggling with basic needs.
<https://food.ucsb.edu/about/committees/financial-crisis-response-team>
● Please seek assistance through one of these resources or let me know if you are having
any difficulties that are interfering with your ability to succeed in this course.

PLAGIARISM AND ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

If you plagiarize in this class, you will fail the assignment and you will be referred to the Office
of Judicial Affairs. If you are having trouble with an assignment, please talk to me instead of
cheating.