Syllabus
1. The story of the Bible (origin of the bible, its structure, Bible as literature)
2. Medieval Bible (Biblical manuscripts, Augustine)
3. Life of Adam and Eve (Creation, Apocryphal Adam and Eve)
4. Gospel story (Matthew, genealogy, parables, crucifixion)
5. Childhood of Jesus (The Gospel of Pseudo-James)
6. Isaac’s sacrifice (prefiguration)
7. Exodus (the Decalogue in the Middle Ages)
8. King David (Psalms, Bathsheba)
9. Jonah and the whale (medieval parody)
10. Daniel and Hester (reading: Jews in diaspora)
11. Acts of the Apostles (Acts of Paul the Thecla, medieval sermons)
12. Apocalypse (medieval prophecies and visions)
13. Students‘ work discussion
Annotation
Most medieval writing is in some way related to the Bible: some texts are very close to it, others are linked in less obvious ways. This course will introduce a number of medieval stories, always focusing on their relationship to their biblical inspiration.
Students will thus get acquainted with both the Bible and medieval literature. Emphasis will be placed on joints discussions and interpretation of the assigned texts.