Universität Wien

010021 FS Ecclesiology and Politics: Church authority and secular power in medieval political thought (2013W)

6.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 1 - Katholische Theologie
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 09.10. 16:15 - 18:00 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 16.10. 16:15 - 18:00 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 23.10. 16:15 - 18:00 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 30.10. 16:15 - 18:00 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 06.11. 16:15 - 18:00 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 13.11. 16:15 - 18:00 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 20.11. 16:15 - 18:00 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 27.11. 16:15 - 18:00 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 04.12. 16:15 - 18:00 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 11.12. 16:15 - 18:00 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 18.12. 16:15 - 18:00 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 08.01. 16:15 - 18:00 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 15.01. 16:15 - 18:00 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 22.01. 16:15 - 18:00 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG
  • Wednesday 29.01. 16:15 - 18:00 Seminarraum 4 (Kath) Schenkenstraße EG

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This seminar will study some key debates on the nature of papal and ecclesiastical power that emerged during the 14th century, opening a new epoch in the history of both political theory and ecclesiology. The controversy between Pope Boniface VIII and King Philipp the Fair of France produced a wealth of controversial literature, among which the tractates of John of Paris and Gilles of Rome figured prominently. One generation later, Marsilius of Padova wrote his Defensor pacis, a bold vision and new theory of political power, that reduced the role of the pope to a strictly religious and spiritual office holder, criticizing the idea of sovereign papal power in both the secular and ecclesiastical realms. Marsilius was condemned a heretic immediately after his work was published, but his influence reached far into the 15th century and beyond, stimulating ecclesiology and political theory for centuries.

Assessment and permitted materials

Students are expected to participate actively and regularly in the seminar sessions. Besides at least one oral presentation in class, a written research paper (15 pages plus bibliography) is required to get a positiv grade.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

From a material standpoint, the study of these texts and controversies will provide a better grasp of a crucial period of ecclesiology and of the arguments employed in the respective debates. From a formal standpoint, the study of medieval texts will broaden the understanding of scholasticism as a particular form of theological argumentation. Last but not least, the seminar may reveal the importance of medieval ecclesiology for the formation of modern political thought and for the understanding of both contemporary political debates and ecclesiology.

Examination topics

In the seminar selections from the three mentioned tractates will be read and discussed; the texts will be available both in the original Latin and in either English or German translations. While the main form of study will be an analysis and interpretation of the texts by discussions in class, students are also expected to give short presentations illuminating the historical, theological and political contexts of the texts and the underlying controversies. The seminar will be taught in English.

Reading list

Jürgen Miethke, Politiktheorie im Mittelalter, von Thomas von Aquin bis Wilhelm Ockham; durchges. u.korr. Studienausgabe (UTB ; 3059 : Theologie ), Tübingen, 2008 [Titel der 1. Ausg.: De potestate papae. Die päpstliche Amtskompetenz im Widerstreit der politischen Theorie von Thomas von Aquin bis Wilhelm von Ockham , Tübingen 2000.
Gianluca Briguglia, Marsilio da Padova, Roma 2013.

Association in the course directory

LV für Doktorat/PhD-Studien; für 011 (08W, 11W) D31 oder DAM, 066 793 (08W) MAM,
Fächerkontingentseminar 1 oder (freies) Wahlfach für 011 (02W), 012 (02W) und 020 (02W)

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:26