St. Michael's College, U of TView all USMC Undergraduate, Graduate and Continuing Education programs.
The following SMC courses are being offered in 2007-2008. For availability of cross-listed courses from other departments, please consult the Faculty of Arts and Science Timetable.
Core course | Approved courses: History, Thought, Literature, The Arts, Other
SMC 210Y1Y THE MEDIAEVAL TRADITION
Instructor: Joseph Goering Class: T2-5
This course provides an introduction to the thought and culture of the European Middle Ages. Students are introduced to the important monuments of mediaeval History, Thought, Literature, and Art, and follow some of the common threads that run through all these disciplines. The course explores some of the classical antecedents and chief expressions of mediaeval life and thought: Augustine’s City of God, Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy, several mediaeval histories and romances, selections from the writings of Thomas Aquinas, Dante, and Chaucer, the art of the Catacombs, the Lindisfarne Gospels, and the Gothic cathedral. Lectures, discussion, and written assignments are based on readings from these and other primary sources.
SMC 222H1F MEDIAEVAL LATIN I (formerly LAT 322H1/SMC 322H1)
Instructor: Alexander Andrée Class: MW11-1
A survey of the prose and poetry of the Middle Ages with emphasis on the linguistic features of mediaeval Latin.
Prerequisite: LAT 100Y1
SMC 302H1F CHRISTIANITY AND SYMBOLS
Instructor: Jennifer Harris Class: T9-12
Visual and verbal symbols stand at the centre of Christian life in the Early Church and the Middle Ages. In this course, we examine the development of symbolic and iconographic traditions over the course of the first 1300 years of Christianity. Our study will focus on key theological and biblical texts which nurtured and challenged the creation of a Christian symbolic culture, up to a close examination of the symbolic genius of Dante in the early fourteenth century.
Recommended preparation: SMC 200Y1
Readings: Course reader, to be distributed in class.
SMC 323H1S MEDIEVAL LATIN II (formerly LAT 323H1)
Instructor: Alexander Andrée Class: MW11-1
Study of a wide variety of mediaeval Latin texts.
Prerequisite: LAT 202H1/SMC 222H1
SMC 358H1S THE MEDIAEVAL BOOK
Instructor: Alexander Andrée Class: R2-4
This course examines the most salient aspects of mediaeval manuscript culture. We will study how the parchment for books was folded, pricked, ruled and bound, as well as what scripts were employed in the different codices. We will also examine the various types of books made in the Middle Ages, the development of manuscript library collections and how modern technology is changing the study of the mediaeval book.
Recommended preparation: LAT 100Y1; SMC 210Y1 or a course in mediaeval history
SMC 359H1F MEDIAEVAL THEOLOGY
Instructor: Joseph Goering Class: R2-4
An introduction to the discipline of theology as taught in the mediaeval schools. Building on a basic knowledge of Christian scriptures and of philosophical argument, this course will offer an organic exposition of mediaeval theology, together with an introduction into the scientific method of theological investigation as practised in the Middle Ages.
Recommended preparation: SMC 210Y1
SMC 360H1F VERNACULAR LITERATURE OF THE MIDDLE AGES
Instructor: Alexandra Bolintineanu Class: T9-12
This course examines selected examples of mediaeval vernacular literature within the cultural context of Europe and considers the development of different literary genres such as epic, romance and lyric. Relations between vernacular literatures, and between vernacular and Latin literature are also studied. Texts are read in translation.
Recommended preparation: SMC 210Y1
Exclusion:SMC 420H1
SMC 361H1S MEDIAEVAL LAW
Instructor: Giulio Silano Class: R4-6
Mediaeval jurisprudence combines the high technical quality of Roman law with the requirements of Christianity. The seminar provides an overview of the development of mediaeval learned jurisprudence; select texts from Roman and canon law, with their glosses, are read in order to explore more specifically the methods and concerns of mediaeval jurists.
Recommended preparation: HIS 220Y1/SMC 210Y1
Exclusion:SMC 405H1
SMC 357H1S THE MEDIAEVAL CHILD
Instructor: Greti Dinkova-Bruun Class: T10-12
This course examines birth, nourishment, education and death of children in the Middle Ages. What was it like to be a mediaeval boy or girl? What kind of relationship did children have with their parents, with their teachers, or with other children? Primary sources are examined and interdisciplinary methods employed.
Recommended preparation: SMC 210Y1/HIS 220Y1
SMC 421H1S JEWS AND JUDAISM IN CHRISTIAN TRADITIONS
Instructor: Jennifer Harris Class: R9-12
A seminar devoted to examining the changing representation of Jews and Judaism within Christian traditions over the past two thousand years.
Prerequisite: Completion of at least ten full-course credits
Recommended preparation: SMC 200Y1
SMC 205H1F VARIETIES OF CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE
Instructor: Giulio Silano Class: R4-6
Exploration of the variety of forms which Christian personal experience has taken in the course of history (martyrdom, mysticism, monasticism, sanctification of ordinary life, etc.) in order to appreciate their variety, complexity, and deep unity.
SMC 350H1S CELTIC SPIRITUALITY
Instructor: Jennifer Reid Class: R4-6
The religious culture of the early and mediaeval Celtic Church as manifested in the material and written record, and its significance for contemporary religious movements. Texts studied include the Patrician dossier, early monastic Rules and Liturgies, selected hagiographical, homiletic, devotional and lyric texts.
SMC 359H1F MEDIAEVAL THEOLOGY - see above under Foundational Courses
SMC 361H1S MEDIAEVAL LAW - see above under Foundational Courses
SMC 250Y1Y CELTIC MYTHOLOGY (formerly SMC 450Y1)
Instructor: Giselle Gos Class: R2-4
This course covers the range of the Celtic mythological record from all the Celtic areas through an examination of the archaeological, inscriptional and textual sources. A critical evaluation is offered of various relevant mythic approaches.
Exclusion:SMC 450Y1
SMC 343Y1Y CELTIC LITERATURE AND SOCIETY 500-1500
Instructor: Anne Connon Class: R10-12
Literature in relation to the structure and development of the insular Celtic society that produced it; the Mythological, Ulster, Fenian, and Historical Saga cycles; voyages, visions, religious, lyric, and gnomic poetry, British heroic poetry, mediaeval Welsh narratives both secular and religious. Texts studied in translation.
SMC 360H1F VERNACULAR LITERATURE OF THE MIDDLE AGES - see above under Foundational Courses
SMC 302H1F CHRISTIANITY AND SYMBOLS - see above under Foundational courses
SMC 358H1S THE MEDIAEVAL BOOK - see above under Foundational Courses
SMC 490Y1Y SENIOR ESSAY IN MEDIAEVAL STUDIES
A scholarly project chosen by the student in consultation with an instructor and approved by the Program Co-ordinator. Arrangements for the choice of topic and supervisor must be completed by the student before registration.
SMC 435H1 INDEPENDENT STUDIES IN MEDIAEVAL STUDIES
An independent research project to be proposed by the student and supervised by a member of faculty affiliated with the Mediaeval Studies Program.
Prerequisite: Ten full courses