Module THEO2591: The Thought of St Bonaventure

Department: Theology and Religion

THEO2591: The Thought of St Bonaventure

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To introduce students to St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio (1217-1274) and to allow them to engage critically with the key features of his theology, philosophy, and spirituality.
• Through an engagement with a wide selection of Bonaventure’s writings in translation, to facilitate the skills needed to read and evaluate medieval sources.
• To familiarize students with contemporary Bonaventurian studies (i.e. points of debate, scholars, etc) and to give them the skills needed to engage with the field.

Content

• This module will offer an in-depth exposition of key aspects of Bonaventure's thought. Amongst others, topics studied may include the nature of theology, the relation between faith and reason/ theology and philosophy, Bonaventure's arguments for the existence of God, his understanding of the Trinity, his theology of creation, his thought on sin, grace and the sacraments, and his views on eschatology, mysticism, and the last things.
• These topics will be studied in the light of Bonaventure's historical context in general, and his Franciscan vocation in particular.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will learn how to offer a coherent and systematic understanding of key aspects of Bonaventure's theology, philosophy, and spirituality through exposure to primary texts (in translation) and engagement with relevant secondary literature.
• Students will acquire an in-depth understanding of the nature and development of Bonaventure's thought and its significance for the Christian life in the medieval period, and how, in turn, it was shaped by its historical context.
• Students will learn how to identify the distinctive features of Bonaventure’s thought and their originality.
• Students will acquire some awareness of how Bonaventure’s thought differs from figures like St. Thomas Aquinas and how, in turn, it came to shape the direction of subsequent Franciscan thinking.

• Students will learn how to read medieval primary sources (scholastic and spiritual) as well as the different medieval writing styles employed
• Students will learn how to interpret and evaluate critically Bonaventure's thought based on primary sources, and to situate these in their intellectual and cultural context.

• Students will learn how to: (a) engage critically with medieval theological and philosophical arguments; and (b) situate these in their intellectual, historical, and spiritual contexts.
• Students will learn how to grasp, summarize, and critically evaluate complex concepts, arguments and knowledge in written form.
• Students will learn how to read and interrogate contemporary secondary literature on Bonaventure and how to use it effectively as part of written assessment.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures convey information and exemplify an approach to the subject-matter, enabling students to develop a clear understanding of the subject and to improve their skills in listening and in evaluating information.
• Seminars enhance subject-specific knowledge and understanding both through preparation and through interaction with students and staff, promoting awareness of different viewpoints and approaches.
• Formative essays develop subject-specific knowledge and understanding, along with student skills in the acquisition of information through reading and research, and in the structured presentation of information in written form.
• Commentary assessment and seminars equip students with the skills to reflect critically on the medieval sources, both individually and in groups. Seminars facilitate student led learning and discussion, while helping students prepare for their commentary assessment,
• Summative essays both develop (through feedback) and assess subject-specific understanding, cognitive and interpretative skills, and key skills of written communication and acquisition of information.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Students will be invited to write a formative essay of 2,000 words on a key aspect of Bonaventure’s theology or spirituality.

■ Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.