Course
GP334 - Seminar on Augustine's Major Works (St. Augustine, The Confessions)
Not avaliable for online application
General Information
| Course Type | On Campus |
| Course Category | P5. Seminar |
| Description | Teaching Objective: This course aims to guide students to deeply understand the core ideas, literary characteristics and historical influence of St. Augustine’s Confessions, one of the most important works in Western religious and philosophical history. By exploring the text, students will develop the ability to read and analyze classic religious and philosophical works critically, master the basic methods of textual interpretation of ancient Western works, and gain insights into the connection between St. Augustine’s personal spiritual journey and the social and cultural context of late antiquity. Additionally, the course intends to cultivate students’ ability to express their views clearly, engage in academic discussions respectfully, and form their own rational understanding of faith, self, and the meaning of life through in-depth exchanges and reflections. Teaching Content: The course focuses on a close reading and in-depth discussion of St. Augustine’s Confessions, divided into four thematic modules to ensure a systematic and in-depth exploration of the work: 1. Confessions Introduction to St. Augustine and the Background of: Brief overview of St. Augustine’s life (from his youth to his conversion to Christianity), the social, religious and cultural context of late Roman Empire (including the spread of Christianity, the conflict between paganism and Christianity, and the intellectual trends of the time), and the writing motivation and literary form of Confessions. 2. Textual Reading and Thematic Analysis (I): Spiritual Journey and Sin: Focus on Books 1-9 of Confessions, exploring St. Augustine’s childhood, youth, and early adulthood experiences, his pursuit of truth, his struggle with desire and sin, and the process of his spiritual wandering and gradual approach to Christianity. Key themes include the nature of sin, the conflict between reason and desire, and the search for spiritual peace. 3. Textual Reading and Thematic Analysis (II): Faith, Grace and God: Focus on Books 10-13 of Confessions, analyzing St. Augustine’s reflections on memory, time, creation, and the nature of God after his conversion. Key themes include the doctrine of grace, the relationship between human free will and divine grace, the understanding of time and eternity, and the meaning of creation. 4. Confessions Influence and Contemporary Significance of: Discuss the far-reaching influence of Confessions on Western Christianity, philosophy, literature, and psychology (e.g., its impact on medieval scholasticism, modern existentialism, and the study of self-identity). Explore the contemporary value of St. Augustine’s ideas, such as the reflection on self-awareness, the pursuit of spiritual growth, and the dialogue between faith and reason. |
| College Organization Structure | Holy Spirit Institute of Philosophy |
| Course Tuition Fee | 1840.00 |
| Course Combination | There is no records at the moment. |
