EXPLORING THE PHILOKALIA

T9683A

 
 
Unit Weighting                       

9 cps

Type of Unit                

Specialised

Prerequisites                

T8581A

Academic Staff            

Very Rev. Dr Doru Costache, BTh (Bucharest 1993) PhD (Bucharest 2000), Senior Lecturer

Curriculum Objectives

Building on T8581A, this graduate course unit engages the main themes pertaining to Philokalic tradition, which it examines within their historical context and from a comparative perspective. It assists students to appreciate the significance of Philokalic tradition for the general Christian experience.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this unit students will be able to:

  1. Appraise the historical, cultural and ecclesial contexts of various trends in Philokalic tradition
  2. Display a broad awareness of the main texts and themes pertaining to Philokalic tradition
  3. Critically utilise the primary sources and the relevant contemporary scholarship in the analysis of Philokalic themes
  4. Interpret themes pertaining to the Philokalic tradition within their immediate and distant literary and historical contexts
  5. Assess the relevance of Philokalic tradition to contemporary Christian experience

Content

  1. Introducing the Philokalia: An overview of the collection.
  2. The broader context of Philokalic tradition.
  3. Main trends and themes in Philokalic tradition.
  4. Reception of the Philokalia.
  5. The significance of the Philokalia for the contemporary spiritual quest.

Assessment Profile

  1. Show the capacity to critically assess the relevant literature (e.g. summaries or reviews)
  2. Demonstrate an awareness of the main trends and themes in Philokalic tradition (e.g. essay)
  3. Assess the significance of various trends and themes in Philokalic tradition from the viewpoints of contemporary scholarship and the Christian experience (e.g. take home exam)

Schedule

3hr lecture per week on campus, or via distance education

 

Introducing the Master of Greek Philosophy

Greek philosophy remains foundational to the history of ideas in the Western and Eastern traditions. It has shaped disciplines as diverse as theology, ethics, politics, science, and metaphysics. In particular, the writings of Plato, Aristotle, and the later Hellenistic and Byzantine philosophers have exercised enduring influence on Christian theology, especially in the Patristic and medieval Byzantine periods.

The Master of Greek Philosophy cultivates advanced capacity for critical engagement with the key figures, texts, and ideas of the ancient and Byzantine Greek philosophical tradition, preparing graduates to integrate these insights in further scholarly research, higher education, ministry, or other cultural and professional spheres.

Courses

How to Apply

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