Explorations in Eastern Christian Spirituality

This course serves as a broad survey of the ascetico-mystical theology (Spirituality) of the Eastern Churches, as represented by a multiplicity of authors and texts (using both secondary and primary texts in English translation). Through required readings, lectures, student class presentations and class discussions as well as a reflection paper, summative exercise and oral exam, both ancient and modem authors will be studied in this intensive course, with a view to examining the unifying characteristics that underlie the various spiritual traditions, as well as those elements that distinguish various trends, themes, regional emphases and personal particularities of individual authors. Connections will be made to Eastern Christian doctrinal emphases where appropriate, and historical contexts will be taken into account. In addition to work done together as a group, students will have the opportunity to choose from a list of authors/texts for individual study.