Programme

Women in Modern Christianity

Starting from the historiographical discussion on the relationship between the feminine and the sacred, the course intends to analyse models and experiences of the presence and role of women within Christian Churches, ecclesiastical institutions and religious life, highlighting their paths and their evolution in the last two centuries in conjunction with the epochal changes in society, customs and culture that have involved women and their social, cultural and religious status. Sources produced by women themselves or concerning them and historiographical debates on the presence and role of women in life and management of Churches and in the related spirituality will be taken into consideration.

Core Documentation

- Source dossier provided by the teacher through the online bulletin board.
- PAOLA GAIOTTI DE BIASE, Vissuto religioso e secolarizzazione. Le donne nella “rivoluzione più lunga”, Roma, Studium, 2006.
- Donne cristiane e sacerdozio. Dalle origini all’età contemporanea, a cura di DINORA CORSI, Roma, Viella, 2004, pp. 217-271.

Type of delivery of the course

We will try to make students acquire the ability to read and critically interpret historical essays and to deepen its historiographical debates, in order to provide them with methodological expertise to independently develop their own research paths, scientifically analysing the sources and the relative historiography. There will then be held methodological lessons and practical research exercises, discussion of the historiography and use of tools and aids.

Attendance

Attendance is optional, but it is strongly recommended for the seminar method of the course, which involves the active participation of students.

Type of evaluation

A final oral exam is scheduled, but during the lessons there will be methods to assess the profit through the interaction between teacher and students and the elaboration and presentation in class of a paper.