Vice/Virtue in Medieval Italy

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

This course examines important themes in medieval Christian ethics: What is the good life, both in this world and in the world to come? How do knowledge and desire (intellect and will) come together to shape human action, and which of the two is paramount? What character traits—virtues—enable us to lead a good life, and how do we cultivate them? What character traits—vices—turn us away from a good life, and how do we avoid them? The three medieval Italian thinkers whom we will study in this course all take up these questions. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) approaches them by the methods of scholastic (university-based) philosophy, Dante (1265-1321) through poetry, and Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) through spiritual and mystical writing. Taken together, these three writers display the richness and variety of medieval ethical thinking. The course meets according to a regular schedule until Spring Break. During Spring Break we will spend a week in Italy, holding classes and touring important sites. The course does not meet after Spring Break, though there is a final project due at the end of the semester. The Office of Mission and Ministry supports the extra cost of this course through the generous support of Georgetown alumni.