Saints and Society in Europe and the Americas

3 units

This course will investigate the social and cultural factors surrounding saints and sanctity in Roman Catholic societies, with particular attention given to Europe and the Americas. The course begins by looking at saints in a medieval context, from roughly 1100 AD to the present day. Particular attention will be given to contested holy figures, those who achieved legitimacy within their societies but not the church, or vice versa. Students will examine why certain saints became popular at particular historical moments and examine the influence canonization has had in shaping saints and their cults.