Course: The Spirituality of the Desert

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Course title The Spirituality of the Desert
Course code KSV/DTSPO
Organizational form of instruction Seminary
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Summer
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Cincialová Marta, Mgr. Th.D.
Course content
Study resources (videos, lecture notes) are available to distance learners on the Neo platform. Topics: The religious significance of the desert. The desert in the Old and New Testaments. The spiritual meaning of the struggle against temptation. The origins of Christian hermitage and monasticism (St Athanasius - Vita Antonii). The spirituality of the Desert Fathers (apophthegms). The spiritual teachings of Evagrius of Pontus, John Cassian and John Climacus. Hermitism in the East - Hesychasm, the Philokalia. The Renaissance of hermitism in the Middle Ages in the West - monastic reforms (Cistercians, Camaldolese), Carthusians, the desert dimension of Franciscan and Carmelite spirituality. Hermitism in the modern and contemporary eras in the East (Seraphim of Sarov, Theophan the Recluse, Silouan the Athonite) and in the West (Charles de Foucauld, Catherine de Hueck Doherty, Thomas Merton)

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming)
Learning outcomes
An introduction into the beginnings of Christian hermitic life and monasticism, into spirituality of the desert fathers and the spiritual teaching of selected representatives of the desert spirituality from the Antiquity to the present.
Students will gain a basic overview of the religious significance of the desert from the Biblical beginnings to the contemporary movements of the desert spirituality in the Western as well as Eastern interpretations.
Prerequisites
A Christian religious experience, or at least a serious interest in spirituality, is expected.

Assessment methods and criteria
Seminar Work

Credit is awarded for completing a seminar paper (approx. 5 NS). Students choose their own topic and agree on it with the instructor during the semester.
Recommended literature
  • Apoftegmata: výroky a příběhy pouštních otců. Praha. 2022.
  • Václav Ventura. Spiritualita křesťanského mnišství 2-3. Praha. 2010.
  • Václav Ventura. Spiritualita křesťanského mnišství. Praha. 2006.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester