Dante's Divine Comedy: Purgatorio
Explore Dante's Purgatorio through contemplative reading. Analyze themes of hope, healing, and personal growth in this epic poem.
Explore Dante's Purgatorio through contemplative reading. Analyze themes of hope, healing, and personal growth in this epic poem.
Embark on a profound journey through Dante's Purgatorio in this course from Georgetown University. As the second part of the Divine Comedy, Purgatorio offers a unique exploration of hope, healing, and personal growth. Unlike the harrowing depths of Inferno, Purgatorio presents a world of sunlit solitude where souls undergo purification. This course employs a "Contemplative Reading" approach, encouraging deep engagement with the text through mindfulness and reflection. You'll explore the psychological and social insights Dante provides about becoming a "whole person" and the process of healing from sin. The course integrates the innovative MyDante platform, which enhances the reading experience through interactive features. Whether you're continuing from Inferno or starting fresh, this course offers a rich exploration of one of literature's most significant works, challenging you to reflect on human dignity, freedom, and responsibility. By engaging with Purgatorio, you'll gain insights into the Christian, Catholic, and Jesuit traditions while developing critical thinking and analytical skills applicable far beyond literary studies.
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What you'll learn
Gain proficiency in the theory and practice of "Contemplative Reading" as a key component of Liberal Arts education
Apply "Contemplative Reading" techniques to Dante's Divine Comedy, particularly Purgatorio
Develop an advanced understanding of Dante's Purgatorio and its cultural significance
Articulate personal reflections on human dignity, freedom, and responsibility as presented in the text
Engage with the fundamental goals of Liberal education, focusing on the universal dignity of personhood
Explore the contributions of Christian, Catholic, and Jesuit traditions to the concept of human dignity
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
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Graded assignments, exams
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Limited Access access
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Module Description
This course offers an in-depth exploration of Dante's Purgatorio, the second part of his epic Divine Comedy. It employs a unique "Contemplative Reading" approach, encouraging students to engage deeply with the text through mindfulness and reflection. The course covers the themes of hope, healing, and personal growth present in Purgatorio, contrasting them with the darker themes of Inferno. Students will use the innovative MyDante platform, which enhances the reading experience with interactive features. The curriculum includes analysis of Dante's psychological and social insights, discussions on human dignity and responsibility, and exploration of the Christian, Catholic, and Jesuit traditions. While no prerequisites are required, familiarity with Dante's Inferno is recommended. The course aims to develop critical thinking, literary analysis skills, and personal reflection, making it valuable for both literature enthusiasts and those interested in philosophical and ethical questions.
Fee Structure
Instructors
Medieval Italian Literature and Music Scholar at Georgetown University
Francesco Ciabattoni serves as Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Italian Department at Georgetown University, where he specializes in medieval Italian literature and the intersection of music and literature. After earning his PhD from Johns Hopkins University, he established himself as a leading expert on Dante studies through his monograph "Dante's Journey to Polyphony" (2010), which provides comprehensive analysis of musical elements in Dante's Commedia. His teaching portfolio includes courses on Dante in both English and Italian, along with classes on Boccaccio, French and Italian love poetry, and medieval literature. His scholarly contributions include co-editing "The Decameron Third Day in Perspective" (2014) with P.M. Forni, while his research interests span from medieval masters like Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio to modern figures like Pasolini. His current work focuses on developing a book examining intertextual practices among Italian songwriters, continuing his exploration of the relationship between literature and music.
Medieval History and Dante Studies Scholar at Georgetown University
Jo Ann Moran Cruz serves as Associate Professor of History at Georgetown University, bringing extensive expertise in late medieval and Renaissance history. After serving as Professor of History and Dean of Humanities and Natural Sciences at Loyola University, New Orleans, she has established herself as a leading scholar in medieval studies. Her research spans education and literacy in late medieval England, clergy studies, medieval and Renaissance social mobility, and popular western views of Islam. She is known for her textbook "Medieval Worlds" and has made significant contributions to Dante scholarship, including publications in Dante Studies such as "Dante, Purgatorio II and the Jubilee of Boniface VIII" and "Dante's Matelda: Queen and Mother." At Georgetown, she co-developed the team-taught introductory course "The Age of Dante" for Medieval Studies and has taught at Georgetown's Villa la Balze, where she conducted Dante tours. Her current projects include research on Inferno XV, examining the relationship between Dante and Brunetto Latini, and completing a book manuscript titled "A Question of Disobedience: Letters from an Elizabethan Family."
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