The Confessions of
Saint Augustine
A Senior Seminar
Theology Course
Syllabus
Object: 1) To read and
reflect on the Confessions of St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD), one of the great
books of all times. To study the manner in which Augustine, one of
the most influential teachers of the Church, viewed human nature and life,
relationships with God, self and others, the interior struggle of every person
to achieve fulfillment and to search out and discover the truth.
2) To
use the Confessions as a springboard for the study of some problems of our own times
and how we should address these.
Texts: 1) The Confessions: by St. Augustine.
Translated
with introduction by R.S. Pine-Coffin. Penguin Books: New York, 1961.
2)
Instructor's notes.
Instructor: Father Ted Tack,
o.s.a.
Time
Frame: One quarter
Particular
Objectives:
1. To
have a sufficient understanding of the times and surroundings in which Augustine
lived.
2.
To acquire an overall view of Augustine's life.
3.
To read and analyze the first ten "books" (= our 'chapters') of
the Confessions.
4.
To reflect on how we can often see ourselves in Augustine's experiences and
insights.
5.
To note the importance of Jesus Christ, the Scriptures and the Church in
Augustine's
struggle to reach the truth.
6.
To discover the place of prayer as praise and as a simple opening of the heart
to
God.
7.
To observe and analyze the importance of people in Augustine's growth and
eventual
conversion.
8.
To keep a journal with a collection of sayings from this work which are particularly meaningful for each
student.
Assignments:
Reading
St. Augustine’s text, as a group and individually.
Sharing
personal reflections/ comments on what is read and studied.
Background
reading and reports.
Tests: Periodic
tests.
Grading: Homework
& Participation 40%
Periodic
quizzes 40%
Final
test 20%
Testing days for all theology courses are Mondays, with some rare exceptions.
Grading
Scale:
A
===== 90 -100 [Excellent]
B
===== 80 - 89 [Very good; above
average]
C
===== 70- 79 [Average]
D
===== 60 - 69 [Below average]
F ===== below
60 [Failure]