Content

This unit locates Benedictinism in the wider history of monasticism. It covers monastic prayer with particular attention to the psalms, lectio divina, and liturgical life, the place of manual work and understandings of hospitality. Taking the monastic town of New Norcia as an example, it explores the Benedictine tradition in Australia especially in relation to the post-contact history of the former mission town. Students will spend a week living in the guest-house of the Benedictine monastery at New Norcia, Western Australia, participating in the community life of prayer. In addition they will attend lectures and participate in group discussions. There will be a number of structured activities based on the resources of the archives, museum, art gallery and cross-cultural Education Centre.

Unit code: CH8405P

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational

Unit discipline: Church History

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Pilgrim Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Articulate their experience of Benedictine spirituality and hospitality;

2.

Explore and analyse central themes of the Rule of St Benedict and Benedictine spirituality;

3.

Explore and analyse central themes in the history of Australian missionary work

4.

Interpret key themes in Australian history and the history of monasticism in relation to the particular experience of the New Norcia mission

5.

Discuss the historical role and contemporary significance of monasticism within the Australian church

6.

Demonstrate competence in use of historical sources, and in the construction of historical argument.

Unit sequence

Prohibited combinations: CH/DS9410P: Living by the Rule: Benedictine Spirituality in Australia

Pedagogy

Seminar, workshop, discussion Participation in the live-in experience will include lecture-style input and discussion (5 x 2 hours) and seminar-style source-based discussion (7 x 3 hours), in addition to involvement in and reflection on the community life of prayer (8 hours minimum), and structured activities drawing on the resources of the archives, museum, art gallery and cross-cultural Education Centre (4 hours). The Orientation meeting (4 hours) and the Saturday workshop on research (6 hours) will include input and small group discussion.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Böckmann, A. Perspectives on the Rule of St Benedict: expanding our hearts in Christ. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2005.
  • Casey, M. Sacred reading: the ancient art of lectio divina. Triumph Books, 1996.
  • Collins, G. Meeting Christ in His Mysteries: A Benedictine Vision of Spiritual Life. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2010.
  • Fry, T. (ed.). The Rule of St Benedict in English Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1981. (recommended for purchase)
  • Hart, P. (ed.) Survival or Prophecy: the letters of Thomas Merton and Jean Le Clerq. New York: Farrar, Strauss and Girroux, 2002.
  • Kulzer, L and Bondi, R. Benedict in the World: Portraits of Monastic Oblates. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2002.
  • Marrett-Crosby, A. (ed.) The Benedictine Handbook, Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2003.
  • Norris, K. Cloister Walk. New York: Riverhead Books, 1996.
  • Stewart, C. Prayer and Community: the Benedictine Tradition. London: Darton, Longman & Todd, 1998.
  • New Norcia Studies*, vols 1-18.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Journal

Journal – 2,000 words

0 20.0
Essay

Source Exercise – 2,000 words

0 40.0
Essay

Essay – 2,000 words

0 40.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 19 Oct, 2014

Unit record last updated: 2020-09-21 19:16:14 +1000