Content

This unit will examine the historical context of the Second Vatican Council (1962–65). It will examine the intellectual and historical formation of Angelo Roncalli (Pope John XXIII) and his particular study of the Council of Trent which shaped in a definitive way his language and framework in calling the Second Vatican Council. In studying the speeches and writings of Angelo Roncalli/John XXIII, the student will come to understand the historical context of Vatican II’s call for aggiornamento (updating) and Pope John XXIII’s perception of an epochal shift for the Church and the world in the course of the twentieth century. An assessment of the historical importance of Vatican II will also be made.

Unit code: CH9180C

Unit status: Archived (Major revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Church History

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Catholic Theological College

Show when this unit is running

Learning outcomes

1.

Contextualize Vatican II in relation to previous Church councils

2.

Identify the major themes in the ongoing historical interpretation of Vatican II, noting in particular the evolution of the recent scholarly debates regarding the relative continuity/discontinuity of the Council

3.

Articulate the cultural and intellectual formation of Angelo Roncalli (John XXIII), in particular his study of the Council of Trent and the reforms of St Charles Borromeo, that prompted him to call the Second Vatican Council

4.

Demonstrate a capacity to situate the documents of Vatican II in the wider historical and theological context

5.

Evaluate the distinctive nature of Vatican II as a hermeneutical key to assist in the ongoing interpretation of conciliar history

6.

Analyse and interpret both primary and secondary sources in a critical fashion and demonstrate competence in the methodologies and conventions of advanced research in the discipline of history

Pedagogy

Lectures and seminars

Indicative Bibliography

  • Alberigo, Giuseppe, Jean-Pierre Jossua, and Joseph A. Komonchak, eds. The Reception of Vatican II. Washington, DC: Catholic University of America Press, 1987.
  • Alberigo, Giuseppe, and Joseph Komonchak, eds. History of Vatican II. 5 vols. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1995-2006.
  • Alberigo, Giuseppe. A Brief History of Vatican II. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2006.
  • Benigni, Mario, and Goffredo Zanchi. John XXIII: The Official Biography. Boston, MA: Pauline Books & Media, 2001.
  • Bulman, Raymond, and Frederick Parrella, eds. From Trent to Vatican II: Historical and Theological Investigations. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.
  • Coppa, Frank. The Papacy in the Modern World: A Political History. London: Reaktion Books, 2014.
  • Hebblethwaite, Peter. John XXIII: Pope of the Council. London: Geoffrey Chapman, 1984.
  • Latourelle, Rene, ed. Vatican II: Assessment and Perspectives: Twenty-five Years After (1962–1987). 3 vols. New York: Paulist Press, 1988–89.
  • O’Malley, John. Tradition and Transition. Historical Perspectives on Vatican II. Wilmington, DE: Michael Glazier, 1989.
  • O’Malley, John. What Happened at Vatican II. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2008. (recommended for purchase)
  • Schultenover, David, ed. Vatican II. Did Anything Happen? New York: Continuum, 2007.
  • Stacpoole, Alberic. Vatican II: By those who were there. London: Geoffrey Chapman, 1986.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

5,000 word essay

5000 50.0
Seminar or Tutorial

1,000 word seminar paper

1000 20.0
Written Examination

1 hour documents examination (1,000 words)

1000 30.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 20 Jul, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-03 13:58:17 +1100