Poetic Vision & Vernacular Theology: Dante & Julian of Norwich

The objective of this working group will be to study Dante¿s Commedia and the writings of Julian of Norwich intensively over a period of two years. Each of the first three semesters (with meetings scheduled bi-weekly) will focus on one of the three books of the Commedia and the staggering wealth of literary, theological, and philosophical issues Dante¿s work continues to raise to this day. The fourth and final term would be given over to the work of Julian of Norwich. Our reading and discussion of these texts will be complemented by carefully selected secondary literature from a variety of fields (literary studies, theology, philosophy, visual studies) so as to cast further light on how the Commedia ¿interanimates¿ (to use John Donne¿s phrase) forms of knowledge that have since evolved into distinct, heavily specialized academic fields: theology; literary studies; psychology; law; philosophy; visual studies, etc.Faculty and graduate students are welcome. Please join us! (Check the webpage for locations)