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A Voice of Their Own. Women's Spirituality in the Middle Ages.

Approx. 12 hours to complete

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Course Summary

This course explores the history and breadth of women's spirituality, emphasizing the spiritual journey of women throughout history and the ways in which women have transformed spiritual practices and beliefs.

Key Learning Points

Learn about the history and diversity of women's spirituality
Understand the ways in which women have transformed spiritual practices and beliefs
Explore the spiritual journey of women throughout history

Learning Outcomes

Gain an understanding of the history and diversity of women's spirituality
Develop a deeper appreciation for the ways in which women have transformed spiritual practices and beliefs
Explore your own spiritual journey and discover new practices

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

No prior knowledge or experience required
Openness to exploring new spiritual practices and beliefs

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced
Video lectures
Assignments
Quizzes

Similar Courses

Sacred Feminine
Women's Health and Spirituality

Related Education Paths

Notable People in This Field

Sylvia Celeste Browne
Marianne Williamson

Related Books

Description

Have you ever heard about medieval mysticism or medieval heresies? Have you ever wondered about the particular role women played in medieval spirituality? Do Hildegard of Bingen, Clare of Assisi, Marguerite Porete, the Cathar ladies or Isabel de Villena ring a bell? Have you ever felt like you wanted to know more about them? If your answer to any of these questions was yes, then this MOOC, A voice of their own. Women’s spirituality in the Middle ages is what you were looking for.

A Voice of their own is much more than a course. It is an invitation to follow the paths traced by the spiritual experiences of medieval women. It is a challenge that, should you let it, will take you to places where you will see and hear things that will astonish you. Here you will find medieval women playing a major role in the spiritual transformations of the Middle Ages, founding monastic movements and orders, writing about their experiences, traveling the roads of Europe to spread their ideas, creating spiritual landscapes, as well as both material an intangible architectures. In this MOOC, these women will speak to you from the past, and you'll see that their voices still hold great validity in the present.

Outline

A Voice of their Own: Introduction
Introduction
The Dawn of a New Spirituality
The Birth of Nunneries: Early Forms of Female Monasticism in the Middle Ages
Female Voices in the New Mysticism
Persecution and Dissent: The True Meaning of Heresies
Women Changing Spaces: The Effect of Female Spirituality on the Territory and the City
The Role of Women in Confraternities
Women on the Move
Quiz Unit 1

THE HOUSE OF THE HEART: NUNS IN THE MIDDLE AGES
The Spread of Cistercian Nunneries: The Case of Las Huelgas
The Female Branch of the Mendicant Movement
Enclosure: The Not-So-Strict Reality of Medieval Nuns
The Daily Rhythm of the Nunnery
Books and Archives in the Nunnery
Lay Benefactors, Sponsors, and Promoters
Founding Queens
Quiz Unit 2

The Space Within: Female Mysticism in the Middle Ages
3.1 The Visionary World of Hildegard of Bingen
3.2 Courtly Mysticism: The Trobairises of God
Mysticism in the Nunnery: The Spiritual School of Helfta
The Mirror of Simple Souls and the Deafening Silence of Marguerite Porete
The Anchoress and the Wanderer: Julian of Norwich, Margery Kempe, and English Mysticism
The Meditations of Isabel de Villena
Birgitta of Sweden: Mother, Mystic, And Founder
Quiz Unit 3

VOICES OF DISSENT
Good Women: The Female Side of Catharism
Preaching Voices: The Role of Women among the Poor of Lyons
The Role of Women in the Guglielmites
The Burned Beguines of Languedoc
Inquisitors and Women
Curbing Dissidence: From Beguines to Nuns
The alumbradas: 16th-century Heretics?
Quiz Unit 4

SPIRITUAL LANDSCAPES
A Doorway to Women's Spiritual Landscapes in the Middle Ages
Monasteries in the Territory
Nunneries in the City
Reconstructing Female Spaces
The Observant Reformation
Female Medieval Spaces Today
Women and Assistance
Quiz Unit 5

Summary of User Reviews

Discover the spiritual wisdom and practices of women throughout history in this course on Women's Spirituality. Students have praised the course for its insightful exploration of spiritual practices and beliefs of various women throughout history.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

Insightful exploration of spiritual practices and beliefs of various women throughout history.

Pros from User Reviews

In-depth analysis of women's spiritual practices and beliefs.
Diverse range of topics covered including goddess worship, shamanism and witchcraft.
Engaging and passionate instructors who are experts in the field.
Interactive assignments and discussions that encourage critical thinking.
Flexible schedule and online platform make it easy to fit into busy lifestyles.

Cons from User Reviews

Limited focus on contemporary women's spirituality.
Some students may find the course material too academic or theoretical.
Occasional technical issues with the online platform.
Not suitable for those looking for a traditional religious studies course.
Some students may find the course content triggering or emotionally challenging.

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