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Angels and Demons in the Medieval World - MHIS323

Most medieval Europeans believed that a battle between Good and Evil, between God and the Devil, was being played out in human history. The foot soldiers of this battle were understood to be angels and demons, who did the work of their masters in the space between the human world and the divine. Medieval art and literature was filled with these creatures, as were the sermons preached during religious services.

During this unit, students will encounter various angels and demons through poetry, paintings, sculpture, and religious writings. We will read these cultural products within their context, in order to engage with this period that can seem so distant to our own. We will think about these texts, also, as political texts. We will ask whose interests representations of demons and angels really served, in terms of earthly power and authority.

Credit Points: 3
When Offered:

S2 Day - Session 2, North Ryde, Day

S2 External - Session 2, External (On-campus sessions: None)

Staff Contact(s): Dr Clare Monagle
Prerequisites:

6cp in HIST or MHIS or POL units at 200 level including 3cp in HIST or MHIS units Prerequisite Information

Corequisites:

NCCW(s):
Unit Designation(s):
Unit Type:
Assessed As: Graded
Offered By:

Department of Modern History, Politics and International Relations

Faculty of Arts

Course structures, including unit offerings, are subject to change.
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