HISTORY OF THEOLOGY

Course objectives

Given for granted some basic and indispensable goals (knowledge and understanding in the field of studies; ability to apply knowledge and understanding; capability of critical analysis; ability to communicate about what has been learned; skills to undertake further studies with some autonomy), the course intends to attain the following specific objectives: To provide an introduction to the knowledge and understanding of a key text of Gnosticism and Ancient Christian literature; to make the students able to contextualise this text within its historical-religious milieu and within the history of theological doctrines.

Channel 1
GAETANO LETTIERI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
BIBLE, PHILOSOPHY, LITERATURE: THE INFINITE AND LEOPARDI’S THOUGHT BETWEEN HOMER, THE CHURCH FATHERS AND PASCAL The course aims to show how indispensable a knowledge of the Bible is for the understanding of the masterpieces of Italian literature and thought, in particular by showing the biblical and theological Christian sources (from the Fathers to Pascal) that inspired the formation of Leopardi’s highly original philosophical “system” and the very composition of The Infinite.
Prerequisites
Requirements: basic knowledge of the New Testament.
Books
1) Giacomo Leopardi, Lo Zibaldone (in qualsiasi edizione) 2) Giacomo Leopardi, Operette morali (in qualsiasi edizione) 3) Blaise Pascal, Pensées (in qualsiasi edizione francese e/o italiana) 4) Gaetano Lettieri, Dulce naufragium. Leopardi e il desiderio infinito tra i Padri e Pascal, Marsilio, Venezia 2023 5) Franco D'Intino, L’immagine della voce. Leopardi, Platone e il libro morale, Venezia, Marsilio, 2009
Teaching mode
The course will take place according to the didactic method of taught class.
Frequency
Attending the course is highly recommended.
Exam mode
Oral exam. A grade of not less than 18/30 is required to pass the exam. The student must demonstrate that he or she has acquired sufficient knowledge of the subjects and texts of the course program, that he or she has understood the issues addressed, and that he or she is able to apply his or her autonomous reasoning skills with the correct methodological approach. To receive a grade of 30/30 cum laude, the student must demonstrate that he or she has acquired an excellent knowledge of all the topics addressed during the course, being able to link them together in a logical and consistent way.
Bibliography
1) Giacomo Leopardi, Lo Zibaldone (in qualsiasi edizione) 2) Giacomo Leopardi, Operette morali (in qualsiasi edizione) 3) Blaise Pascal, Pensées (in qualsiasi edizione francese e/o italiana) 4) Gaetano Lettieri, Dulce naufragium. Leopardi e il desiderio infinito tra i Padri e Pascal, Marsilio, Venezia 2023 5) Franco D'Intino, L’immagine della voce. Leopardi, Platone e il libro morale, Venezia, Marsilio, 2009
Lesson mode
The course will take place according to the didactic method of taught class.
  • Lesson code1023712
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CoursePhilosophy
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year3rd year
  • Semester2nd semester
  • SSDM-STO/07
  • CFU6