RLBcB293 Manicheism

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2024

The course is not taught in Autumn 2024

Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Aleš Chalupa, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Aleš Chalupa, Ph.D.
Department for the Study of Religions – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Kristýna Čižmářová
Supplier department: Department for the Study of Religions – Faculty of Arts
Prerequisites (in Czech)
( RLA06 Christianity I || RLKA06 Christianity I ) || ( RLBcA006 Christianity I || RLBcKA006 Christianity I ) && ! RLB293 Manicheism
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 50 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/50, only registered: 0/50, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/50
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The main objective of the course is to provide students with general information about Manichaeism, its history in the ancient world and also its mythological system, doctrinal base and social structure of its communities. Lectures and seminars pay attention to the historical context in which Manichaeism originated and also to its complex interactions with rival religious traditions, e.g. with judaism, various forms of Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism etc.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course students will:
  • have a broader and more solid understanding of key aspects of Manichaeism
  • be familiar with the history of the study of Manichaeism during the 20th century and major trends at the beginning of 21st century
  • critically interpret our most important literary sources and archeological discoveries concerning Manichaeism
  • show appreciation of the most profound differences that Manichaeism had compared with other contemporary religious traditions
    • Syllabus
    • 0. Introductory lecture; 1. Manichaeism – General overview and sources; 2. Mani – his life and teaching; 3. Seminar I. ; 4. Manichaeic Teachings – Main characters (mythology, ritual, community structure) I.; 5. Manichaeic Teachings – Main characters (mythology, ritual, community structure) II.; 6. Seminar II.; 7. Manichaeism in the Roman Empire; 8. Manichaeism in Iran and Mesopotamia; 9. Manichaeism in India and Central Asia; 10. Manichaeism in China; 11. Seminar III.; 12. Test.
    Literature
      required literature
    • Gnosis on the Silk Road : Gnostic texts from Central Asia. Edited by Hans-Joachim Klimkeit. 1st ed. [San Francisco]: HarperSanFrancisco. xx, 405. ISBN 0060645865. 1993. info
    • Manichaean texts from the Roman Empire. Edited by Iain Gardner - Samuel N. C. Lieu. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. xviii, 312. ISBN 052156090X. 2004. info
    • DECRET, François. Mání a tradice manicheismu. Vyd. 1. Bratislava: CAD Press. ISBN 8085349302. 1994. info
      recommended literature
    • LIEU, Samuel N. C. Manichaeism in the later Roman empire and medieval China : a historical survey. Edited by Mary Boyce. 1st pub. Manchester: Manchester University Press. xiii, 360. ISBN 0719010888. 1985. info
    • LIEU, Samuel N. C. Manichaeism in Meopotamia and the Roman east. 2nd impression. Leiden: Brill. xiv, 325. ISBN 9004097422. 1999. info
    Teaching methods
    Lectures and seminars. For each seminar home reading of seminary texts and in time submission of position papers are required.
    Assessment methods
    The course is completed with a written end-of-term test.Students must answer correctly at least 60% of all questions. Entry condition of the test is in time submission of two position papers before three seminars oriented on the deeper analysis of chosen historical sources.
    Language of instruction
    Czech
    Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
    The course is taught once in two years.
    The course is taught: every week.
    Information on course enrolment limitations: Zápis mimo religionistiku je podmíněn souhlasem vyučujícího.
    • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2024/RLBcB293