Performing Sanctity
Classics 07-404
Spring 2011
Course Information
Instructor Information
Instructor:
Glenda Carl
Office:
FWO 318
Office Hours:
Monday 1:30-2:30, Wednesday 11:15-12:15, Thursday 3:45-4:45, and by
appointment
Office
Telephone:
863-1590
E-mail:
carlg@southwestern.edu
Facebook:
Glenda Warren Carl
I prefer that you contact me online, by email or through Facebook if you like, because I am
more likely to check email than voicemail.
Course Description
Performing Sanctity is a study of saints' lives from the late ancient world and the Latin Middle
Ages, revealing the religious life of the periods that produced them as well as information about
basic social and cultural history.
Students engage in close reading of primary texts in translation and secondary texts to gain an
understanding of the historical context of saints' lives. Coursework is also situated within the
context of medieval aesthetics and rhetorical theory and foregrounds translation issues and the
necessity of critical thinking. The treatment of saints' lives in other medieval arts (painting,
sculpture, manuscripts, etc.) enriches our primarily textual study. Connections with
contemporary society, as appropriate, are highlighted as well.
Objectives II and III of the Curriculum
 This course counts towards the Objective II requirement in the Division of Humanities.
 This upper-level course satisfies the Classics Major’s requirement of at least one course
in Classics in Translation.
Texts and Course Materials
Medieval Saints: A Reader. Mary-Ann
Stouck. University of Toronto Press, 2nd
edition, 1998. ISBN 1442601019.
Selected online readings from sources such
as:
 The On-line Reference Book for
The ORB is an academic site, written and
Medieval Studies
maintained by medieval scholars for the
benefit of their fellow instructors and
serious students. All articles have been
judged by at least two peer reviewers.
Authors are held to high standards of
accuracy, currency, and relevance to the
field of medieval studies. ORB'S OCLC
number is 35987956.

The Internet Medieval Sourcebook
This project's goals has been to construct
an archive of source texts from available
public domain and copy-permitted texts. It
is both very large and fairly old in Internet
terms. An effort is underway to remove bad
links, but some may have escaped.
Course Structure
This course is based on a synergistic combination of lecture, discussion,
and activity. Students will complete course readings outside of class.
Classes will typically begin with a short lecture followed by discussion.
To facilitate discussion and a deeper engagement with the readings,
students will complete a variety of assignments such as reaction
papers, online discussions, oral reports, illustrations, imitations,
dramatizations, narratives, and so on.
The class meets for 75 minutes twice a week. Students should expect
to devote at least two hours to preparation for each class
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
 demonstrate an appreciation for the significance of Christian saints' lives for medieval
society
 compare and contrast representations of saints in medieval cultures, in the earliest
accounts, and in contemporary cultures.
 synthesize historical, medieval, and contemporary usage of hagiographical material in a
final project
Grading Policy
Graded Course Activities
Students will be evaluated based on attendance and participation in class discussions, a variety
of short assignments based on readings and discussions, a synthetic activity after the
completion of each assigned text (it will be similar in content and structure to the shorter
assignments but more substantial), and a final research project.
Final grades will be determined as follows:
Percentage
Description
20%
Attendance and participation in class discussions
20%
A variety of assignments, such as reaction
papers, online discussions, oral reports,
illustrations, imitations, dramatizations,
narratives, etc.
30%
Three synthetic activities, similar in type to
the shorter assignments but more substantial
30%
Final research project
100%
Total
Each participation grade will be on a three-point scale: three points if you are present and
volunteer; two if you respond when called on; one if you are present but silent; and no points if
you are absent.
Seniors will make their final project presentation during the week of
April 25 so that I may turn their final grades in by May 2. Due dates for
the final draft and its return may be adjusted for seniors according to
the pressures of individual schedules.
Viewing Grades in Moodle
Moodle has a Grades section where you can track your progress in this course. Please be
patient with me as I figure out the fine points of using Moodle's grading system, since I am used
to another one. And PLEASE never hesitate to let me know if your records differ from mine!
Letter Grade Assignment
The plus and minus grading system will be used for final grades. Semester percent averages will
translate to the following letter grades:
Letter Grade
Percentage
GPA
Performance
A+
97-100%
4.00
Extraordinary Work
A
93-96%
4.00
Excellent Work
A-
90-92%
3.67
Nearly Excellent Work
B+
87-89%
3.33
Very Good Work
B
83-86%
3.00
Good Work
B-
80-82%
2.67
Mostly Good Work
C+
77-79%
2.33
Above Average Work
C
73-76%
2.00
Average Work
C-
70-72%
1.67
Mostly Average Work
D+
67-69%
1.33
Below Average Work
D
63-66%
1.00
Poor Work
D-
60-62%
0.67
Extremely Poor Work
F
0-59%
0.00
Failing Work
Grades may be appealed based on the instructor’s alleged failure to weight the elements of the
final grade as described in the syllabus, on the alleged prejudicial treatment of individual
students, or on an alleged violation of the Academic Rights for Students as stated in the Student
Handbook and the Faculty Handbook. If you should wish to appeal your semester grade, follow
the procedures outlined in the Student Handbook.
Important note: For more information about grading at Southwestern, visit the Academic
Policies and Procedures section of the university catalog.
Course Policies
Attend Class
As stated in the Catalog and the Student Handbook, class attendance is required at
Southwestern University. Please be aware that excessive absences (five or more) may lead to
involuntary withdrawal from a course. I allow three unexcused absences in this course; each
absence after that will drop your final course grade by 2%.
Only absences for participation in University-sponsored activities, such as intercollegiate
athletics, class-related field trips, or ensemble tours are considered excused absences by the
University. You should confirm with the staff or faculty member sponsoring the event to be
sure that your professors are notified of your absence.
In the case of cultural or religious observances, or graduate school or internship interviews, I
will excuse the absence, provided that:
 At least one week prior to the event, or on the first day of class if the event takes place
during the first week of class, you notify me of the class(es) to be missed and
 You negotiate with me alternate times to complete any assignments or exams that will
be due on the date(s) of the missed class(es). Be prepared to complete this work prior
to the class(es) to be missed.
It is your responsibility to notify the professor by phone or email when you will be absent from
class, including when you are sick or not feeling well enough to attend class. Notification on the
day of the absence (preferably before class) is a requirement for negotiating an excused
absence in the case of illness.
Participate
Regular attendance and active participation in class activities are essential to your success in
this course. I evaluate attendance and participation on a three-point scale. Presence and
voluntary participation in class earn three points per class session; presence and participation in
response to my direct questions earn two points per session; presence accompanied by silence
earns one point; and absence from class earns a zero for that day’s participation grade.
Build Rapport
Respect your classmates by participating responsibly in any group work, by showing courtesy in
class discussions, and by regulating completely random digressions from the topic being
discussed.
I assume that you have a working set of study skills, that you will come to class prepared, that
you will feel free to ask me any course-related questions and seek help whenever something is
unclear, and that you will give me constructive feedback.
If you find that you have any trouble keeping up with assignments or with other aspects of the
course, make sure that you let me know as early as possible so that I can help you find a
solution.
Complete Assignments
Assignments must be submitted by the given deadline or special permission must be requested
from instructor before the due date. Extensions will not be given beyond the next assignment
except under extreme circumstances.
Understand Withdrawals and Incompletes
Involuntary Withdrawal Process
When, prior to the last day to drop courses (after the 10th week of class), excessive absences,
as defined by the professor in the course syllabus and the University Excused Absence Policy,
jeopardize a student's work in this course, the professor may request that the Registrar drop
the student from the course. After the last day to drop, students missing an excessive number
of class meetings could be dropped at the discretion of the professor with an "F." Students will
be notified of this action by the Center for Academic Success.
Incomplete Policy
The grade of Incomplete shall given only in the case of medical emergency or some other
emergency situation beyond the student's control. The grade of Incomplete may not be given
for the sole reason of permitting additional time to complete assigned course work. If the
Incomplete has not been replaced by 5 p.m. on the last day to add courses of the next regular
semester, the grade becomes an F. Upon petition in writing by the student and approval by the
faculty member, extension of the deadline may be granted by the Registrar.
Inform Your Instructor of Any Accommodations Needed
Southwestern University will make reasonable accommodations for students with documented
disabilities. To arrange accommodations students should contact the Assistant Director for
Academic and Access Resources within the Center for Academic Success (Prothro Center for
Lifelong Learning, 1st floor; phone 863-1286; email carterk@southwestern.edu) at least two
weeks before services are needed. It is the student’s responsibility to discuss any necessary
accommodations with the appropriate faculty member. Please see me by the end of the second
week of classes.
Commit to Integrity
Dating back to 1907, the Southwestern University Honor Code is a long-held tradition with our
students and faculty. At the Matriculation Convocation, new students affirm their participation
in and support of the Honor Code system.
Issues such as cheating or plagiarism (submitting someone else's work as your own) are serious.
Do your own work. Read the description of our honor system in the Student Handbook.
The pledge runs, as you remember, "I have acted with honesty and integrity in producing this
work and am unaware of anyone who has not." Write out the pledge in full (not PIF) and sign it
at the end of all written assignments.
Important Note: Any form of academic dishonesty must be reported to the Honor Code Council
or the Dean of Students.
This syllabus, assignments, and due dates are subject to change. It is the student's responsibility
to check Moodle for corrections or updates to the syllabus. Any changes will be posted on
Moodle.
Have Fun!
Medieval and literature leads us into a surreal world with which we imagine ourselves to be
acquainted through childhood tales, Hollywood films, and received ideas. The culture of the
Catholic Church, which may be both familiar and strangely different to some of us, reaches into
every corner of life in this world, yet ancient lore and inquiring minds continually break through
the veneer. Enjoy the trip!
“Only the learning that is enjoyed will be learned well” (Judah haNasi).
Weekly Schedule
January 11
Course introduction
January 13
Outside the Institution
(establishment, power structure, official religion, sociocultural norm)
The first Christian saints were martyrs, because the new religion was seen as a threat to the
Roman Empire.
January 18
SS Perpetua and Felicity
Read The Passion of SS Perpetua and Felicity in the Internet Medieval Sourcebook.
Ryan and Laura, you can find the Passio Sanctarum Perpetuae et Felicitatis in The Latin
Library, if you like.
For (non-neutral) background, read Sts. Felicitas and Perpetua in the New Advent Catholic
Encyclopedia.
January 20
Read some background information about Polycarp and the Martyrdom of Polycarp.
January 25
Medieval Saints: A Reader
Read Ch. 1, Martyrs of the Early Church
In class, we'll discuss St. Cyprian, the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus, and the martyrs of Vienne
and Lyons.
January 27
Medieval Saints: A Reader
Read Ch. 2, The Desert Fathers and Mothers
In class, we'll discuss St. Antony of Egypt.
February 1
We'll discuss the two Pauls in Ch. 2.
February 3
We'll discuss the two Marys and Macrina.
February 8
Finishing up Ch. 2, we'll discuss Symeon Stylites and prepare for the first synthetic activity
on Thursday.
February 10
Write and illustrate your own story of a (real or imaginary) martyr.
February 15 and following
tba