DI4526 Christian Mysticism Through the Ages

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

11-12pm Monday, 11-1pm Thursday

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr W P Hyland

Dr W P Hyland
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr W Hyland

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module will introduce students to the extensive and rich literature on Christian mysticism from the early Church through the twentieth century. Various approaches to studying the phenomenon of mysticism will be considered. The focus of the module will be a close examination of the writings of Christian mystics themselves, with attention given to their varied descriptions and analyses of encounter and union with the divine, and the implications of mystical experience for personal transformation and growth in Christ. Texts and writers will include, among others, Thomas Merton, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Meister Eckhart, The Cloud of Unknowing, and Julian of Norwich.

Assessment pattern

3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 lecture and 1 x 2-hour seminar, 2 additional hours over semester meeting with coordinator.

Scheduled learning hours

35

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

265

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Intended Learning Outcomes: a) Specifically, on completion of this module, successful students should have: •a knowledge and understanding of the essential terminology and approaches used to describe both the history and analysis of Christian mysticism. •a knowledge and understanding of the variety of forms of the mystical life and the genres in which it has been expressed over the long stretch of Christian history, the ability to understand and engage with the various types of texts •a framework to understand and dialogue about mysticism in other religions. •a foundation to thinkabout the relevance of this tradition for the life of the world and Church today.
  • b) Transferable skills include: •ability to engage in a careful, open and critical fashion with challenging texts, ideas and concepts •a capacity to frame independent perspectives on complex questions, and to consider respectfully possible objections to those positions. •ability to develop and sustain arguments clearly and cogently, in oral presentations, group discussion, and written work.