Reading Augustine through the Confessions (THE3180)

30 credits

The module engages with one of the most influential works in western literature. You will investigate the following questions: to what extent is it ‘autobiography’? How do Augustine’s reflections on his life and relate to his conceptions of memory, time, desire and God? How should Augustine’s encounters with his mother, lovers, friends and teachers be interpreted? What can be learned about his aims in writing? How has the text been read? You will approach the text from literary, historical, theological and philosophical methods of interpretation. The module will take an interdisciplinary approach which is of interest to students in a number of disciplines, such as Classics, English literature, modern languages, philosophy and those taking combined programmes.