A Voice of Their Own. Women's Spirituality in the Middle Ages. from Coursera

Have you ever heard about medieval mysticism or medieval heresies? Have you ever wondered about the particular role women played in medieval spirituality? Do Hildegard of Bingen, Clare of Assisi, Marguerite Porete, the Cathar ladies or Isabel de Villena ring a bell? Have you ever felt like you wanted to know more about them? If your answer to any of these questions was yes, then this MOOC, A voice of their own. Women’s spirituality in the Middle ages is what you were looking for.

A Voice of their own is much more than a course. It is an invitation to follow the paths traced by the spiritual experiences of medieval women. It is a challenge that, should you let it, will take you to places where you will see and hear things that will astonish you. Here you will find medieval women playing a major role in the spiritual transformations of the Middle Ages, founding monastic movements and orders, writing about their experiences, traveling the roads of Europe to spread their ideas, creating spiritual landscapes, as well as both material an intangible architectures. In this MOOC, these women will speak to you from the past, and you'll see that their voices still hold great validity in the present.

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What's inside

Syllabus

A Voice of their Own: Introduction

In this Unit you will get an idea of all the topics that will be discussed throughout this course and you will start to learn about the many roles women adopted in the spirituality of the Middle Ages.

THE HOUSE OF THE HEART: NUNS IN THE MIDDLE AGES

This Unit focuses on the world of medieval nunneries from the Early to the Late Middle Ages. Here you will find the early varied forms of monasticism and also the well-established orders of the end of the medieval period. You will learn about enclosure, about life in nunneries and about the men and women who helped found and support them for their own purposes.

The Space Within: Female Mysticism in the Middle Ages

VOICES OF DISSENT

SPIRITUAL LANDSCAPES

Good to know

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Teaches about the experiences of medieval women and their contributions to spirituality, which is underrepresented in mainstream historical accounts

Taught by three experts in medieval history, who have published extensively on the topic

Examines the role of women in founding monastic movements and orders, writing about their experiences, and creating spiritual landscapes

Develops an understanding of the diverse roles women played in medieval spirituality, including nuns, mystics, and heretics

Provides an in-depth exploration of medieval women's spirituality, drawing on historical sources and scholarly research

Reviews summary

Women's spirituality in the middle ages

Learners say this course is largely well received, providing engaging assignments in a well-presented format. Instructors are described as passionate and knowledgeable, although some have difficult accents. Topics covered include the roles of women in medieval spirituality, monasteries, and nunneries. The course includes readings, videos, quizzes, and homework assignments towards a certificate.

Many influential women and their contributions are explored.

"I discovered so many intelligent, courageous, independent women."

"I gained so much fantastic knowledge here!"

"They participated fully in their societies, bringing about changes in the way spirituality should be lived especially in the case of women."

Meaningful quizzes paired with optional learning material.

"The optional classes will help you with the quizzes."

"I learned a great deal."

"The assignments were great."

Quizzes may contain obscure details and incorrect answers.

"the test answer choices should be clearer"

"too often the details and wording were obscure"

"so it took me several times to pass the initial quizzes which may prove too discouraging for some people taking the course"

Some instructors are challenging to understand due to pronunciation.

"Some of the male presenters are difficult, and at times impossible, to understand."

"I couldn't understand anyone's accent."

"The gentleman who gave the presentation on the Claustra website did so very clearly."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in A Voice of Their Own. Women's Spirituality in the Middle Ages. with these activities:

Review key concepts from European history during the Middle Ages

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Refreshes knowledge of the historical context of the course material, ensuring a strong foundation for understanding the experiences of medieval women.

Browse courses on European History

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Review course materials or textbooks that cover the Middle Ages in European history.
Identify key concepts, such as feudalism, the Crusades, and the rise of cities.
Take practice quizzes or engage in discussions to test your understanding.

Follow tutorials on medieval monasticism

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Introduces the concept of monasticism and its significance in the lives of medieval women, providing context for the course material.

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Search for reputable online tutorial platforms.
Identify tutorials that cover the history and practices of medieval monasticism.
Follow the tutorials, taking notes and asking questions as needed.

Read 'Women in the Middle Ages' by Katharina M. Wilson

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Provides a comprehensive overview of the lives and experiences of women in medieval Europe, setting the stage for the topics covered in the course.

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Purchase or borrow the book.
Set aside dedicated reading time each day.
Take notes and highlight key passages.

Four other activities

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Participate in a discussion group on medieval women's spirituality

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Fosters collaboration and exchange of ideas, enriching understanding of the course material through peer perspectives.

Browse courses on Medieval History

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Join or create a discussion group dedicated to medieval women's spirituality.
Actively participate in discussions, sharing insights and asking questions.
Listen attentively to other participants' perspectives and engage in respectful dialogue.

Analyze primary source documents from medieval nunneries

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Enhances understanding of the daily life and experiences of medieval nuns, deepening knowledge of the course material.

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Access online databases or libraries that provide access to medieval primary sources.
Identify relevant documents, such as charters, letters, or chronicles.
Analyze the documents, paying attention to the language, style, and content.
Draw conclusions about the lives and experiences of medieval nuns.

Write a short essay on the role of women in medieval mysticism

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Encourages critical thinking and synthesis of course material, deepening understanding of the spiritual experiences of medieval women.

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Research the topic, gathering information from course materials and additional sources.
Develop a thesis statement that articulates your understanding of the role of women in medieval mysticism.
Organize your essay, outlining the main arguments and supporting evidence.
Write the essay, ensuring clear and concise language.
Proofread and edit your work.

Contribute to a digital archive of medieval women's writings

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Provides an opportunity to engage with primary sources and contribute to the preservation of medieval women's voices, enhancing understanding of the course material.

Browse courses on Medieval History

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Identify digital archives or libraries that collect medieval women's writings.
Review their contribution guidelines and identify areas where you can assist.
Transcribe or digitize medieval texts, ensuring accuracy and adherence to established standards.

Career center

Learners who complete A Voice of Their Own. Women's Spirituality in the Middle Ages. will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Scholar

Scholars research and write about a particular subject. This course can help you develop a strong foundation in Medieval women's spirituality that will be invaluable for your research.

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Theologian

Theologians study the nature of God and religious beliefs. This course will provide you with a thorough understanding of the spiritual beliefs and practices of women during the Middle Ages.

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Researcher

Researchers design and conduct studies to collect and analyze data. This course may be useful for those interested in studying particular women or themes related to women's spirituality during the Middle Ages.

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Museum Educator

Museum educators develop and deliver educational programs and activities in museums or historic sites. You can use your knowledge from this course to educate others about the women who practiced spirituality in the mediveal ages.

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Professor

Professors teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. If you want to teach, specializing in Medieval history is a great choice. This course may also provide useful information to supplement your Medieval history lectures.

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Historian

Historians research, analyze, and interpret the past. This course can be a useful addition to your education if you wish to specialize in Medieval history, especially religious history.

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Archivist

Archivists procure, preserve, arrange, describe, and provide access to historical records. With deep knowledge of women's spirituality throughout the Middle Ages like that taught in this course, you may be able to help preserve or translate important historical documents pertaining to this particular topic.

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Curator

Curators maintain collections of cultural artifacts, such as artworks and historical objects. You can build a strong foundation for this role by taking this course, as it will provide you with a deepened understanding and appreciation of Medieval art and culture, which can make you a more effective curator.

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Tour Guide

Tour guides lead tours of historical sites and landmarks. A deep knowledge of this specific period of history can inform your tours and make you a more valuable asset to potential employers.

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Writer

Writers create written content, such as books, articles, and scripts. With a firm grasp of women's spirituality in the ME as you will gain from this course, you can write historical fiction or other types of literature on the subject, should you choose to pursue that.

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Teacher

Teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects. This course will give you a wealth of knowledge about the Middle Ages that you may be able to incorporate into your teaching if you choose.

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Art historian

Art Historians study, research, and write about the history of art. This course will help you develop a keen eye for detail and an understanding of the historical context of art, particularly religious art that might depict the women discussed in this course.

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Librarian

Librarians help library patrons find information and resources. This course will provide you with extensive knowledge of a time period and topic that people may seek assistance with, making you a more effective resource.

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Editor

Editors prepare written material for publication, correct errors, and suggest changes to improve clarity and accuracy. Specifically, if you're interested or working in the religious publishing industry, this course will help you develop valuable expertise in the subject matter.

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