Assessment

2 minor essays each worth 25%, 1 final essay worth 50%

Module Aims

This module is a close reading of the entirety of Augustine’s Confessions. This module builds the learners ability to read primary philosophical texts while also acquainting the learner with one of the foundational texts in western philosophy and Christian philosophy, in particular. It focuses specifically on the metaphysics of creation elaborated in the Confessions in concert with the theme of desire and the ordo amoris. It shows that the ordo amoris is reflective of, and dependent upon, Augustine’s conception of a metaphysics of creation.

This module aims to aid learners by:

-rooting learners in a key figure of the Western and Catholic intellectual heritage -aid in the development of ethical values

Learning Outcomes

• — -Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the text of The Confessions and its structure.
• — -Read and explicate a primary philosophical text.
• — -Exhibit the ability to conceptually explain Augustine’s understanding of the metaphysics of creation presented in The Confessions.
• — -Exhibit the ability to conceptually explain Augustine’s understanding of the ordo amoris presented in The Confessions.
• — -Demonstrate the ability to philosophically explain Augustine’s synthesis of a metaphysics of creation with the ordo amoris.