Module manager: Dr Marta Cobb
Email: m.k.d.cobb@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
The later Middle Ages saw an increase in opportunities for women within the Christian church, the creation of many women saints, and the composition by women of many texts exploring spiritual experiences in their lives. In this module we will examine the content and context of these texts, as well as the way these women sought to establish their authority as visionaries at a time when the Church and society in general were largely dominated by men. Those who were successful might gain followers and eventually become saints, but those who failed might be executed as heretics. This module will also consider the issue of how these women bridged the perceived divide between the body and the soul, whether by denying, transcending, or transforming the female body. Questions about wider attitudes to women's writing in the Middle Ages, the position of mystics in the Christian church and the literary qualities of their writings will be addressed, as well as the ways in which women's mystical writing reflects contemporary expressions of popular piety, such as manuscript art, paintings and sculpture, with particular reference to images of the Crucifixion. The module will focus on the writings of the English mystics Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe, and on a range of Continental European women's writing, read in translation. <p>Content note: this module engages with a range of issues relating to the body and sexuality. As such, the content, reading, and discussion will necessarily engage with some sensitive issues, including the threat of rape as well as torture and abuse in addition to behaviours resembling self-harm and eating disorders. We will also look at medieval artwork and texts depicting the Crucifixion, which will involve images and descriptions of blood, torture, and physical suffering. We will, of course, endeavour to treat these sensitively in class, but if you have any concerns about the content of the module, please contact the module tutor.</p> <p>Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module. </p>
The objectives of this module are:
- To gain an insight into the content and context of mystical writing by women in late Medieval Western Europe;
- To consider the opportunities for a religious life available to women at this time, the social, political and religious factors which affected the production of literature by women, and the ways in which women's mystical writing reflects contemporary expressions of popular piety, such as manuscript art, paintings, and sculpture, with particular reference to images of the Crucifixion as well as male-authored mystical writings;
- To compare the development of women's mystical writing across Europe in terms of its literary style, public reception, and religious status;
- To further develop generic and transferable skills.
On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Identify and discuss as evidence a range of medieval primary sources, especially literature and artwork.
2. Analyse and contextualise this primary source material along with secondary reading.
3. Demonstrate that they can express their opinions and develop an argument using both oral and written expression.
4. Develop writing and research skills.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Study and interpretation of primary sources, including material culture.
6. Development and substantiation of your own arguments considering primary source material within the historical context.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 2 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 179.6 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20.4 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
You will receive formative feedback for both of your two essays. The feedback from the first essay will be received well in advance of the deadline for the second essay. The second essay is weighted significantly more than the first essay so that you can incorporate feedback from your first essay into your preparation for the second. You will also have the opportunity to meet with your tutor for one-to-one meetings to get feedback on your approach to each essay prior to the deadlines.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 40 |
| Coursework | Essay | 60 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 28/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team