This seminar explores the meaning of apophatic spirituality, the
strategy and practice of unknowing in relation to the nature of God.
Pseudo-Dionysius says that divine mysteries lie “in the brilliant
darkness of a hidden silence.” He also says that it makes as much
sense to say God is a drunk as to say God is good: in fact, when it
comes to God, one can say nothing at all. Mysticism expresses a
paradox of desire and fear: on the one hand is the wish to see God
(“I long to see You face to face”) and on the other hand, is the
warning (“no one may see the face of God and live”). Basically, we
want to try understand those whose work features the darkness of
God. Students may consult some secondary literature as they try to
understand the context and content of these works, but we will
concentrate on the text themselves. Seminars are fun, but require
dedicated preparation and a willingness to engage material. Those
who like to sit back and take it all in should not consider this
one. You have to come to play every time. Reading list: Pseudo-
Dionysius, The Complete Works; Marguerite Porete, The Mirror for
Simple Souls; The Cloud of Unknowing; The Collected Works of John of
the Cross. Exam structure not yet decided. The grades in the course
will be assigned mostly on the basis of preparation and
participation and on the one grand term paper that each student will
write. Permission of instructor required for the course.