10% of the final mark is based on students' participation in discussion. 

Participation is assessed via discussion in the weekly seminars: this is not assessed on the quality or length of the contribution, but simply on  participation in our discussions. Active participation which demonstrates preparation and engagement with the themes of the tutorial is the best way of ensuring full marks for this task, which helps build crucial communication skills. It is naturally impossible to participate in the discussion if one does not attend the tutorial. Students will receive one mark for each seminar discussion contributed to.

Compare the following Encyclopaedia entries on ‘monasticism’ (both available via Leganto under week 3):

Goehring, James E., ‘Monasticism’, Encyclopedia of Early Christianity, ed. Everett Ferguson, 2nd edition (New York 1999), pp. 769–775.

Gribomont, J. and  Sheridan, M., ‘Monasticism’, Encyclopedia of Ancient Christianity, ed. T. Oden et al  (Downers Grove 2014), pp. 821–823.

Briefly, in no more than one A4 page (circa 400 words) address the following points: this should be an impressionistic discussion, and does not have to be referenced or footnoted.

• What is the main historical and chronological focus of the article?

• What are major types of sources referred to in the article?

• What are major issues raised?

• How successful do you think the article is as an overview of monasticism? How well does it serve as an introduction? What else would you want to know?

Students must give one 15-20 minute presentations during the semester on the topic of the one of the weekly topics (which one is up to the student). The presentation should concentrate on the primary sources for each question, and reveal the student’s own judgment on them, but help should of course be sought from modern discussions. Students should formulate a hypothesis about the evidence and present it, supporting this form the primary sources.Following their presentation, the student must be prepared to take questions and comments from the lecturer and other students on their paper.

The mark for the presentation will be based on:

• the level of preparation as evidenced in the presentation;
• the degree to which students have analysed the primary sources;
• the clarity and structure of the presentation;
• delivery and communication skills;

The Major Essay must be 2500 words in length. As much bibliographical material as possible (and permitted by copyright law) has been placed in Leganto. The bibliography on monasticism available on the iLearn site will put this material in order according to subject. If you require directions in using this bibliography, please consult me as soon as you have chosen an essay topic. Please make use of the considerable electronic holdings of Macquarie University Library, e.g. JSTOR, and the Coptic Encyclopedia, available in its entirety online (see Delivery and Resources).

Students must write on one of the following essay topics:

(1)     Discuss the relationship between the ‘desert’ and the ‘city’ as it is presented and in monastic literary texts and the documentary sources (especially the papyri). In what terms is this relationship framed in our various sources? How does the picture derived from different sources inform our understanding of early monasticism in Egypt? ‘Desert’ and ‘City’ should both be understood broadly, encompassing both the physical environment and the relationship of the monastic and secular worlds.

(2)      How does the image of  monasticism which we can derive from the documentary sources (papyri and inscriptions) compare or contrast with that which we receive from the literary sources in the manuscript tradition (e.g. hagiography, saying, rules, letters)? What are the reasons for any differences? How much do any differences have to do with what is being depicted, and how much to do with the types and transmissions of the various sources?

(3)      Discuss the development of female monasticism in Egypt and its relationship with both male monasticism, and earlier traditions of female asceticism within Christianity. What factors effect the way female monasticism manifests in Egypt, and what role do the nature of the source play in the image of female ascetics we have?

The Major Essay must be referenced according to the standards described in Requirements and Expectations, and be accompanied by a bibliography of works consulted, separated into Primary and Secondary (i.e. Ancient and Modern) sources.