This unit explores the understanding and veneration of the Virgin Mary in the Early Church and within Coptic tradition, with particular attention to ecclesiology, Christology, iconography, and liturgy. Through critical engagement with Scripture and its interpretation within the patristic tradition, students will examine the development of Marian theology and the place of the Virgin Mary in Christian thought across the centuries. Particular attention will be given to Marian doctrines as articulated in Copto-Arabic literature, alongside an examination of the liturgical traditions and devotional practices associated with the Virgin Mary in the ancient, medieval, and modern Coptic Church.
Unit code: DL9330A
Unit status: Approved (Minor revision)
Points: 24.0
Unit level: Postgraduate Elective
Unit discipline: Liturgy
Delivery Mode: Blended
Proposing College: St Athanasius College
Show when this unit is running| 1. | Evaluate the Coptic church`s teaching and its understanding of the Virgin Mary |
| 2. | Critically analyse and compare the ecumenical practices and representations. |
| 3. | Critically evaluate the biblical and patristic texts relating to the theology of the Virgin Mary |
| 4. | Assess critically the liturgical and iconographical representations in various traditions. |
| 5. | Demonstrate a capacity to research a specific topic in a critically rigorous, sustained and self-directed manner. |
Prerequisite: 1xCT or DL unit.
Asynchronous and synchronous lectures and tutorials
| Type | Description | Word count | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 4000 | 50.0 | |
| Essay | 4000 | 50.0 |
Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Naomi Wolfe on 18 Sep, 2026
Unit record last updated: 2026-09-18 08:45:48 +1000