"Francis of Assisi " Prof. William R. Cook and Ronald B. Herzman, (12 Lectures / 30 Minutes Per Lecture / 6x CD - The Great Courses)
This 12-lecture academic series functions as a comprehensive historical and cultural overview of the transformative medieval movement sparked by one of history's most compelling religious reformers. Co-taught by Professors William R. Cook and Ronald B. Herzman of the State University of New York at Geneseo, the curriculum analyzes early Franciscan thought not as static theology, but as a dynamic shift that fundamentally restructured Western art, literature, and social values. The syllabus explores how the strict ascetic principles of radical poverty and communal humility challenged established medieval ecclesiastical structures while simultaneously inspiring new directions in gothic art, vernacular literature, and monastic rules. Spanning 6 audio compact discs originally released in 2000, the course uses extensive textual and visual analysis to demonstrate how a localized movement in a small Italian commune grew into a globally pervasive spiritual and intellectual tradition