Crucial to understanding the characteristics of "medieval" are the political, legal, economic, social, and cultural changes that took place in the fourth and fifth century Latin West. No one man's life and works better reflect these changes than St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo (354- . 430). This seminar will examine a critical period in western civilization through the eyes of this man, his friends, and his opponents, who bridged the end of classical antiquity and the beginning of the Middle Ages. From readings in primary texts we will discuss the origin and history of medieval notions regarding, for example, the nature of God, sin, predestination, ascetism, monasticism, pilgramage, the role of women, marriage, sex, the unity of church and state, the cult of the saints, private property, lordship and vassalage.