YACOLS20 The Shroud of Turin: A Science-Friendly Relic

 

 

Welcome to the Spring 2020 registration for Yale Alumni College -  

New Haven!

 


 

 

Course Title:
The Shroud of Turin: A Science-Friendly Relic
 Professor:  Graziella di Tullio Zinn
 Date:

 Wednesdays, March 11 - April 15, 6:30 - 8 pm

 Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
 Registration fee:   $ 365.00   

 


Course Description

The Shroud of Turin is the most "mysterious" Christian relic and the single most studied object in the world by specialists of various disciplines. People Magazine called it "The Riddle of the Ages" (April 27, 1998) and National Geographic Magazine considered it "one of the most perplexing enigmas of modern times" (June 1980). It is a cloth that bears two faint subtle mirror images of a naked man with major wounds, which left stains on the cloth. An ancient tradition reveres this relic as the burial shroud that wrapped the crucified body of Jesus of Nazareth. In modern times, the Shroud of Turin has been a sign of contradiction, giving origin to a lively worldwide debate about its authenticity among scholars and the general public.

In this course, we will enter into the spirit of the debate, picking up the challenge of the Shroud authenticity. We will review historical evidence, iconographic representation and archeological findings, with a major focus on the most significant scientific analyses, experiments and tests that have been performed on this relic. Science is always a good sounding board when we try to analyze "mysteries", because it presents facts that can be verified and repeated, bringing some light to the unknown.

A large use of images and data will help us to appreciate the methods of the  multidisciplinary research done on the Turin Shroud and better understand the value of their results. Each class of 1 and 1/2 hour will include questions and discussion time, to evaluate the validity of some claims or some experiments relative to the Shroud. Participants will develop a comprehensive knowledge about the Shroud of Turin that will enable them to assess "personally" the authenticity of this controversial relic.


Required Purchase/download: 

1. Jackson J., The Shroud of Turin - A Critical Summary of Observations, Data and Hypotheses, The Turin Shroud Center of Colorado 2017 (PDF available online, or you can purchase a book)


2. Links to appropriate articles will be provided when necessary.

 

Syllabus: 

WEEK 1- March 11: Encountering the Shroud of Turin


WEEK 2- March 18: The First Scientific Answers


WEEK 3- March 25: The Scientific Climax of the STURP Team of Scientists


WEEK 4- April 1: The Formation of the Shroud Image


WEEK 5- April 8: Dating the Shroud: a multidisciplinary task


WEEK 6- April 15: Who is the Man of the Shroud?
 

To view our other courses please visit our website.

 

Graziella di Tullio Zinn, "The Shroud of Turin: A Science-Friendly Relic" Wednesday March 11 - April 15, 6:30 - 8 pm

$365   

 

Graziella di Tullio Zinn

Graziella di Tullio Zinn is a native of Venice, Italy. She holds a doctor in astrophysics degree from the University of Padua, a Master in Science and Faith and a Diploma in Shroud Studies from the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome. Other fields of interest include Social Justice, which led her to be for several years the chair of the Human Rights and Human Relations Commission of the Town of Hamden. She is a former Staff Astronomer of the University of Padua, where she was immersed in the scientific legacy of Galileo. 

Together with her husband - a Professor of Astronomy and Yale Alumnus together with two of their children - she has been part of the Yale Community for decades in various capacities - also in her semi-retirement years. Last year she shared her knowledge and passion for  exploring the Universe with the Yale Alumni College community, by teaching the course "Wonders of Astronomy". This year she is coming back with another challenging topic: "The Shroud of Turin", which she will explore with us in a scientific manner, leaving room for a possible dialogue between science and faith.

 

Scroll down for YACOL policies and regulations.

Class sizes will be limited to 25 participants. Class participation will be on a first come, first served basis. If a class has more than 25 participants sign up, a wait list will be started. Should a participant be placed on a wait list he/she will be notified by e-mail.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

Participants can cancel and receive a full refund up to February 18. After February 18, there will be no refunds issued.
If Yale Alumni College cancels any course prior to its start, you may sign up for another course or your fee will be fully refunded.

CODE OF CONDUCT:

•           Yale Alumni College expects all participants to be respectful of the thoughts and opinions of the others expressed in the classroom including faculty. 
•           All participants are encouraged to participate in the discussion and to express opinions freely in a way that respects others in the class. 
•           Participants should conduct themselves responsibly and respectfully at all times in the classroom and at any group outing organized by Yale Alumni Association. 
•           Food is allowed in class however please make sure to clean up at the end of class to respect the borrowed spaces. In addition, please consider any allergies of others in the class when sharing food. 
•           Please be aware of your personal limitations if you choose to consume any alcoholic beverage during class. 
•           In the event of disruptive behavior, YACOL reserves the right to terminate an individual's participation in the class without refund.

IMPORTANT REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
Please be sure to complete all pages of this informational form.   You MUST choose your course at the bottom of the Registration Page to properly complete Registration.  Then be sure to click the final "Click to Complete Registration" button. Your reservation has not been received by the YAA until you complete payment information on final screen.  Please double check that the name of the class you want to register for is correct before confirming registration.
You will receive a summary email immediately after you complete your registration.

PLEASE NOTE:
If you are registering your spouse or a family member, please select "Add a Guest" at the bottom of the main registration page. Please ensure you check the class name for each guest as well.  If you have any questions on registration, please contact Sharon.small@yale.edu. 

CONSENT TO USE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES.
By registering for, attending or participating in this event, I grant my permission to the Yale Alumni Association (YAA) and/or Yale University to photograph, videotape, and/or audio record my image and/or voice(and that of any minor guest attendees(s)) and the right to to use and reproduce such as images and/or recordings in all media, including digital media, for purpose of promoting Yale University and the YAA programs and events, other purposes in accordance with Yale's mission. I understand that I will have no approval rights with respect to use of these images.


 

Contact Information

Primary Contact

Sharon Small
Yale Alumni Association
232 York Street
New Haven , CT 06511
203 436 9213
sharon.small@yale.edu


Date & Location

Date: 3/11/2020 to 4/15/2020
Time: 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Location: Yale University

 

 

 

Visit our website at https://alumni.yale.edu/yale-alumni-college