The Shroud of Turin- a large linen cloth imbued with the haunting image of a tortured, crucified man- is the world's most famous, most intensely analysed, and most controversial relic. Believed by Christians to be the burial cloth that wrapped the body of Jesus of Nazareth, and as such the greatest relic of the Passion of Christ; and dismissed by non-believers and sceptics as a medieval fake. This class will introduce you to the debates and scientific evidence surrounding the Shroud, but more importantly place it within its historical context. Address some key questions: When does the Shroud first appear in the historical record? When and why did the veneration of Passion relics become an important dimension of Christian beliefs? Is the Shroud a medieval icon, a forgery, or something far more significant for the history of Christianity? Learn through illustrated lectures, online resources with question and answer time.