The Bible as Literature: The New Testament
BEN53001
103b Syllabus
Click here for printable syllabus in PDF format.
Text
- Full English text of the Bible in any version. New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) is recommended. Bring this to class each week. Electronic versions for tablet computers and cell phones are also acceptable.
- You will need a notebook in which you can insert A4 pages an keep your own notes.
- Supplementary reading available through the Moodle website.
Class Goals
This course is an introduction to the literature of the English New Testament in the Bible. The goals of the class are to
- Understand the range and diversity of the books within the New Testament: genres, forms, & motifs
- Know some of the most important narratives, personalities, and passages that have been influential in English and American literature.
- Understand important themes and concepts; and the history of the Biblical texts, including canonization and translation
- Become familiar with the principles of biblical interpretation, especially exegesis and hermeneutics.
- Gain sufficient understanding of the background of the Bible and methods of interpretation so that you will be able to continue reading and studying the Bible on your own, outside of class.
- See the influence of the Bible on other culture including important literature in English.
Class Requirements
- Form groups with 4-5 members each.
- Quizzes: There will be frequent quizzes at the beginning of class covering the reading for that week and ideas from the previous week.
- Reading Response: Occasionally, you will be asked to hand in a written response related to the reading. These form a part of your participation grade.
- Be on time and prepared for every class, presentation and assignment with or without reminders.
- Read the assigned reading before coming to class. Be prepared to discuss ideas from the passages.
- Presentations
- Group presentation to the class on a peripheral topic
- Presentation critique. Each group provides a critique of one other group presentation.
- Papers
- Paper 1 (two choices) (3-4 pages): a. Jesus in Art OR b. Rewritten Parable
- Paper 2 (two choices) (3-4 pages): a. Question/Problem and Answer/Solution OR b. The New Testament in literature.
- Papers are due at the beginning of class. Late papers will be accepted with the following penalties: -5 if late on the same day or within the first week, -10 for each week late.
Class Schedule and Policies
- Please refer to the class website for class policies, reading schedule, assignments, homework, class topics, and exam times.
- Refer to the Moodle Website for handouts, supplementary reading, forum, and glossary.
- Note: Since the official schedule is posted on-line, it is subject to change. Be sure you check it regularly.
Grading
| Participation |
10% |
(attendance, discussion, presentations, moodle forum, etc.) |
| Quizzes |
10% |
(frequent quizzes cover the reading and previous class lecture.) |
| Papers |
30% |
Two papers 3-4 pages each |
| Midterm |
20% |
(This covers key terms and ideas as well as content of Bible passages.) |
| Final |
30% |
(Same as midterm but focuses on information after the midterm.) |
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