SYLLABUS
HOLY CROSS COLLEGE
DEPARTMENT OF
PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES
RELIGION 100:
BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS
SPRING 2002
PROFESSOR: EDWARD T. GAREAU, S.T.L., S.S.L.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is a college level introduction to the basics of both Old and New Testament Biblical literature. It is intended to enable the beginning student to study the Bible as an inspired literary interpretation of the authentic faith experience of both the People of Israel and the early Christian Church. Special focus is placed on the development of this literature in its formative, historical faith context. Different writings from both the Old and New Testaments are studied from this point of view. Selected individual texts are examined in depth. Emphasis is placed on appreciating the forms of expression which this literature took as it came into being. Particular stress is placed on student engagement of the text itself. Also stressed is the impact which appreciating the Bible from this perspective can have on one's experience of the Word of God within the context of contemporary Christian Belief.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. To awaken in the beginning student an appreciation for the formal study of the Biblical text.
2. To enable the beginning student to read and appreciate the Biblical text as a literature
which interprets faith.
3. To accomplish these objectives by familiarizing the student with the content, background, purpose and meaning of selected samples of Biblical literature as interpreted by contemporary scholarship.
4. To challenge the student to use contemporary Biblical scholarship to critically research, reflect upon, discuss and personally respond in writing to the literature of the Bible in both its Old and New Testament expressions.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
READINGS:
Readings as assigned from:
Etienne Charpentier: How to Read the Old Testament
Etienne
Charpentier: How to Read the New
Testament
Luke
Timothy Johnson: The Writings of the
New Testament
Donald Senior: The Catholic Study Bible
Other readings as necessary for research projects.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS:
1. A single page essay expressing one's own personal understanding of an assigned text from the Old Testament without the benefit of research. Due: January 24, 2002.
2. A
4-5 page essay discussing in depth how one's initial appreciation and
understanding of the assigned text as expressed in assignment 1 was changed
and/or affected by research, study and reflection. Due March 28, 2002. (20
pts)
3. A
two page reflection on a personally selected psalm from the Book of Psalms. Due
April 4, 2002. (10 pts)
4. A
6-8 page presentation explaining what a gospel is to someone who does not know,
using the Gospel according to Mark as a model and example. Due Tuesday May 7 by 4 PM. (35 pts.)
Note:
1. The
written assignments above must be TYPED,
DOUBLE SPACED, NO LARGER THAN 12 POINT, IN GOOD ENGLISH WITHOUT SPELLING OR
GRAMMATICAL ERROR! THE ABILITY TO EXPRESS ONESELF EFFECTIVELY IN WRITING IS A
SIGNIFICANT GRADE FACTOR IN THIS COURSE.
2. The
1st , 2nd and 3rd of the above written
assignments must be submitted at the beginning of class on the designated due
date or they will NOT BE ACCEPTED and
credit will be lost. The 3rd assignment must be submitted at my
office (194 Vincent Hall ) by the
stipulated time. The only exception to
this policy will be if a student has contacted me beforehand and received a
permission form signed by me authorizing an extension. This permission form
must be submitted with the assignment on the agreed upon date or the assignment
will not be accepted.
3. If
you have difficulty writing good, acceptable English, make use of the
LEARNING CENTER in preparing your assignments. This is not a mere
suggestion. It is a requirement if your writing skills are not satisfactory.
EXAMINATIONS AND QUIZZES
Announced periodic examinations.( 25 pts)
.
Note:
There will be NO adjustment of midterm exam schedules due to travel plans! Arrange and clarify plane schedules and advanced ticket purchases NOW!.
CLASS ATTENDANCE AND
PARTICIPATION (10 pts)
Cfr. institutional policy in the Student Handbook p. 4
There will be required written responses to some reading
assignments. Forms for these responses will be provided. These must be
submitted at the beginning of the next class or they will receive no credit,
adversely affecting the grading of class participation.
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday-Wednesday-Friday: 8:30-10:30
Tuesday-Thursday 8:30- 9:50
Afternoons by appointment.
OFFICE LOCATION:
194 Vincent Hall
Phone: (574) 239-8388 (Do not attempt to call me at home; leave a message on my
voice- mail here at school)
Email: egareau@hcc-nd.edu
COURSE SCHEDULE
Jan 15 Introduction
17 Approaching the study of the Bible pp 5-10
RG 1-4
22 3,4,5 pp 11-21
RG 9-12, 31-35
24 6,
Ch 1 pp 22-27 Exodus, first written assignment due
29 Ch 1 pp 28-33
31 Ch
1 Class notes and handouts on Ex 13-15
Feb 5 Ch 2 pp 34-40 The Yahwist and Genesis 2-3
7
Ch 2 Exam on Intro & Ch
1, Gen 2-3 (research reading)
12 Ch
2 Gen 2-3 (research reading)
14 Ch
3 pp 41-47 The Prophets
19 Ch
3 pp 50-53 Exodus 3: The Divine Name: Yahweh
21 Ch
3 Notes on the Divine Name; (research
reading)
26 Ch
4 pp 54-60, RG 81-84 Covenant in the Old Testament
28 Ch
4 Covenant continued, RG 105-113 (research reading)
7 Ch
5 The Exile pp 61-73, RG 37-56 The
Priestly History
19 Ch 5 Genesis 1
(research reading)
21 Ch 5 Genesis
1 continued (research reading)
26 Ch
6&7 pp 74-92
28 Conclusion pp
108-122, RG 16-30 The OT as The Word of God
Apr 2 The World of the New testament: NT pp 22-33 OT Essay
due
4 The World of the New Testament
9 The Claims of the First Christians: Johnson
pp 86-97
11 Resurrection Faith:
Johnson pp 98-113; NT 115-117
16
Jesus in the Memory
of the Church: Johnson pp115-140
18 Jesus in the Memory of
the Church
23 The Gospel of
Mark: Johnson pp 148-158
25 Mark continued:
NT pp 57-68
30 Mark : Johnson
pp 159-171
May 2 Particular issues in Mark; Conclusion
May 7 Gospel paper due by 4:00pm – Room V-194
JAN 16: Introduction
18: Introducing the Bible: RG 1-8
23: The Bible in the life of the Church: RG
16-22 1st ESSAY DUE
25: The Catholic understanding of the Bible as the Word of God
29: Biblical History and the History of the Bible: RG 9-12/31-35
FEB 1: Introduction to the Pentateuch RG 36-47. EXAM on classes 1-4
6: Pentateuch continued RG 47-56
8: Pentateuch completed; Introduction to Genesis RG 56-66
13: Genesis 1 RG 58-60
15: Genesis 1; Introduction to Gen 2-3 Research reading
20: Gen
2-3 Research reading EXAM on History and Pentateuch
22: Gen 2-3 Research reading
27: The Stories about Israel's Ancestors: Gen 12-50 RG 66-73
MAR 1: Introduction to Exodus RG 74-80
6: Exodus 3: The Revelation of God's Name as Yahweh Research reading
8: Exodus 13-15: The Victory at the Sea EXAM on Genesis 1-3
20: Ex 13-15; Covenant in the OT
22: Covenant and Deuteronomy
23: Introduction to the New Testament J 1-22
2nd ESSAY DUE
27: The World of the New Testament J 23-39
29: Judaism at the time of the New Testament J 41-82 EXAM OT Issues
APR 3: The Christian Experience J 85-114
5: The Christian Experience
10: Jesus in the Memory of the Church J 114-141
` 17: Mark's Gospel J 144-150
19: Mark's Gospel J 150-158
24: Mark's Gospel J 159-171
26: Further considerations of Mark's Gospel
1: Further considerations of Mark's Gospel
3: Project issues
8: PROJECT DUE BY 5PM