Course Syllabus
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Ph.D./M.A. Seminar Mark J. Boda, Ph.D. Ethics in the Biblical Tradition Professor of Old Testament McMaster Divinity College (905) 525-9140x24095 PhD – CHTH G105—C01 [email protected] MA – OT 6ZH6 mcmasterdivinity.ca/facUlty/core/mark-j-boda Winter Semester 2018 TUesdays, 10:30-12:20 p.m. I. Description This course will investigate the field of Biblical ethics, exploring the ethical content and resources found in the Bible, the use of the Bible for Christian ethics, and the ethical character of the Bible. II. Purpose A. Knowing: To know the history of the discipline of Biblical ethics. To know the variety of ways the Bible contributes to ethical reflection within a Christian framework. To know the various ethical dilemmas evident within the Bible, especially for modern audiences. To have a basic grasp of the history of the discipline of ethics in general and how this discipline relates to the study of the Bible. B. Being: To embrace the resources of the Bible for ethical reflection today. To catch a vision for Christian ethical reflection. C. Doing: To sharpen one’s skills in interpreting the Bible especially as an ethical resource for Christian life and community. To develop a hermeneutic for Christian ethical reflection on and through the Bible. To construct a resource base for teaching moral dilemmas raised by the Biblical text. Biblical Ethics: PhD/MA (draft) Winter 2018 III. Reading ResoUrces Gill, Robin. A Textbook of Christian Ethics. 3rd ed. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 2006. Green, Joel B., Jacqueline E. Lapsley, Rebekah Miles, and Allen Verhey. Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2011. Podcast: Marianne Talbot’s “Romp through Ethics” from Oxford: http://podcasts.ox.ac.uk/series/romp-through-ethics-complete-beginners All required textbooks for this class are available from the College’s book service, READ On Bookstore, Room 145, McMaster Divinity College. Texts may be purchased on the first day of class. For advance purchase, you may contact READ On Bookstore, 304 The East Mall, Suite 100, Etobicoke, ON M9C 5K1: phone 416.620.2934; fax 416.622.2308; email [email protected]. Other book services may also carry the texts. IV. SchedUle Jan 9: Orientation to Course Jan 16: Orientation to Christian Ethics Jan 23: Orientation to Old Testament Ethics Jan 30: Orientation to Old Testament Ethics Feb 6: Orientation to New Testament Ethics Feb 13: Orientation to New Testament Ethics Feb 20: No class (Reading Week) Feb 27: Presentations on Ethics in Biblical Corpora Mar 6: Jewish Ethics Mar 13: Presentations on Biblical ethical issues Mar 20: Presentations on Biblical ethical issues Mar 27: Presentations on Biblical ethical issues Apr 3: Presentations on Biblical ethical issues Apr 10: Reflection on Ethics in Biblical Interpretation Biblical Ethics: PhD/MA (draft) Winter 2018 V. Learning Experiences A. Class Experiences This is a graduate seminar style class of collaborative learning in which professor and students are engaged in active learning together. Learning to critically (in its positive sense) engage material is essential to functioning in a graduate program and is expected of all students in our MA/PhD. It is expected that all students will not only attend these sessions, but also that they will assume responsibility for contributing to and learning from the experience. This means that readings will be completed prior to arrival in class and that student and presenter alike will pursue the acquisition of knowledge in the learning environment. It is expected that ALL members of the class will ask questions and contribute insights whenever opportunity is given, during and following presentations by professor or student alike. Students are graded on their level of preparation and contribution. Value: 10% B. Paper #1: This first research paper (20 pages) will provide an opportunity for the student to identify the way a particular Biblical corpus functions as an ethical resource for Christian ethics. The corpora in view include: Law, Narrative, Psalms, Wisdom Literature, Prophecy, Gospel, Epistle, Apocalyptic. The articulation of the student’s approach must be done in conversation with past approaches. Issues to be dealt with include the relationship between this corpora and the rest of the canon, the social and cultural contexts of the ancient texts and their relationship to social and cultural contexts today, as well as the unique features related to ethical reflection on and from this corpus. The paper should begin by dealing with broader issues related to ethical reflection, including some of the key challenges that arise from this corpus for application to Christian ethics, but should also include a significant section which showcases the approach to this corpora by revealing how a specific ethical issue is informed by a specific text or texts from this corpus. For orientation to the ethical dimension of these various corpora see the “Ethics” articles in the various editions of the Dictionary of the Old Testament/Dictionary of the New Testament (IVP), articles on various corpora in the Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics. The papers will be taken up and discussed within groups with critical review by group members. Value: 40% Due: Feb 10 at 11:59 pm Submission: minimum 20 pages .pdf digital format to Avenue to Learn (discussion section and assignment hand in). Biblical Ethics: PhD/MA (draft) Winter 2018 3. Paper #2: The second paper will provide an opportunity for the student to work through a major ethical issue raised by the Bible (OT or NT). This minimum 20 page research paper, which will be submitted for review by the class, will begin with an articulation of the student’s approach to Biblical Ethics (3-5 pages) before presenting a research paper on a specific issue. This issue should fall into the general areas found in Gill’s textbook: Politics, Economics, and Justice War and Peace The Environment Human Life and Interpersonal Relationships While the focus of the section dealing with a specific issue needs to be on the biblical text, the paper must show some interaction with the ethical reflections provided by Christian ethicists in Gill’s textbook and beyond. Value: 40% Due: March 10 at 11:59 p.m. Submission: Minimum 20 pages .pdf digital format to Avenue Learn (discussion section and assignment hand in). 4. Final reflection: At the final class of the semester each person will provide an oral testimony as to what has been learned from this course, especially how it has shaped your interpretation of the Old Testament and its use for Christian Ethics. Insights gained from the podcast by Marianne Talbot, including helpful connections for the discipline of OT Ethics, must be included here. This oral presentation will be based on a minimum 3 page written essay which must be handed in prior to this final class of the semester. Value: 10% Due: April 10, 10:29 a.m. Submission: Minimum 3 pages .pdf digital format to Avenue Learn (assignment hand in). Biblical Ethics: PhD/MA (draft) Winter 2018 VI. Format and Evaluation So I can properly evalUate yoUr work the following style gUide is to be Used for papers in this class. • MediUm for SUbmission: All material in this class is to be submitted in digital format to me via email. Please use .pdf format and ensure that what you send is what you want me to read. If you need a program for creating .pdfs go to http://primopdf.com for a free .pdf maker. • Style: All stylistic considerations (including but not limited to questions of formatting, footnotes, and bibliographic references) must conform to the MDC Style Guidelines for Essays and Theses http://www.mcmasterdivinity.ca/MDCStyleGuide. Failure to observe appropriate form will result in grade reductions. Title page, footnoting where appropriate and bibliography are not included in the length required. Material should be written in excellent modern literary English with proper grammar, spelling, punctuation and rhetoric (including an introduction, conclusion and logical flow of argument). If it helps an outline may accompany the “paper” but this is not included in the length of the “paper.” Secondary and Primary sources should be used, cited and footnoted appropriately. • Gender InclUsive LangUage: McMaster Divinity College uses inclusive language for human beings in worship services, student written materials, and all of its publications. In reference to biblical texts, the integrity of the original expressions and the names of God should be respected. The NRSV and TNIV are examples of the use of inclusive language for human beings. It is expected that inclusive language will be used in chapel services and all MDC assignments. • Citations: You must cite the source of your material very carefully using a consistent system, not only when quoting from a section, but also when drawing from it as resource. Quotations should be kept to a minimum as I favour integration of secondary literature (footnoted). • Statement on Academic Honesty: Academic dishonesty is a serious offence that may take any number of forms, including plagiarism, the submission of work that is not one’s own or for which previous credit has been obtained, and/or unauthorized collaboration with other students. Academic dishonesty can result in severe consequences, e.g., failure of the assignment, failure of the course, a notation on one’s academic transcript, and/or suspension or expulsion from the College. Students are responsible for understanding what constitutes academic dishonesty. Please refer to the Divinity College Statement on Academic Honesty ~ http://www.mcmasterdivinity.ca/programs/rules-regulations ***this is a special issue for those pursuing second and third degrees in theology. It is understood that students will be building on earlier ideas and work, but it is expected that students will not hand in material that is merely “warmed over” previous work.