SCR 132 Prophets Winter 2017 Initial Course Outline Class Start Date & End Date The course will start on Tuesday 10th January (first session); the last class will take place on Tuesday 04th April, 2017. Anticipated date of final exam: Tuesday 18th April – to be confirmed by Registrar’s Office. Class Meeting Time & Room Tuesdays, 1.15 – 4.05 pm St Marguerite Bourgeoys Instructors Name: Stéphane Saulnier, Ph.D. Office #: 2-05 Office Hours: by appointment Phone#: 780-392-2450 ext. 2210 Email address: [email protected] Skype: stephsaulnier1 Course Description As listed in the 2016-2017 Academic Calendar, p. 56: This course considers the Canonical corpus of the Old Testament traditionally referred to as the Prophets. The literature is investigated as a distinct body and in relation to the Canon of Scripture, with particular emphasis given to historical (pre-exilic), literary (including text critical), exegetical and theological questions. The relationship between the Israelites and God—as portrayed by the biblical prophets—is explored from the perspective of messianism and ‘new covenant theology’. The seminar component of this course will invite students to engage, at a level pertinent to their program of study, with contemporary issues raised by the literature at hand. (pre-requisite: SCR 100) Course Objectives This undergraduate level course (C.Th.; Dip.Th.; B.Th.) aims to introduce students to the study of the biblical text through an apprenticeship of the critical and analytical skills necessary for the study of Scriptures, in the present case the material traditionally ascribed to the canonical Prophets. The course will focus in particular on the history, genre, themes and theology encountered in the Prophetic books. The course is text-based, and therefore a significant amount of time should be spent reading and digesting the primary sources. Academic Learning Outcomes: In terms of intended learning outcomes, by the end of the course each student should be able to demonstrate: tel 780.392.2450 10012 84 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6A 0B2 www.newman.edu An acquaintance with the prophetic message(s) proclaimed by the prophets, and the methods and tools pertaining to their interpretation with the mind of the Church. An understanding of the issues raised in these prophetic books and their relation to the entirety of Sacred Scripture. An ability to engage critically and analytically with textual, historical and theological issues raised by the material. An ability to communicate in a sophisticated manner, both orally and in writing, the results of their research and enquiries. An ability to develop further the skills already developed in earlier scripture courses in the programme. An ability to apply further their knowledge and understanding of these ancient texts to the Church today. Human and spiritual outcomes: By the end of the course each student should be able to identify areas and articulate ways in which the course has contributed to their overall human and spiritual development, possibly including and likely not limited to the following: A contemplative, spiritual, liturgical formation that will gain an additional dimension resulting from a greater acquaintance with Sacred Scripture. A greater awareness of their human maturing in light of their self-immersion in the text of Scripture. This will be particularly achieved through-student-led Lectio Divina. An ability to identify ways in which the course has contributed to equip them to embrace the pastoral role that will be theirs in the Church, as lay people or ordained ministers. An ability to identify ways in which the course content has nurtured a self-awareness of their role in the social aspect of their chosen ministries. Teaching and Learning Strategies: We will meet weekly, twelve sessions altogether (please note that there will be no session on Tuesday 21st February – Reading Week). Each session will last roughly 160 minutes. Each session will have up to four parts: a lecture, a close reading of the text, an exegetical presentation, a Lectio Divina (at undergraduate level, only BTh students will direct a Lectio). Course Assignments and Evaluation The 2016-2017 Academic Calendar, p. 16, stipulates that in order to obtain credit for an undergraduate course, a student must have completed all prescribed course requirements by the end of the given semester or session period. Generally this entails the following: All undergraduate courses, including Intersession and Summer Session courses, shall require the following: 1. One 10-12 page research paper or the equivalent in the form of student presentations, book reports, and/or short reflection papers. The total amount of written work including exams cannot exceed 25 pages. 2. One final examination or two term examinations. Exams may be oral, written in class or ‘Take home’. Oral exams should be 10 minutes in length. Written material submitted for assessment in this course will vary between 3750 words (for CTh students) and 4250 words (DipTh and BTh students). Page 2 of 13 With this in mind, the following will apply to the course: One exegetical paper [40% of final mark]: C.Th. students will submit a 1000 words exegetical paper; Dip.Th. and B.Th. will submit a 1500 words exegetical paper. One Word study: (20% of final grade) Each student will submit a 750 words long word study. Take Home examination [40% of final mark]: students will submit a 2000-words thematic study – topic to be negotiated with the instructor. Your final grade will be: Exegetical paper (40%) + Word Studies (20%) + Take home exam (40%) Required textbook: Leclerc, T.L., Introduction to the Prophets (Paulist Press; 2007). [in stock at NTC bookstore] PBC, The Inspiration and Truth of Sacred Scripture (Liturgical Press: 2014) [in stock at NTC bookstore] Recommended reading: Blenkinsopp, J., A History of Prophecy in Israel (Westminster John Knox; 1996 revised and enlarged) Brown, R.E. et. al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary (Prentice Hall: 1990). Pontifical Biblical Commission, The Jewish People and Their Sacred Scriptures in the Christian Bible (Libreria Editrice Vaticana: 2002). Benedict XVI – Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Verbum Domini (Libreria Editrice Vaticana: 2010). International Theological Commission – Theology Today: Perspectives, Principles and Criteria (2011).1 Course Requirements Attendance and participation to ALL sessions is expected. College policy - as expounded in the 2016/2017 Student Handbook - will be implemented. Class Preparation: this must be done thoroughly and carefully. Seminar preparation: In addition to the exegesis of the text each student will prepare regularly seminar topics for discussion in class. Submission of all required written assignments Lectio Divina: (10 to 12 minutes) Students on the BTh program will lead class in a short Lectio Divina on a selected passage from the Synoptic Gospels. This will start at 1.15 pm in the Blessed John Henry Newman Chapel. General Academic Information: Academic misconduct: Plagiarism and academic dishonesty are serious offences and will simply not be tolerated. See the 2016/2017 Student Handbook for details of the College policy dealing with academic dishonesty. Online access to this document is available at http://www.newman.edu/CurrentStudents.aspx. Acceptable writing style Manuals: American Psychological Association (APA) Publication Manual.2 1 See http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/cti_documents/rc_cti_doc_20111129_teologia-oggi_en.html Page 3 of 13 A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations – Kate Turabian (Chicago: University of Chicago). MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (New York: Modern Language Association of America). Late Submission Policy: Please do not ask for extensions. Late submissions are accepted. There is, however, a hefty PENALTY for this service: 10% off the grade per day late, up to a maximum of three days. Any assignment submitted more than three days late will be graded 60% if deemed of a quality that is ‘adequate’ or higher. Assignments submitted more than three days late that do not meet a ‘pass’ standard will be graded 40%. This is non-negotiable. There is, of course, room for manoeuvre in case of genuine emergency. For Incomplete courses regulations, see the 2016/2017 Student Handbook.3 Use of laptops/electronic devices in class. Students are welcome to use their laptop for note-taking purposes only. In my experience, such devices are intrusive and a source of unwelcome distraction in class. Unless directed by the instructor, under NO circumstances should the internet be accessed during class time. College policy applies (see the 2016/2017 Student Handbook). Grading policy: “The generally accepted class average for the C.Th., Dip.Th., B.Th., M.T.S., M.Div., G.C.C.S.A. and M.R.E., all of which are basic Degrees, diplomas and Certificates, is a ‘B’ (2016-2017 Academic Calendar, p. 18). NTC has adopted Alberta Alpha Four Point Grading System. This is set out in the 2016-2017 Academic Calendar, and is here reproduced for your convenience. Please note that an A grade is reserved for work which demonstrates excellence. GRADUATE UNDERGRADUATE Grade Mark Grade Grade Grade Mark Grade Grade meaning Point Meaning Point Excellent 90% - A+ 4.0 Excellent 90% - A+ 4.0 100% A 4.0 100% A 4.0 85 – 89% A- 3.7 85 – 89% A- 3.7 80%-84% 80%-84% Good 77%-79% B+ 3.3 Good 77%-79% B+ 3.3 73%-76% B 3.0 73%-76% B 3.0 70%-72% B- 2.7 70%-72% B- 2.7 Adequate 67%-69% C+ 2.3 Adequate 67%-69% C+ 2.3 63%-66% C 2.0 63%-66% C 2.0 60%-62% C- 1.7 60%-62% C- 1.7 Fail 57%-59% D+ 1.3 Marginal 57%-59% D+ 1.3 53%-56% D 1.0 53%-56% D 1.0 50%-52% D- 0.0 Fail 0%-52% F 0.0 For Grade Appeal Procedure, see the NTC Student Handbook 2016-2017.