Synchronous Online Course 16-Week Course (revised 1/1/2021)

Spring 2021 S255 of 3:30-4:45pm Tues-Thurs

Instructor: Dr. Terri Bednarz, RSM Office: Bobet 403 Phone: 504-865-3059

Office Hours: Office visits are not permitted for this course due to Covid. However, you are welcomed to visit me through my virtual office. Simply contact me by email to setup a video conferencing meeting ([email protected]).

*This syllabus subject to change, please use modules in CANVAS to keep current.

Course Platform: This course is a synchronous online course, which means you will need to be ready to meet online together with myself and other students every Tues and Thurs (3:30-4:45) following the same schedule as an on-campus course. Do NOT schedule another course or work during this time slot. This course requires learning via Zoom and Canvas. Our classes will consist of video presentations (typically 4-11 minutes in duration) which provide the content for our small and large group discussions. Using our course materials and some common internet programs, you will learn to critically read the and apply what you learn to modern dilemmas. In our class sessions, you will need to have an internet browser ready to use simultaneously with Zoom and Canvas. You will need to access the Jewish Annotated and the Synopsis of the Four Gospels DURING our class sessions. If you prefer hardcopies, you can order these texts, otherwise they are provided free for you. We will do a lot of hand-on learning with these books.

I have taught and developed this course in several formats: on-campus, hybrid and online. Please know that I value open discussions and questions. This course is designed to challenge you to develop and use your own critical lens. However, this is NOT a Sunday school version of Bible Study. We use scholarly approaches. This course aims to help you understand how Biblical interpretations shape present worldviews. We will be using special topics in this course so you can practice applying Biblical interpretations.

Required Materials:

You will need access to the following textbooks BEFORE the first day of class. Please pay attention to the format your book must be in…some functions of the books are not available in the digital versions. We will start using your books on the first day of class.

Synchronous Online Course 16-Week Course (revised 1/1/2021)

• The Jewish Annotated New Testament, eds. Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler (2nd ed. 2017). ISBN-13: 978-0190461850. o You need the second edition. You must get the hardcopy; the Kindle digital version does not have the footnotes or the critical annotations that you will need. Your assignments require you to use the footnotes and annotations! UPDATE: This book is now provided free in digital form. You may still purchase the hardcopy if you prefer to have a hard copy.

• Synopsis of the Four Gospels, Revised Standard Version (American Bible Society, 2010). ISBN- 13: 978-1585169429 UPDATE: This book is now provided free in digital form. You may still purchase the hardcopy if you prefer to have a hard copy. • Bible Gateway Plus o This is an online website that contains multiple versions of the Bible. Access free at Biblegateway.com.

Computer Requirement: You will need a laptop or desktop computer that enables you to participate in ZOOM sessions. It is best to use a large monitor or laptop to see video demonstrations and to see the various materials we will be working on. In other words, you can expect to have BibleGateway, your Jewish NT, the SYNOPSIS, and Canvas opened at the same time as we flip around in these materials. This course is NOT designed for a smart phone. You will be very frustrated trying to work with materials during our class discussions, if you are using a smart phone.

Course Description: In this course, we will explore in-depth the (Matthew, Mark and Luke) contained in the Christian Bible/New Testament. We will discuss the cultural and religious context out of which these texts originated. We will deepen our familiarity with the life of Jesus, his teachings and actions, and his religious and cultural world. We will examine the social and political issues of Roman-era Palestine in which the first Christians lived. Our studies will include discussions on the critical issues of our own time in light of similar effects of systemic oppression that confronted Jesus and his followers in the first century.

Student Learning Outcomes Students will be able… • To explain critical issues with Biblical manuscripts • To discuss the importance of an interpretive lens and the key translation issues. • To explain the social, religious, cultural and political world of Jesus • To describe key terms and religious figures found in each • To interpret the using an interpretive lens • To explain the prophetic exchanges of Jesus with religious elites • To summarize the life and death of Jesus • To offer a critique on how various images of Jesus shape Christian responses to critical issues of our time Synchronous Online Course 16-Week Course (revised 1/1/2021)

Class Procedure You are required to be ready to join the course online Tues and Thurs (3:30-4:45). We follow the same schedule as an on-campus course. Do NOT schedule another course or work during this time slot.

In preparation for class, students will watch videos, complete readings and assignments. Quizzes will be completed after class and before the 11:59pm Sunday deadline. Students are STRONGLY encouraged to take notes on videos for upcoming discussions and to use with their quizzes and assignments.

Here is a typical format for our classes: 1. Preparation - Assignments, Readings and/or Videos 2. Opening Zoom Session w/ Dr. Bednarz 3. Breakout Groups 4. Large Group Discussion 5. Breakout Groups 6. Large Group Discussions 7. Breakout Groups 8. Large Group Discussions 9. Closing Zoom Session w/ Dr. Bednarz 10. Assessment – Quizzes

Descriptions of Course Elements: • Video presentations. Each video typically last 4-11 minutes. In these presentations, the student will learn course material. • Individual and Collective Assignments. Most assignments will be completed by each individual student. Some assignments will be completed by working together in the Breakout groups. Students who have chosen not to be in breakout groups will need to complete these assignments on their own. • Zoom Sessions. The professor will start and end each class session using Zoom. The beginning Zoom session sets the discussion for the Breakout groups. The ending Zoom session reviews the preparation needed for the next class session. During the class, students will engage in Breakout Groups to discuss videos and assignments. Each Breakout Session will be followed by a return to the large group where we will offer insights from the Breakout session, discuss any needed clarifications or answers to lingering questions. Students will participate in several Breakout sessions during a class session. • Quizzes. Quizzes and exams consist generally of multiple choice, multiple answer and True/False. Quizzes are ALWAYS DUE 11:59pm shortly BEFORE Sunday midnight. For more information, see the course Late Policy. Synchronous Online Course 16-Week Course (revised 1/1/2021)

• BGs Checks. Breakout Groups (BGs) checks will occur at a random time during the class period. These checks verify student participation and serve as class participation credit. These checks are brief and timed. Students cannot makeup a missed check and missed checks are not counted in the final grade. • Absences. Two absences are excused. Every unexcused absence afterward results in a 2-point deduction for each absence. The deductions will be made to the final grade.

Grading Criteria 70% Quizzes & BGs Checks 30% Midterm/Final Exam

Professionalism • Late Work. Late work is unprofessional and unacceptable except in serious situations. It creates hardship for all parties involved (especially with online courses) and should be avoided unless there is illness or injury that justifies an exception. Late Work is penalized -5 pts per day for the time period the assignment/quiz is open (once the assignment/quiz closes, it cannot be completed and results in a failing grade). • Plagiarism. This is a grievous and serious breach of trust and constitutes unethical behavior, see University policy for consequences for plagiarism). • Absences. Students are required to attend online class sessions unless otherwise instructed.

Subject to Change This syllabus is subject to change.

Attendance: You are required to participate in Zoom sessions unless the instructor gives an exception. Signing into class with your icon does not guarantee a participation grade.

Accommodates and Disability Services (See University policy on accommodations and services).

Emergency Instructions In the event of an emergency, you will be instructed on how to continue your course work. However, since this is an online course, you will be expected to continue to complete the course requirements. If you have technical difficulties due to hurricane or another weather event or due to another emergency, contact Loyola IT desk and the instructor of the course at [email protected] within a week.

Course Schedule & Assignments

Synchronous Online Course 16-Week Course (revised 1/1/2021)

Please always access your course assignments and quizzes through the modules! Your modules will often have additional instructions. Some work will be done in breakout groups. Most assignments will NOT show up EXCEPT in the modules.

Week 0: Welcome – Preparations for Class (Complete BEFORE the First Class)

Week 1b: Learning How to Use Your Course Materials

Week 2a: Foundations of Biblical Interpretation – Developing a Critical Lens

Week 2b: Foundations of Biblical Interpretation – Key Concepts in the Gospels

Week 3a: Foundations of Biblical Interpretation – The Curious Problem of Manuscripts

Week 3b: Foundations of Biblical Interpretation – Who Was Jesus of Nazareth?

Week 4a: Foundations of Biblical Interpretation – The Historical Context of the Text

Week 4b: Foundations of Biblical Interpretation – How Perspective Changed the Gospels

Week 5a: NO CLASS

Week 5b: Foundations of Biblical Interpretation – Redaction Criticism

Week 6a: The – A Historical and Social Lens

Week 6b: The Gospel of Mark – Literary Devices and the Literary Lens

Week 7a: The Gospel of Mark – The Enigmatic Markan Parables*

Week 7b: The Gospel of Mark – The Comic and Absurdity in Markan Parables

Week 8a: The Gospel of Mark – When Mystery Confounds and Literalism Abounds*

MIDTERM EXAM Week 8b: NO CLASS

Week 9a: The Gospel of “Q” – Identifying Q and the Early Memory of Jesus’ Teachings

Week 9b: The (1-7) – Source, Textual and Redaction Critical Lenses

Week 10a: The Gospel of Matthew (8-18) – Literary Critical Lens

Week 10b: The Gospel of Matthew (19-26) – Source, Textual and Redaction Critical Lens Synchronous Online Course 16-Week Course (revised 1/1/2021)

Week 11a: The Gospel of Matthew – Social Context Approach & the Rhetoric of US vs. THEM*

Week 11b: The Gospel of Matthew – The Summon to Live Justly*

Week 12a: The Gospel of Matthew – Absurdity and Reversals in the Matthean Parables

Week 12b: The – Identifying the “L” Source

Week 13a: The Gospel of Luke – The Prophetic Voice in “L” Material*

Week 13b: The Gospel of Luke – Women and Slaves*

Week 14a: The Gospel of Luke – Parable of the Good Samaritan*

Week 14b: The Passion Narrative Source

Week 15a: The Passion Narratives of Our Times*

Week 15b: The Passion Narratives of Our Times*

Week 16a: Where Have We Been: Review for Final Exam

FINAL EXAM