The Bible and Its Interpreters SPRING 2020 Course #: CTI 304 1/ RS 315 Unique #: 29380/42350 Instructor: Joshua Jones Office Hours and Location: Course Description: What, according to the Bible, is required of us? What is our response to the deity? What is our place in the cosmos? With these questions in mind, this course seeks to cultivate both an understanding of the Hebrew Bible (the Christian Old Testament) and the New Testament and how biblical writers and subsequent interpreters grappled with notions of divine command and human obligation. We pursue this aim through close readings of the biblical texts themselves and the reception of biblical figures, themes, and ideas among its many interpreters. We begin by examining the historical sense of the Hebrew Bible as a product of the ancient Near East. We will then examine the practice of biblical interpretation among the competing Jewish ideologies at the turn of the Common Era, out of which emerged the early Christians and their writings. The later part of the course will highlight some of the major Jewish and Christian interpreters of the Bible in the pre-modern and modern periods and how, through their own view of “scripturalism”, these interpreters understood and formulated responses to questions of human nature, humanity’s relationship to the supernatural, and the meaning of life. Learning Objectives: 1) Perceive and comprehend the framework and contents of the Jewish and Christian Bibles. 2) Gain ability to do close readings and analysis of a broad variety of texts. 3) Acquire a more profound appreciation for the various ways the Bible has and is read and interpreted by (some of) its many readers. Flags: This course carries both the Global Cultures and Writing flags. Global Cultures Flag courses are designed to increase your familiarity with cultural groups outside the United States. You should therefore expect a substantial portion of your grade to come from assignments covering the practices, beliefs, and histories of at least one non-U.S. cultural group, past or present. Writing Flag courses are designed to give students experience with writing in an academic discipline. In this class, you can expect to write regularly during the semester, complete substantial writing projects, and receive feedback from me to help you improve your writing. You will also have the opportunity to revise one assignment. You should therefore expect a substantial portion of your grade to come from your written work. Writing Flag classes meet the Core Communications objectives of Critical Thinking, Communication, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility, established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course. Primary and secondary literature will be read in translation. It is crucial to remember that students come from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and traditions and that we are not only respectful of these differences but also willing to undertake the critical study of, what we will refer to in this course as, the Bible. Course Requirements: 1. Attend class (10%). All classes are a mixture of short lectures and extensive discussion. Students are expected to prepare for each class and come to each class ready to participate. In order to earn full credit for attendance, preparation (bring the assigned readings and your notes to each class as hard copies) and participation are essential. Out of courtesy, students are expected to arrive on time for the start of class and to remain seated until the end. Students are permitted two unexplained absences (including illness and continued lateness); subsequent absences (without prior arrangements made to make up each anticipated absence) will result in a deduction that amounts to ≅ 0.227% of the final grade for each absence (see also “In Case of Illness or Emergency”, below). In order to make up for the occasional missed class, the instructor may request a short assignment (no more than 250 words) to be completed and submitted before the next class; this assignment will be graded as credit/no credit. Except in cases of extraordinary circumstances discussed with me in advance, more than 22 absences will result in failure for the entire course. Electronic devices are permitted in class (but not for the final exam) only for the purposes of taking notes: any other use in class will count as an unexcused absence 2. Reading Reports (7 reports x 3% each = 21%). ONE report in each of the Weeks 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 13, and 14 (see Plan of Study, below). For one of the meetings in Weeks 2-4, 7-8, or 13-14 compose a reading report (typed; between 250-300 words). An outstanding report will 1) provide a concise summary of the assigned readings; 2) identify one or more problems or interpretative issues on the text itself that are worth discussing; and 3) raise additional and/or unanswered questions. Bring and submit your reports as hard copies in class. Each report will be graded out of 10 points. Late reports are subject to a penalty of 2% per calendar day and the last day to submit a report is 7 days after the due date. 3. Two Papers (23% each; 46% total). Paper One due Friday, February 28; Paper Two due Friday, April 3 (both in-class). Additional information on both papers and a list of topics will be distributed in class, no later than four weeks before the due date. Students are encouraged and welcomed to consult with the instructor on the progress of the paper. Both submissions must be handed in as hard copies at the beginning of class. Each paper must be typed with the following guidelines: 1700-2100 words in length, double- spaced, 1-inch margins all-around, 12-point Times New Roman font, page numbers at top or bottom, and consistently employ an accepted citation style (Turabian/Chicago; MLA). Number your pages but do not include any identifying marks on any of the pages of the paper. As a separate last page, include your name, student number, title of paper, and word count. Failure to follow these instructions will result in your paper returned ungraded or a deduction of 1%. Papers submitted on time will be graded and returned within ten days. Late submissions are subject to a 5% deduction per calendar day, and will not be accepted beyond 7 days after the deadline date. 4. Rewrite of Paper One or Paper Two (23%). Due Friday, May 8, in-class. The rewrite should be 1750-2400 words in length, and be typed with the guidelines as stated in #3 (“Two Papers”). Papers will be evaluated for clarity of thought and proper academic writing style. On a separate sheet of paper after your final paragraph (and before the title page), include a summary of 100-150 words (does not count toward word count) discussing how you incorporated the comments from the graded paper in your rewritten paper. Failure to follow these instructions will result in a deduction of 1%. Papers submitted on time will be graded and returned within ten days. Late submissions are subject to a 5% deduction per calendar day, may not receive any comments from the instructor, and will not be accepted beyond 7 days after the deadline date. Students are asked to keep all graded and returned assignments until the end of the course. Grading Scheme: Final grades will be assigned based on the scale below. The instructor also reserves the right to raise or lower a student’s grade by a slight amount, based on the instructor’s perception of the student’s effort throughout the course. Total % Letter Grade Total % Letter Grade 100-93.0 A 76.9-73.0 C 92.9-90.0 A- 72.9-70.0 C- 89.9-87.0 B+ 69.9-67.0 D+ 86.9-83.0 B 66.9-63.0 D 82.9-80.0 B- 62.9-60.0 D- 79.9-77.0 C+ < 59.9 F The question usually arises: how are assignments and the final exam graded? Generally, what I look for is how you are incorporating and critically reflecting upon the assigned readings. While informative, prior learning of the material is not an acceptable substitute for the requirements of this course. Summary of Requirements: 1. Attendance (10%) 2. Reading Reports (7 x 3 = 21%) See Course Schedule 3. Paper One (23%) Friday, February 28 Paper Two (23%) Friday, April 3 4. Rewrite of either Paper One or Friday, May 8 Paper Two (23%) Required Books (available at the University Co-Op Bookstore), which will be used extensively and a print copy must be brought to each class: • The New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha: New Revised Standard Version. Edited by Michael D. Coogan, Marc Z. Brettler, Carol Newsom, and Pheme Perkins. 5th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2018 (NOAB in the Plan of Study, below). ๏ In the event of an emergency, a copy of the NOAB is placed on Course Reserves (PCL Front Desk), and available for a 2-hour loan period. Call number: BS 191.5 A1 2018 N48 2018. This copy shall not be brought to class. In Case of Illness or Emergency... If you are sick, please notify the instructor by email and take care of yourself. If you have a family or health emergency that means you have to miss more than three classes, then I will need a note from a doctor or authority that explains your situation. Depending on the situation, we will work out the next steps after the absence. Might miss a deadline? Students must request special consideration from the instructor before the deadline date and time.