Religious Studies 222 Spring 2007

INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE

4 credits; CRN 34968
MWF 9:00-9:50 am, Living-Learning Center South 101

Professor: Dr. Daniel K. Falk: 
Office hours 814 PLC, WF 10:00-11:00 am, or by appointment
Tel. 541-346-4980, email dfalk@uoregon.edu

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COURSE DESCRIPTION

The Bible is sacred text for three major world religions and one of the greatest influences on Western thought and culture. The course provides an indispensable foundation for anyone interested in the Western world and its heritage, and/or religion in general. In this course, students will

· gain a basic knowledge of the Bible in terms of its content and function as literature, historical source, and as a religious text

· become familiar with the methods and main conclusions of modern critical scholarship on the Bible

· explore the impact of the Bible on Western history and culture, from antiquity to the present

No prior knowledge of the Bible is required, only a curiosity about this text, its origins, and its various uses and deployments throughout history. This course or equivalent approved by instructor is a prerequisite for some other Religious Studies courses.

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COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Reading: required textbooks, available at bookstore. Read Bible texts as assigned in workbook before each class.

The Bible: The Harper-Collins Study Bible, New Revised Standard Version including the Apocrypha.

OR an equivalent NRSV Study Bible that includes the Apocrypha, e.g., the Oxford Annotated Study Bible.

Although they are popular translations, neither the NIV or KJV are suitable for study purposes.

Workbook: Adam L. Porter, Introducing the Bible. An Active Learning Approach. Prentice Hall, 2005.

On-line readings: outlines, handouts, and some readings will be posted to the Blackboard site.

Creation Myths, including Enuma Elish. Click the link.

Written work:

All exercises in the workbook, as assigned in the course outline. These will be checked weekly in the discussion sessions. 20 points.

2 papers discussing specific topics based on close readings of the biblical text. These will be due at the discussion sessions on weeks specified, and will be worth 10 points each. Click here for instructions and questions.

Participation: Active participation in class and discussion groups is expected, and will be worth 5% of final grade.

Discussion group presentation: Each student will do a short presentation in their discussion section, to introduce discussion on the readings. Students must sign up for their presentation during the first week, and are responsible to present in the week they sign up for. Click here for instructions. Worth 10% of final grade..

Examinations:

Quizzes: There will be four quizzes, on Fridays weeks 2, 4, 6, 8. Together = 20% of final grade.

Final exam (exam week): 25% of final grade.

Exams will only be offered on the date and time specified.

It is critical that students keep up with the readings and attend classes and discussion groups. The corpus of texts is far too large for cramming at the end.

Papers are due at the beginning of discussion sections; late papers will be penalized a letter grade per day. Computer or printer failure is not an excuse: it is your responsibility to keep backups of your work. No email submissions except by prior arrangement with GTF.

	THE FOUNDATIONAL STORY	Workbook
Apr 2	Overview of the course The Story of the Bible	Ch. 1
Apr 4	Beginnings (on-line reading: Creation Myths)	Ch. 2-3 pp. 287-95
Apr 6	God Creates a People	Ch. 4-6
Apr 9	The People in Jeopardy	Ch. 7-9
Apr 11	Let My People Go	Ch. 10-11
Apr 13	Laws for the People	Ch. 12-13
	THE STORY OF THE PEOPLE
Apr 16	The People in the Land	Ch. 14-16
Apr 18	The People Choose a King	Ch. 17-18
Apr 20	The United Kingdom	Ch. 19-21
Apr 23	Northern Kingdom	Ch. 22
Apr 25	Southern Kingdom	Ch. 23-24
Apr 27	The Story Retold	Ch. 25-26

PROCLAMATION AND FAITH

Apr 30	Prophets	Ch. 27-28
May 2	Assyrian Period	Ch. 29
May 4	Babylonian Period	Ch. 30
May 7	Exilic and Post-Exilic Prophets	Ch. 31
May 9	Poetry and Wisdom	Ch. 32-33
May 11	Examples of Faith	Ch. 34-36
	GOOD NEWS FOR THE PEOPLE (Jesus and the Gospels)
May 14	New Testament background	Ch. 37-38
May 16	Gospel of Mark	Ch. 39-40
May 18	Synoptic Gospels	Ch. 41
May 21	Gospels of Matthew and Luke	Ch. 42-43
May 23	Gospel of John	Ch. 44
May 25	Historical Jesus	Ch. 45
	A NEW PEOPLE (Christianity)
May 28	No Class: Memorial Day
May 30	Acts	Ch. 46-47
June 1	Paul and the Gospel	Ch. 48-49
June 4	Paul’s Letters	Ch. 50-51
June 6	Paul’s Legacy	Ch. 52-53 pp. 298-303
June 8	Early Christian Apocalyptic	Ch. 54
June 12	FINAL EXAM, 10:15 am