Schedule

This page was last updated 12-1-2015 at 8:20 am.

This schedule is subject to change at the Professor’s discretion.  It is the responsibility of each student to keep up with schedule changes, even if absent. 

Revisions to original syllabus are marked in THIS COLOR RED.

Note:  we are using Canvas not Sakai.

Assignments should be completed in time for class on the day on which they are listed on the syllabus. Students should bring to class any texts assigned for the day or detailed notes.

Part I: What is a socio-historical and literary study of the NT anyway??

Week 1: August 25-27

T  Introduction: What is religion? What is this class?

Th What is the Academic Study of the Bible? What is the New Testament?

In order to receive a passing grade for class participation, students must read Chapter 1 and attend class Thursday. Students who add the course after August 27 must provide a 1-2 pp. paper explaining the significance of this reading assignment in their own words and how Ehrman’s points might affect their own personal experience of this course.

Part II: The Greco-Roman and Jewish Context

Week 2: Aug 31 – Sept 4

Monday: Register as a user for this coursewide blog by noon.  (Check your email for a link.)  Registering will count for 20 points in your “Blog Setup” grade; full credit for registering on time

Course blogging groups: Tuesday Reader (A), Thursday Reader (B), Responder (C), Remixer (D)

T  The Roman World

Th Diversities of Judaism in the Roman Empire

Week 3: September 7-11

Groups A-D all take notes, write a blog post about what interests you.  Connect the video back to the readings by Ehrman and Levine last week.  Comment on your peers’ blog posts.NO COMMENTS required. Blog post needs only to be 6 sentences minimum. revised 9/5/15

T Jesus and Judaism

Th Literacy & Literature

Part III: Jesus and the Readers and Writers of the Gospels

Week 4 Sept 14-18

Course blogging groups: Tuesday Reader (A), Thursday Reader (B), Responder (C), Remixer (D)

T Mark: The Secret Messiah

  • Ehrman Chapter 5
  • Mark (the entire Gospel of Mark)
  • STUDY GUIDE
  • Quiz 2

THURSDAY Extra Credit:  Attend Dr. Jim Groom’s Lecture on Digital Pedagogy, WPC 140.  Lunch (pizza) served in hallway starting at 11:30, lecture begins promptly at noon.  Make sure Dr. S. sees you (and sees you being attentive) for extra credit.

Th The “Synoptic Problem”; Jesus’ Birth and Baptism

  • Review Ehrman Chapter 5 section “The Synoptic Problem”
  • On Canvas: Throckmorton, Gospel Parallels selections
  • Mark, review chapter 1
  • Matthew 1-4
  • Luke 1-5:11
  • Ehrman Chapter 6 section entitled “The Importance of Beginnings”; Chapter 7 section entitled “Luke’s Birth Narrative in Comparative Perspective”
  • STUDY GUIDE for Synoptic Problem
  • STUDY GUIDE for Jesus’ Birth and Baptism

Week 5:  Sept 21-25

No traditional Blog Groups this week; for Tuesday read and review.  See Thurs for blogs.

T  Jesus’ Life and Teachings in Matthew & Luke

  • Matthew 5-25
  • Luke 5:12-chapter 21
  • Ehrman unread sections of Chapters 6 & 7
  • STUDY GUIDE
  • Quiz 3 (will contain questions about Mt & Luke from Ehrman, bible, and Thursday’s pre-lecture)

Th Continued

ALL GROUPS:  Write a Reader style blog post about Mt and/or Lk.

Also for personal blogs register domain (20 points in “Blog Setup”), install WordPress (20 points in “Blog Setup” grade), pick a theme (20 points in “Blog Setup” grade). (moved to October 6)

Week 6: Sept 28-Oct 2

Course blogging groups: Tuesday Reader (C), Thursday Reader (D), Responder (A), Remixer (B)

T Jesus’ Trial, Death, and Resurrection in the Synoptics

Th Jesus as Divine Logos

Week 7: Oct 5-9

Course blogging groups the same: Tuesday Reader (C), Thursday Reader (D), Responder (A), Remixer (B)

T Jesus’ Life and Teachings in the Gospel of Thomas and “Lost Gospels”

Th The Historical Figure of Jesus; From Jesus to the Gospels to Early Christianity

  • Ehrman Chapters 9 & 10
  • Canvas: Fredriksen, “Did Jesus Oppose the Purity Laws?”
  • STUDY GUIDE

Fri Writing & Creating #1 Deadline A (Make post private with password; email Dr. S link and password)

Week 8:  Oct 12-16

No Course Blog assignments

T Quiz 6 moved to Week 9 & Jesus of Montreal in class; Deadline B for Writing and Creating #1

Th Finish and Discuss Jesus of Montreal

Fri Deadline C for Writing & Creating #1

Week 9: Oct 19-23

Course blogging groups: Tuesday Reader (B), Thursday Reader (A), Responder (D), Remixer (C)

T Jesus’s Birth and Childhood

Th Mary Magdalene

Part III:  Paul and His Legacy

Week 10:  Oct 26-30 

Course blogging groups the same: Tuesday Reader (B), Thursday Reader (A), Responder (D), Remixer (C)

T Luke’s Second Act(s)

Th Meet the Apostle

  • Ehrman Chapters 12-13, Chapter 17 on 2 Thessalonians
  • 1 Thessalonians
  • 2 Thessalonians
  • STUDY GUIDE

Week 11:  Nov 2-Nov 6

Course blogging groups: Tuesday Reader (D), Thursday Reader (C), Responder (B), Remixer (A)

T Sex in the City

Th  Law and Order: Galatians, Philippians, Philemon

Week 12: Nov 9-13

Course blogging groups the same: Tuesday Reader (D), Thursday Reader (C), Responder (B), Remixer (A)

T Romans

  • Romans
  • Ehrman Chapter 16
  • STUDY GUIDE for Romans
  • Quiz 9

Th Colossians, Ephesians, the Pastorals

UPDATE: Thurs we will focus on Ehrman ch17 and the Household Codes in Ephesians and Colossians.  Tues 11/17 we will discuss the Pastorals (1, 2 Timothy and Titus) with the Acts of Paul and Thecla.

  • Ehrman Chapter 17
  • Colossians
  • Ephesians
  • 1 Timothy
  • 2 Timothy
  • Titus
  • STUDY GUIDE for Colossians and Ephesians — Focus on Household Codes
  • STUDY GUIDE on the Pastorals

Week 13: Nov 16-20

Course blogging groups: Tuesday Reader (A), Thursday Reader (B), Responder (C), Remixer (D)

T Women in the Pauline Churches
UPDATED

  • Ehrman, Chapter 18
  • Canvas: Acts of Paul and Thecla
  • STUDY GUIDE on Paul and Thecla
  • 1 Timothy
  • 2 Timothy
  • Titus
  • STUDY GUIDE on the Pastorals
  • Quiz 10

Part 5: Persecution, Identity Crises, and the End of the World

Th Christian and Jewish Self-Definition; Pagans and Persecution

(Note:  Class does not meet on Th– Dr Schroeder is at the American Academy of Religion/Society of Biblical Literature Conference. Responders can choose to respond to Tuesday’s posts, Tuesday’s class discussions, or Thursday’s posts.)

Week 14: Nov 23-27 Class doesn’t meet (conference and Thanksgiving)

Week 15: Nov 30-Dec 4

Course blogging groups: Tuesday Reader (C), Thursday Reader (D), Responder (B), Remixer (A)

T Christians and Christians

  • Ehrman Chapter 20
  • James
  • Jude
  • 2 Peter
  • 1, 2, 3 John
  • STUDY GUIDE

Th Apocalypse Now:  Revelation

Finals week

Monday at 10 am:  Deadline A for:

  • Writing & Creating Assignment #2 (Post to blog as private post; post the link and password to the assignment entry in Canvas). (Note the change to instructions as of 12/1)
  • Intro & bio for website
  • Grades/comments will be returned end of day Tuesday

Wednesday  at 10 am:  Deadline B for:

  • Writing & Creating Assignment #2 
  • Intro & bio for website

Thursday at 6 pm:  Deadline C for:

  • Writing & Creating Assignment #2. Change posted 12/1: Post link in the assignment entry in Canvas; be sure to add comment in Canvas if you are revising a deadline A piece. If your post is password-protected, add the password to the Canvas entry.
  • Intro & bio for website