Course Description

Examines some critical issues and key themes associated with the Gospel of John, includes an extensive examination of the full text of the gospel with reference to several commentaries, and devotes some attention to the epistles of John.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Readings for graduate students will be more extensive and more advanced in nature. Graduate students will be expected to write a research paper that is more substantial than undergraduate assignments in both length and critical engagement with primary and secondary literature. Moreover, they will also be required to demonstrate a mastery of the subject matter through more extensive essay exams. In short, they will be expected to produce work that conforms to the higher standards of scholarship and research that guide the graduate school.

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Athena Title

Gospel of John

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Prerequisite

Third- or fourth-year student standing or permission of department

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Semester Course Offered

Offered spring

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Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

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Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will critically interpret the Gospel of John within its historical, literary, and cultural contexts, using academic methods of analysis.
• Students will analyze major themes in the text and explain how these shape John’s distinctive portrait of Jesus.
• Students will compare and contrast the Gospel of John with the Synoptic Gospels, evaluating similarities and differences in style, structure, and depiction of key events.
• Students will evaluate scholarly approaches (historical-critical, literary, social-historical, and reception-history methods) to the study of John, demonstrating the ability to weigh differing interpretations.
• Students will reflect on the influence of the Gospel of John in shaping Christian traditions, cultural expressions, and debates, while considering its continuing impact in contemporary contexts.

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Topical Outline

• Introduction to the Gospel of John John 1:1-18 John 1:19-12:40 John 13:1-20:31 John 21:1-25 The Significance of John's Gospel

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Institutional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.

Critical Thinking

The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.

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Syllabus

Select Faculty / Instructor to download syllabus:   Coppins, Wayne

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