Course Description
Although primarily a study of what Jesus taught, attention is given to the literary and environmental background of his teaching, the historical life of the teacher, and the contemporary validity of what he taught.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Additional readings and a research paper will be assigned along with more extensive examinations to reflect the graduate students' additional responsibilities.
Athena Title
Jesus
Prerequisite
Third- or fourth-year student standing or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered every odd-numbered year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
- By the end of this course, students will be able to summarize and explain the modern, critical study of the significance of Jesus, and express their own knowledge and viewpoints on this scholarship in both written and oral form with strong logic and sound reasoning.
- By the end of this course, students will be able to discuss the historical background of the life of Jesus by comparing different historical sources and evaluating their credibility.
- By the end of this course, students will be able to interpret the life, actions, and teachings of Jesus within his context, as well as the events surrounding his life and death in that context, using evidence to support their contextual interpretations.
- By the end of this course, students will be able to examine the sociopolitical factors that impacted Jesus’ life, ministry, and death, including the impacts of religious, ethical, and political projects.
Topical Outline
- 1. Modern Studies of Jesus (since 1800)
- 2. The Greco-Roman Context of the Ministry of Jesus
- 3. Judaism within the Roman Empire
- (a) Judaism within Palestine
- (b) Judaism outside Palestine
- 4. Jesus as a Teacher-Prophet
- (a) Key events in the life of Jesus
- (b) The teachings of Jesus (select passages)
- (c) Interpretations of Jesus in Paul and the Early Church
- 5. Summation & Conclusion
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
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.
