Course Description
Study of a particular book, theme, period, or method in the field of New Testament Studies/Early Christianity.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate assignments will be more advanced in character in
order to reflect the graduate students' additional
responsibilities and will also be evaluated at a higher level.
Specifically, graduate students will be required to complete a
multi-staged research project that is tailored to meet the
requirements of an academic conference paper in the field of
Biblical Studies. This will include a) a 250-word abstract that
sets forth what they will accomplish in their paper, b) a well-
researched conference paper that advances a clear line of
thought in dialogue with other scholars, and c) a presentation
of their paper to the class, which will include responding to
questions from the teacher and other (graduate) students in the
class.
Athena Title
NT Studies Seminar
Undergraduate Prerequisite
RELI 4080/6080 or RELI 4081/6081 or RELI 4082/6082 or RELI 4083/6083 or RELI 4084/6084 or RELI 4085/6085 or RELI(GREK) 4089/6089
Graduate Prerequisite
Permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The aim of the course is to take students beyond the introductory level of Biblical studies. By concentrating on a particular element of the subject — a book or group of books, an ongoing theme, a particular century or age — students will both (1)learn the specific content on that subject and (2) learn the larger methodological point: that biblical studies are complex and rich. They will also experience firsthand the fruits of multiple approaches to the study of the text, namely historical, literary, and theological. Communicate Effectively through Writing To strengthen skills in written composition, analysis, and presentation by means of projects such as essays, papers, reports, and examinations. Computer Literacy To enhance and facilitate computer literacy by the use of word processing, the web, email, and OASIS through research, preparation, and presentation of work such as oral class reports and completion of written assignments. Critical Thinking To foster critical thinking by engaging in activities such as classroom discussion and debate, essay examinations, and oral presentations. Moral Reasoning (Ethics) To assist in the continued development of moral and ethical reasoning and reflection by encouraging creative thinking regarding individual and community concerns and needs, the challenging of prejudices and stereotypes, and examining rational and ethical bases of constructive social interactions.
Topical Outline
Topics will vary each time the course is offered. An EXAMPLE of a topical course outline is: 1. Approaches to Pauline Ethics 2. Liberals and Communitarians 3. Reading Paul: Myth, Ritual, Identity and Ethics 4. The Construction of Community 5. Purity, Boundaries and Identity 6. Solidarity, Difference and Other-Regard 7. Other-Regard and Christ as Moral Paradigm 8. Ethics and Outsiders 9. Solidarity and Difference