Religion 317
Interpretation of the Bible
Religion 317
James W. Aageson
OFFICE HOURS:
Academy #208
Students are also encouraged to contact the Professor by e-mail
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This Course is designed to present and integrate the various methods
which
biblical scholars have developed for the study of the Bible. Consideration
will
be given to the manner in which the biblical text, the biblical context,
and the interpreter of the Bible interact. The class will be conducted as
a seminar and
the students will be expected to read the designated readings, contribute
to class
discussion, and write papers as assigned.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Bible, New Revised Standard Version
Troubling Biblical Waters, Cain Hope Felder
Biblical Interpretation: An Integrated Approach, W. Randoph Tate
Texts of Terror: Literary-Feminist Readings of Biblical Narratives-
Phyllis Trible
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Read assigned readings
2. Quizzes (all of the quizzes combined will equal one exam)
3. Final Exam
4. Seminar text report
5. Four papers
6. Class participation
EVALUATION:
1. Quizzes combined-15%
2. Final exam-15%
3. Three papers-15% each
4. Oral presentation-10%
5. Attendance and class participation-15%
COURSE OUTLINE:
An Integrated Approach to Biblical Interpretation
September 7--Introduction
September 14—The World Behind the Text--Read: Tate pp. xix-xxvi,
3-11, 29-63; Genesis 1
& 2
1. Discussion of Tate
2. Film: “In God’s Image”
3. Interpretive Discussion
September 21--The World Within the Text--Read: Tate pp. 67-154;
Genesis 2 & 3
1. Discussion of Tate
2. Film: “Temptation”
3. Interpretive Discussion
4. Quiz
September 28--The World in Front of the Text--Read: Tate pp. 157-258;
Genesis 12-22, Gospel of Mark
1. Discussion of Tate
2. Film: “A Family Affair”
3. Interpretive Discussion
4. The Gospel of Mark: a Case in Point
Feminist Literary Interpretation: Old Testament Texts of Terror
October 5--Read: Trible pp. 1-63
Hagar—Read Genesis 16:1-16,
21:9-21
Tamar--Read: 2 Samuel
13:1-22
1. Discussion of Trible on Genesis
2. Evaluation
3. Discussion
of Trible on 2 Samuel
4. Evaluation
October 12--Read: Trible pp. 64-116
An Unnamed
Woman--Read: Judges 19:1-30
Jephthah's
Daughter--Read: Judges 11:29-40
1. Discussion of Trible on Judges 19
2. Evaluation
3. Discussion of Trible on Judges 11
4. Evaluation
October 19—Feminism and the Bible
1. Film: “Mary Magdalen: An Intimate Portrait”
2. Round Table Discussion Based on Student
Questions
3. Quiz
African American Interpretation
November 2—The Bible and Race—Read: Felder pp. xi-48
1. Discussion
2. Evaluation
November 9--The Bible and Class--Read: Felder pp. 51-134
1. Discussion
2. Evaluation
November 16—The Bible and Family--Read: Felder pp. 139-177
1. Discussion
2. Evaluation
3. Film: “Amistad”
November 23 (No Class)
November 30—Seminar Text Reports
Quiz
December 7—Seminar Text Reports
December 14—Final Exam
PAPERS 1, 2, & 3:
Each student in the seminar will select a biblical text of manageable
proportions. Three six page interpretive papers will be written on the
same text: The first looking at "the world behind the text," the second
looking at "the world within the text," and the third looking at "the
world in front of the text." These three approaches to biblical texts are
described and evaluated by Randolph Tate in his book. These papers are
to
be typed, fully annotated, inclusive in the use of language, and presented
as formal interpretations of biblical texts. The dates for the three papers
are:
September 28, October 19, and November 16.
PAPER 4:
Paper four shall be a summary and integration of the insights, perspectives,
and conclusions of papers 1, 2, & 3. It shall be written and presented
to the class
on November 30 or December 7 as a seminar text report. In this paper/
report the students shall draw together their conclusions regarding their
interpretation
of the biblical text under consideration. This paper will be turned in
the instructor
but will be graded primarily on the basis of the oral report.
QUIZ DATES:
September 21
October 19
November 30
JAMES W. AAGESON
