THEOLOGY/RELIG. STUDIES 320X Introduction to the New Testament Spring Term, 2014 (Term II) Instructor: Richard F. Morrisroe Wed., 7:00-10:00 pm Mail Room Telephone: 219/473-7770 Office: Library Home Telephone: 219/398-3834 Office Hours: Wed., 6:00-6:55 pm Email: morrisroe@att.net Course Description: This course will explore the New Testament with a special attention to the historical and cultural context in which the various books developed. The course will introduce modem critical methods for examining the Gospel texts, with a focus on the historical Jesus question, and will survey the other literature of the Christian Scriptures, including Paul's letters and the Book of Revelation. The theological meaning of these books both then and now will be discussed. Prerequisite: RLST 130 (Introduction to Religious Studies) Instructor Background: Professional: Neighborhood Ministry, Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, 1964-1972 Planning Director, City of East Chicago, IN, 1973-1985; 2005-2008; 2012-2014 Senior Staff Attorney, Chicago Transit Authority, 1986-2004 Adjunct Faculty: Calumet College of St. Joseph, 1981-2014; Indiana Univ. Northwest, 1972-1980 Education: MA in Religious Education, University of St. Mary of the Lake, 1963 MA in Urban Studies, Loyola University of Chicago, 1973 JD in Law, Northwestern University, 1978 DMin in Religious Diversity, Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, 1998 MA in New Testament, Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, 2011 Interests: social, economic and political change, faith-based community organizations; community, business, and government ethics Required Textbooks: Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Theology, by Paul J. Achtemeier, Joel B. Green, Marianne Meye Thompson (William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2001) (abbreviation: INT). ISBN: 978-0-8028-3717-2. Recommended: Anselm Academic Study Bible, Carolyn Osiek, gen.ed. Winona, MN: Anselm Academic, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-59982-124-5 [paperback]; ISBN: 978-1-59982-163-4 [hardcover]. 1
Objectives: as a result of this course, students will be able to 1. Demonstrate extensive familiarity with the text of the New Testament. 2. Apply historical-critical method to interpreting a variety of New Testament pericopes. 3. Explain key doctrines that stem from a variety of New Testament pericopes. You will: listen actively, intelligently, critically, and empathetically; summarize, paraphrase, synthesize, and evaluate source material; assess the assumptions and implications of different approaches to interpreting the Bible. Learning Strategies: reading, thinking, discussions, questions, and summary papers Means by which competencies will be assessed: Diagnostic assessment weekly summaries of learning experience. Formative assessment reading and note taking weekly class discussions Summative assessment weekly papers: summaries of material covered each week Final oral and written examinations Assessment: Twelve (12) reflective papers of at least 250-words each summarizing what you learned each week from reading and/or the class discussions. The instructor will provide questions that are to be answered in the weekly papers. 6.0 points each= 72% of grade. Final oral exam to comprise 14% of grade. Final written exam to comprise an additional 14% of grade. Academic Alerts In an effort to keep you informed of serious problems affecting your ability to pass this course, students who are in jeopardy of not passing may receive an Academic Alert to notify them of the situation and the remedial actions they should take to put them in good academic standing. Withdrawal from Classes Policy: After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. The Registrar must receive written request for withdrawal by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed. An official withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a course 2
without written permission automatically incurs an "F" grade for the course (see Refund Schedule). Citation Guidelines: Calumet College of St. Joseph uses citation guidelines, generally MLA or APA format, to document sources quoted or paraphrased in student papers. Check the syllabus for each course to see what each instructor requires. The Library has reference copies of each manual; the Bookstore has copies for sale when required by the instructor. In addition, there are brief MLA and APA checklists in your spiral Student Handbook and Planner and on the Library website and literature rack. These texts show how to cite references from many sources, including electronic media, as well as how to space and indent the Works Cited and References pages respectively. EBSCO and ProQuest articles provide both formats for you to copy and paste. Proper documentation avoids plagiarism. Class Policy for Weekly Assignments: All papers are to be typewritten. Double-space the paper, preferably using New Times Roman, font 12. Include at the top of the page your name, date, course, and topic. All papers are due the week following the class discussion. All late papers receive an automatic deduction; that is, papers handed in late lose 1.5 points. Evaluation: A = superior grasp of content and issues and integration of thinking and outside reading. B = good grasp of material and awareness of differing opinions and critical thinking. C = adequate understanding of major issues. D = lack of understanding of basic course material. F = failure to complete papers and/or significant absences from weekly discussions. Class Participation: At the end of every class you will write one thing you learned and one question you have about that day s class in a Minute Paper. We will begin the next class with a discussion of your questions. You may ask questions at any time. Please be respectful of someone else s opinion if it differs from yours. Class Policy on Attendance: Show up for class and participate. Missing a class more than twice means you will automatically be put on Academic Alert and may be dropped from the class (by administrative withdrawal). Please be on time as a courtesy to all your classmates. Being on time for class and staying for the entire session gains 1 point. Absence from class loses 1 point. Being late or leaving early earns no points. Grading Scale: Grade Points A 100-92 A- 91-90 B+ 89-88 B 87-82 B- 81-80 3
C+ 79-78 C 77-72 C- 71-70 D+ 69-68 D 67-62 D- 61-60 F 59 and below Student Success Center: The Student Success Center supports Calumet College of St. Joseph students through an interactive learning experience. Students work with tutors to develop course competencies and study skills such as time management, test preparation, and note taking. In addition, students are provided with tutoring support to help pass courses, to improve grade point average, and to promote continuing education and career advancement. Tutors have a specific charge: to help students learn how to master specific subject matter and to develop effective learning skills. The Student Success Center is open to all students at Calumet College of St. Joseph at no charge and is available to support academic courses at the introductory and advanced levels. For assistance, please contact the Student Success Center at 219 473-4287 or stop by room 413. The Supplemental Instruction (SI) Program is an academic support program designed to increase student performance and retention. The SI Program provides peer-assisted study sessions to aid students in academic courses that often prove challenging. Weekly study sessions are led by a supplemental instructor, a peer facilitator who helps students master course content and practice effective study skills. In SI sessions, students are provided with an opportunity to review lecture notes, clarify difficult concepts, discuss ideas, and study for tests in group settings. SI sessions are for students who need or want supplemental instruction in courses in which SI support is provided. Students may attend as many sessions as they deem helpful. For more information regarding the SI Program, contact the Academic Support Programs Office at 219 473-4352. Student Support Services: Among its other services, the Student Support Services Office guides, counsels and assists students with disabilities. If a student believes that he or she needs a reasonable accommodation of some kind because of a physical, psychological, or mental condition (e.g., additional time needed for tests, note taking assistance, special testing arrangements, etc.), he or she should contact the Student Support Services Office at 473-4388. Staff there will secure documentation pertinent to the disability and work with faculty and staff, if necessary, to address the matter. Withdrawal from Classes Policy: After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar) students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be received by the Registrar by the last day prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalog. Written requests may be mailed to the registrar or faxed to the College fax number, 219-473-4259. Students are to take not of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed. An official withdrawal is recorded as a W grade on the student s transcript. Dropping a 4
course without written permission automatically incurs and F grade for the course (see Refund Schedule). Statement of Plagiarism: If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of the CCSJ Handbook that addresses student grievances. PLEASE NOTE: All papers can and may be submitted for checks on plagiarism from the Internet/Electronic sources/databases. Disabilities Services: Disabilities Services and Calumet College of St. Joseph (CCSJ) seeks to provide opportunities for equal access in programs, services and activities. CCSJ and Disabilities Services strive to meet the needs of students with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations and academic services. Academic Services are in accordance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. Students with documented disabilities that require support to access academic activities are encouraged to contact Disabilities Services. If a student believes that he or she needs a reasonable accommodation of some kind because of a physical, psychological, or mental condition (e.g., additional time needed for tests, note taking assistance, special testing arrangements, etc.), he or she should contact Disabilities Services at 473-4349. The Coordinator will secure documentation pertinent to the disability and work with faculty and staff, if necessary, to address the matter. All questions and inquiries pertaining to disability services should be directed to the Disability Services Coordinator at 219-473-4349. School Closing Information: CCSJ Alert: Calumet College of St. Joseph utilizes an emergency communications system that transmits messages via text, email, and voice platforms. In the event of an emergency, of weather related closings, or of other incidents, those students who are registered for the system shall receive incident specific message(s) notifying them of the situation. Please sign-up for this important service at any time on the College s website. Alternatively, you can register at the time you register for classes. This service requires each user to register once per academic year. Therefore, at the beginning of each academic year, please remember to re-register for the system. This can be done at: http://www.ccsj.edu/alerts/index.html. Internet: Radio: http://www.ccsj.edu http://www.emergencyclosing.com Facility: Calumet College of St. Joseph Phone: 219-473-4770 WAKE 1500 AM WLS 890 AM 5
WGN 720 AM WBBM NEWS RADIO 780 WIJE 105.5 FM WZVN 107.1 FM TV Channels: 2, 5, 7, 9, 32 Course Calendar Class Dates January 15 January 22 Topics/Assignments Syllabus, introduction What Is the New Testament? The World of the New Testament Read INT pp. 1-51 to prepare for class. First paper due on previous week's discussion January 29 What Is the New Testament? The World of the New Testament. Second paper due February 5 The Nature of the Gospels. The Gospel according to Mark Read INT pp. 53-87 and 123-147 and the Gospel of Mark Third paper due February 12 The Gospel according to Matthew Read INT pp. 89-121 and Gospel of Matthew Fourth paper due February 19 The Gospel according to Luke Read INT pp. 149-174 and Gospel of Luke Fifth paper due February 26 The Acts of the Apostles Read INT pp. 245-269 and the Acts of the Apostles Sixth paper due March 5 March 12 Spring Break- NO CLASS The Gospel according to John Read INT pp. 175-205 and the Gospel of John Seventh paper due March 19 Letters in the New Testament. Paul and His World, Letter to the 6
Romans Read INT pp. 271-326 and Letter to the Romans Eighth paper due March 26 Paul's Letters to the Christians in Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, and Philippi Read INT pp. 327-406 and 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, a nd Philippians Ninth paper due April 2 Paul's Letters to the Christians at Colossae, Thessalonians, and to Philemon, Timothy and Titus Read INT pp. 407-464 and Colossians, Philemon, 1 Thessalonians, 1-2 Timothy and Titus Tenth paper due April 9 Letter to the Hebrews and Letters of James, Peter, and Jude Read INT pp. 465-534 and Hebrews, James, Peter, and Jude Eleventh paper due April 16 Book of Revelation, and Formation of the N.T. Canon Read INT pp. 555-608 and Revelation Twelfth paper due April 23 April 30 Review and Preparation for Oral Final Examination Written Final Examination Class Policy on Electronic Devices: Your classmates are here to learn, and many are making great sacrifices to get a college education. Disruptions affect everyone, and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Take care of restroom needs before class begins; we will take a break midway through each session. All cell phones, beepers, pagers, etc. should be turned off and stored out of sight during class. The instructor will be notified regarding any exceptions that may be required due to family responsibilities. 7
Learning Outcomes/Student Competencies: This course will: introduce you to the broad framework of the New Testament within its historical, literary, religious, and canonical setting; this understanding will include o a general knowledge of the historical period covered by the New Testament, o a basic chronology of the formation of the New Testament and its individual books or traditions, o a familiarity with the various kinds of literature included in the New Testament, and o an awareness of the various senses of history within the New Testament; help you to examine in an initial way the contents of the entire New Testament; have you compare and contrast different cultural perspectives between the times of the New Testament and today; help you to acquire new perspectives on the interpretation of Scripture; and provide you with an opportunity to reflect in a systematic or analytical way on the significance of the New Testament for today; 8