Bible as Literature
PY 260-314
Spring 2011
Tuesday, Thursday 9:00-10:20 Dr. Hollis Robbins
LH 214 Centre Street, #33
G.A. Gina Peck ginakpeck@hotmail.com hrobbins@jhu.edu
Course Description:
Reading the bible as a work of literature, applying critical and analytical methodologies to explore the nature of character, character development, interiority, narrative, conflict, plot, resolution, beginnings and endings in this influential text.
Course Requirements:
You will usually be required to read 50 pages per week and to reflect carefully on the text. You should complete the reading assignments before you come to class; I will assume a basic familiarity with the assigned reading, including characters, plot, and consequences and you should be prepared to demonstrate this familiarity on cue. Your active engagement with the material will account for 25% of your final grade. You will share responsibility with your fellow students in encouraging and leading classroom discussion. You will be required to complete two significant writing assignments: a short paper and a final paper. You will have a multiple-choice midterm exam and a final exam with an essay. Papers will allow and encourage you to explore and analyze the implications of the reading and ideas we discuss over the course of the semester.
Required Readings:
The New Oxford Annotated Bible
Richard Friedman, Who Wrote the Bible. Harper Collins 1987.
Schedule
Week 1 Introduction
T Jan 18 Genesis 1-9 Adam & Eve
Th Jan 20 Genesis 10-19
Additional Reading: Who Wrote the Bible Chapters 1-3 (pp. 9-88)
Week 2 Genesis (Covenants, Matriarchs and Patriarchs)
T Jan 25 Genesis 20-30
Th Jan 27 Genesis 31-38
Additional Reading: Who Wrote the Bible Chapters 4-6 (to p.135)
Week 3 Genesis (The Joseph Cycle) to Exodus
T Feb 1 Genesis 39-50
Th Feb 3 Exodus 1-6
Additional Reading: Who Wrote the Bible Chapters 7-9 (to p.173)
Week 4 Exodus (Moses)
T Feb 8 Exodus 7-16
Th Feb 10 Exodus 17-26
Additional Reading: Who Wrote the Bible Chapters 9-11 (to p. 216)
Week 5 Exodus (Law, Purity, Sacrifice), Leviticus
T Feb 15 Exodus 27-40
Th Feb 17 Leviticus 1-27
Additional Reading: Who Wrote the Bible (to p. 260)
Feb 21-25 No Class Auditions Week
Paper 1 Due Friday, March 11 Exactitude or Doubling in a Biblical Passage
Week 6 Deuteronomy, Numbers (More laws, purity, sacrifice)
T Mar 1 Deuteronomy, Numbers
Th Mar 3 Esther
Week 7 Joshua, Ruth
T Mar 8 Joshua, Ruth
Th Mar 10 In-Class Midterm Exam
Week 8 1 and 2 Samuels, Psalms
T Mar 15 1 and 2 Samuels
Th Mar 17 Psalms
March 20-27 No Classes, Spring break
Week 9 Ruth, Job, Prophets
T Mar 29 Ruth, Job
Th Mar 31 Amos, Jonah, Ezekiel, Isaiah
Week 10 Transition, Matthew
T Apr 5 Transition to the New Testament
Th Apr 7 Matthew
Week 11 Mark, Luke
T Apr 12 Mark
Th Apr 14 Luke
Week 12 John, Paul
T Apr 19 John
Th Apr 21 Romans, I and II
Week 13 Epistles
T Apr 26 Corinthians I, II, Galatians
Th Apr 28 Ephesians, Philippians, Thessalonians, I and II Timothy
Week 14 Revelations
T May 3 Revelations
Th May 5 FINAL EXAM IN CLASS
Final paper due May 10
Disability Statement: The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to a climate of mutual respect and civility among members of our community. Peabody recognizes that disability is an aspect of diversity. Our goal is to create learning environments that are usable, equitable, inclusive and welcoming. If there are aspects of the instruction or design of this course that result in barriers to your inclusion or to accurate assessment or achievement related to your disability, please notify the instructor as soon as possible. Students are also welcome to contact Katsura Kurita, associate dean for student affairs and disability resources coordinator, in the Student Affairs Office, in-person, via email at kkurita1@peabody.jhu.edu , or by phone at (410) 234-4538 for further information about academic adjustments or accommodations.
