Note: All written work will be turned in by you and returned to you via the Assignments tab on Blackboard.

Go directly to the "more information" page for: weekly responses; Red Tent essay; King of Kings essay; final exercise

1. Class participation (10%).
Goal: To contribute to a class community united around the shared intellectual project of reading, assessing, and interpreting biblical texts and contexts.

Your regular attendance is strongly encouraged, as much of the information and synthesis of readings will take in lectures and discussions. If you need to miss several classes, please let me know what I can do to help you keep up with the course. You are also strongly encouraged to actively participate in any or all of the following ways:
  • participate actively and robustly in small group discussions in class;
  • offer thoughts, ideas, questions, and concerns during class at appropriate times;
  • post thoughts, ideas, questions, and concerns on the Discussion Boards on Blackboard;
  • respond to thoughts, ideas, questions, and concerns on the Discussion Boards on Blackboard
Your participation grade will take into account all of these ways of making your intellectual presence known over the course of the semester.

2. Weekly Responses (minimum 8 required; 40% total).
Goal: To demonstrate your own intellectual engagement with the week’s texts and discussions, usually through an imaginative exercise that asks you to view those texts and discussions through the lens of your own ideas and experience.

For more information and specific requirements, click here.

Beginning on the week of September 18is, a weekly prompt  provided that asks you to synthesize some aspect of the readings for that week. There are ten weekly prompts throughout the semester; you must submit at least eight (8) to get full credit for this part of class participation; all responses are due by 5pm Friday of the week they are posted. In addition, you will also choose two (2) responses to revise at the end of the semester in light of subsequent thought and consideration. Revised response papers are due by 5pm on the last day of final exams (Thurs., Dec. 21).

3. Red Tent essay (15%).
Goal: To analyze one extremely successful “reimagination” of the Tanak and consider some specific aspect of audience, reception, and the popular influence of “the Bible.”

For more information and specific requirements, click here.

As a class we will be reading and discussing the novel The Red Tent by Anita Diamant and you will complete a response essay due by 5pm on Sunday, October 8.

4. King of Kings essay (15%).
Goal: To analyze one extremely successful “reimagination” of the New Testament and consider some specific aspect of audience, reception, and the popular influence of “the Bible.”

For more information and specific requirements, click here.

As a class we will watch selections of the 1927 silent film King of Kings and discussing its portrayal of Jesus; after our viewing and discussion you will complete a response essay due by 5pm on Monday, November 27. Specific requirements for the King of Kings essay can be found here (link coming).

5. Final exercise (20%).
Goal: To demonstrate how the Bible can be reimagined (through rewriting or interpretation) for new and specific kinds of audiences.

For more information and specific requirements, click here.

As a final exercise, you will complete one of two creative response assignments. Both assignments have components due throughout the semester which you must complete to get full credit for the assignment. I include an overview of each assignment here; for detailed instructions, please check the main course website. Whichever final exercise you choose, I strongly encourage you to set up a time to meet and discuss with me as soon as you feel able! Both assignments are due by 5pm on the last day of finals (Thurs., Dec. 21).

a) Fan Fiction: Reconceive a narrative from any book of the Bible (preferably something we have read together) in a new format: a short story, a poem, a piece of graphic art, etc. You may change elements of the story but it should be recognizably based on the biblical original. A brief statement outlining your methods and goals for this reconceived narrative will accompany the fiction.

Before turning in your fan fiction you will (please note bullet points 1-3 may be done in writing or in a meeting with me):
  • compose a brief outline of the story you are going to reconceive, including major narrative elements (characters, settings, events);
  • write up a brief explanation of why you have chosen to rewrite this story and what difficulties you anticipate in reconceiving it;
  • submit a preliminary outline of your proposed fan fiction;
  • be prepared briefly to describe your fan fiction on the final day of classes
b) Group Commentary: With at least two other members of the class, choose an extended (at least two chapter) section of the Bible and compose a commentary together. Your commentary may be interlinear (i.e., explaining each verse one-by-one) or parallel (text on one side, commentary on the other). Your commentary should specify a goal (why create a commentary on this text?) and an audience (who do you imagine benefitting from this commentary?). I am happy and willing to help students interested in this option find group partners to work with. A brief explanation of who in the group accomplished what work will accompany your commentary.

Before turning in your group commentary you will (please note bullet points 1-3 may be done in writing or in a meeting with me):
  • compose a brief outline of the text you are going to commentate, including major hurdles you anticipate;
  • provide a bibliography of at least five sources you will be using to assist in you commentary (these sources may be anything at all but you must stick to them when you write your commentary);
  • submit a preliminary draft of at least half of your commentary;
  • be prepared to share some insight from your commentary on the final day of classes
There is no final exam in this course.

Grading Scale

Grade

Range

Grade

Range

A

93-100

C+

77-79

A-

90-92

C

73-76

B+

87-89

C-

70-72

B

83-86

D

60-69

B-

80-82

F

0-59




return to home page