Reminder: There is no final exam for the course.

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

 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.

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).

Please note changed dates for the first phase of both final exercise from October 10 to October 17.

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 of 300-700 words outlining your methods and goals for this reconceived narrative will accompany the fiction.

Before turning in your fan fiction you will (please points 1-3 may be done in writing or in a meeting with me)

1. Brief outline (due Oct 17 by 5pm). 100-500 words. Compose a brief outline of the story you are going to reconceive, including major narrative elements (characters, settings, events).

2. Explanation (due Oct 31 by 5pm). 100-500 words. Write up a brief explanation of why you have chosen to rewrite this story and what difficulties you anticipate in reconceiving it.

3. Preliminary outline/description (due Nov 28 by 5pm). 100-500 words. Submit a preliminary outline or description of your proposed fan fiction

4. Brief discussion. Be prepared briefly to describe your fan fiction on the final day of classes.

The fan fiction must be turned in by the last day of finals (Thursday, December 21). If your fan fiction cannot be submitted online through Blackboard, please make arrangements with me to drop it off at my office (we can also arrange a time for you to pick it up in the spring.) There is no word limit on the fan fiction itself; but I do suggest taking about 300-700 words to craft your required accompanying explanation of your fan fiction.

 

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 or paragraph one-by-one (click here for an example of an interlinear commentary on the book of Ruth)
An interlinear commentary allows you to pick specific words or ideas to clarify in each sentence, and is often useful to clarifying texts with unfamiliar terms, characters, or plots; think of a sports recap show where they play clips, pause, and then give their opinion of each team's actions before showing the next clip

Or your commentary may be running: with text on one side and commentary on the other, or with the text on the top of the page and your commentary beneath it (click here to see an example of a running commentary here on the third chapter of Daniel)
A running commentary allows you to put your own thoughts next to the original text, so that a reader encounters one then the other; think of a director's commentary on a Blu-ray edition of a movie which runs alongside the original track of the film

Your commentary should specify a goal (why create a commentary on this text? is your goal to clarify meaning? to derive a moral? to apply a particular framework?) 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 (100 word) explanation of who in the group accomplished what work will accompany your commentary.

Before turning in your group commentary you will (please note points 1-3 may be done in writing or in a meeting with me):

1. Brief outline (due Oct 17 by 5pm). Compose a brief outline of the text you are going to commentate, including major hurdles you anticipate.

2. Bibliography (due Oct 31 by 5pm). Provide a bibliography of a least five sources you will be using to assist in your commentary (these sources may be anything at all but you must stick with them; you might find some ideas on the links and resources page). You can use Wikipedia pages, existing commentaries, YouTube videos, TikTok homilies, etc. You can always add more sources as you write, but I want to see reference to these sources in the final product.

3. Preliminary draft (due Nov 28 by 5pm). Submit a preliminary draft of at least half of your commentary (that is, commentary on at least half of the biblical passage you are commenting on).

4. Brief presentation. Be prepared to share some insight from your commentary on the final day of classes.

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