UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC COURSE ApPROVAL FORM REVISION

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1 UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC COURSE ApPROVAL FORM REVISION Please fill in all infonnation. Required signatures are on page 2 of this fonn. Please return to: Academic Affairs Committee, Office of the Provost, Anderson Hall, 2nd Floor. Contact Person: Dayna Kalleres Phone: September 28, 2005 School or College: COP Department: Religious & Cl. St. Proposed Course #: RELI 27 Title: Portraits of Jesus Proposed Prerequisites: None Proposed Units: 4 Enrollment/Expected Enrollment: 30 Existing Course Title: Life & Teachings of Jesus Grade Option: Letter Grade Existing Course #: RELI 27 Existing Unit Value: 4 Existing Prerequisites: None Revised catalog description (attach additional sheet if necessary). Attach a syllabus: In this course, wewill examinesare of the different "Jesuses" whichhave EID2rgedfran the "QJest for Jesus" through the ages, including several interpretations of Jesus in historical studies, and several interpretations of Jesus fran art and literature. WasJesus an itinerant, charismtic teacher? Ahealer and miracle-worker? A social revolutionary? Or is he an ahistorical figgre on whanwehave projected our ownneeds and desires for twomillennia? Describe the proposed changes and provide a rationale (attach additional sheet if necessary). This course will continue the previous version's focus on the interpretations of Jesus from various disciplines and perspectives. It will not emphasize teachings, so this is truth in advertising. roved, when will this be implemented? Fall D Spring [gj Year ~0061 What is the anticipated "-~ IINone impact on resources (e.g., Faculty, funds, library materials, etc.)? Describe any special facilities, furnishings, or technical needs. List software needs, if any. None

2 ApPROV AL PROCESS Please obtain all signatures before submitting to Academic Affairs Committee. order in which they are listed below. Acquire signatures in the 1. Action by depart :J~ ~ pi os- 2. Action by the Curriculum Committee of the School/College: f!i[ L~ ~ 3. Action by tbe Dean of tbe SCboO~COllege: fp.. pi{ (J A.A..A-Q 'i;; 4. Action by the Dean of the Library: a ~ #J~ Approved by 5. Action by the Director of Educational Technology Services (if computer lab, software needed): l '-'- '6. Action Approved by by: tbe Regist'Jf: ~~ k 7. Action by the General Education Committee (as appropriate): _ 8. Action by the Graduate Studies Committee (as appropriate): 9. Action by the Academic Affairs Committee: 11/7/05, / After approval by the Academic Affairs Committee, information regarding new, revised, or deleted programs and courses is sent to the Registrar for listing in or modifying the catalog. Form revised 9/4/03

3 Course Title: Portraits of Jesus Description: In this course, we will examine some of the different "Jesuses" which have emerged from the "Quest for Jesus" through the ages, including several interpretations of Jesus in historical studies, and several interpretations of Jesus from art and literature. Was Jesus an itinerant, charismatic teacher? A healer and miracle-worker? A social revolutionary? Or is he an ahistorical figure on whom we have projected our own needs and desires for two millennia? Learning Objectives: The course will provide students with an historical survey of the quest for Jesus. They will learn the importance of socio-historical and cultural contexts in the production and reception of a text. Students will learn how to do close readings of written texts as well as visual media; they will gain an understanding of the various scholarly methods of such critical interpretation. They will also learn how to evaluate critically the merits of these interpretations. Students will improve their analytical writing skills in three short papers. Books: The Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha (Revised Standard Version) P. Fredriksen, From Jesus to Christ Luke T. Johnson, The Real Jesus: The Misguided Quest for the Historical Jesus Jane Schaberg, The Illegitimacy of Jesus John Dominic Crossan, Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography John Dominic Crossan, The Historical Jesus Thomas Mathews, The Clash of Gods C. S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe C. S. Lewis, The Last Battle Course Format: This will be predominantly a lecture course, though certain classes will be conducted as seminars in which a more open discussion format will be followed. I will lead off each session with an overview of the week's readings; I will leave sufficient time at the end of each class for discussion and questions. Course Requirements: Attendance at all classes. If you are sick, or away from school for an emergency, please let me know in advance if possible. You may send me or leave a message on voice mail. Absence from more than three classes over the semester may result in a lowered grade. Readings for each week must be completed in advance of classes to facilitate discussion. Everyone is expected to keep an academic study-journal of your responses to class readings. You 1

4 may also include responses to lectures, discussions and films. Journals may be hand-written or word-processed, and should be done at least once a week. Journals must be submitted three times during the semester; I will not necessarily warn you in advance when these will be collected. You will be asked to submit two short papers (ca. 6-8 pages); the first on a selection of images of Jesus from early Christian art and the second on either "The Last Temptation of Christ" or "The Passion." These must be submitted electronically through blackboard; I will provide more information about these assignments in class. Since these papers will be submitted electronically, they will be available for all members of the class to evaluate. Each student will be responsible for evaluating the papers of two fellowstudents. Critical responses to these papers (ca. 2-3 pages) must be submitted to me in written form. Grading Policies: To receive a passing grade, students are expected to satisfy all course requirements, as described above. Students are required to observe the honor code. For the purpose of determining your final grade, course work will be weighted as follows: Attendance and participation (in class and electronically): 10% Weekly Journals: 25% Two short papers: 45% Peer-Evaluation of short-papers: 20% Topics: 1. Course Intro: No readings assigned; look carefully over the syllabus and course requirements; academic study journal with a series of goals and critical questions start your 2. The Ouest for Jesus: Critical Issues and Approaches Readings: P. Fredriksen, From Jesus to Christ, pp. 3-17; Crossan, The Historical Jesus, pp. XXVll-XXXlV. 3. The Earliest Gospels in Different Perspectives: MARK Readings: Gospel of Mark (bring Bible to class). DP. Fredriksen, From Jesus to Christ, pp The Earliest Gospels in Different Perspectives: MATTHEW and LUKE Readings: Gospel of Matthew&Gospel of Luke. P. Fredriksen, From Jesus to Christ, pp The Earliest Gospels in Different Perspectives: JOHN Readings: Gospel of John. P. Fredriksen, From Jesus to Christ, pp The Earliest Gospels in Different Perspectives: THOMAS Readings: Gospel of Thomas (available on Blackboard-bring text to class!) 7. Early Interpretations of Jesus I: Paul of Tarsus Readings: Romans 6; lcorinthians 15; 2 Cor. 5:16-20; Philippians 2:5-11. P. Fredriksen, From 2

5 Jesus to Christ, pp , Early Interpretations of Jesus II: Some "Gnostic" Perspectives Majella Franzmann, Jesus in the Nag Hammadi Writings (on reserve) 9. Early Interpretations of Jesus III: Heterodox Interpretations The Infancy Gospel of Thomas. (On Blackboard) 10. Early Interpretations ofjesus N: The Evolution of an Image (slide lecture) Reading: T. Mathews, The Clash of Gods: A Reinterpretation of Early Christian Art, chs.1, 2,4, Early Interpretations of Jesus V: Constantine, Justinian and Imperial Christianity Readings: T. Mathews, The Clash of Gods: A Reinterpretation of Early Christian Art, chs.1, 2,4, Film/Discussion: "The Robe" (1950) and "Barabbas" (1961) 13. Ouest for the Historical Jesus Readings: Crossan, The Historical Jesus, 11, The Remvthologization of Jesus Readings: C. S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe & C. S. Lewis, The Last Battle 15. Reactions to the Historical Ouest Readings: Luke Timothy Johnson, The Real Jesus: The Misguided Quest for the Historical Jesus and the Truth of the Traditional Gospels 16. Reactions to the Historical Ouest and the Jesus Seminar Readings: Luke Timothy Johnson, The Real Jesus: The Misguided Quest for the Historical Jesus and the Truth of the Traditional Gospels 17. Jesus the Jew Readings: G. Vermes, Jesus the Jew, pp (on reserve); E. P. Sanders, Jesus and Judaism, pp ; (on reserve); Crossan, The Historical Jesus, chs. 3, Jesus the Cynic Sage? Readings: Burton Mack, A Myth of Innocence, pp (on reserve); Burton Mack, "Q and a Cynic-Like Jesus" (on reserve) 19. Jesus the Political Revolutionary? Readings: John Dominic Crossan, The Historical Jesus, ch. 7,9,10. Richard Horsley, Jesus and the Spiral of Violence 20. Jesus the Feminist? 3

6 Readings: Jean Shaberg, The Illegitimacy of Jesusl T. Mathews, The Clash of Gods: A Reinterpretation of Early Christian Art, ch. 5; Elizabeth Schussler Fiorenza, In Memory of Her, pp (on reserve) 21. Jesus the Magician? Readings: M. Smith, Jesus the Magician (selections) (on reserve) Toledoth Yeshu Second Book of Jeu. T. Mathews, The Clash of Gods: A Reinterpretation of Early Christian Art, ch.3. Crossan, Historical Jesus, ch. 8, Who Killed Jesus? Reading: John Dominic Crossan, Who Killed Jesus? Exposing the Roots of Antisemitism. Rivkin, What Crucified Jesus? (on reserve). Paul Winter, On the Trial of Jesus (selections) reserve) Ellis (on 23. Film/Discussion: Martin Scorcese, "The Last Temptation of Christ" (1988) 24. Film/Discussion: Mel Gibson, The Passion (2004) 4