C E R R I T O S C O L L E G E. Norwalk, California COURSE OUTLINE ENGLISH 221B LITERATURE IN THE BIBLE: CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES

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1 C E R R I T O S C O L L E G E Norwalk, California COURSE OUTLINE ENGLISH 221B LITERATURE IN THE BIBLE: CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES Approved by the Curriculum Committee on: February 23, 2006 Dr. Frank Mixson Professor Reviewed by: Nishi Shah/ Dr. Steve Clifford Department Chair, English David Fabish Instructional Dean, Liberal Arts Rick Miranda Vice-President of Academic Affairs/Assistant Superintendent Revised/reviewed: 2/22/96, 1/27/00, 2/24/00, 2/23/06, 9/30/11, 8/25/2017 Content review: 2/22/96, 1/27/00

2 I. Catalog description A. Course description This course studies the New Testament in English in translation as a literary document. Emphasis is on understanding the literary nature of the Bible through literary analysis, including the study of literary genres such as poetry, epistolary, narrative, drama and biography. B. Class hours: 3.0 Lecture Units: 3 C. Prerequisite: Completion of ENGL 52 or ENGL 72 or ESL 152 or equivalent with a grade of C or higher, or of Pass, or completion of the placement process with eligibility for ENGL 100. Co-requisite: None D. Recommendation: None II. Texts and other instructional materials A. Required texts Instructor may select the following or any other Cerritos College Board approved text: Coogan, Michael D., and Marc Z. Brettler, eds. The New Oxford Annotated Bible: New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha. New York: Oxford University Press, Faculty-Authored Texts: Texts approved by the English Department B. References Alter, Robert, and Kermode, Frank, eds. The Literary Guide to the Bible. Cambridge, Mass: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Charlesworth, James H., ed. The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha: Apocalyptic Literature and Testaments. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Ehrman, Bart D. The New Testament and Other Early Christian Writings: A Reader. New York: Oxford University Press, Ehrman, Bart D. Jesus: Apocalyptic Prophet of the New Millennium. New York: Oxford University Press, Friedman, Richard E. Who Wrote the Bible? San Francisco: Harper & Row, Gabel, John B., Charles B. Wheeler, and Anthony D. York. The Bible as Literature: An introduction. New York: Oxford University Press, 3 rd ed Ginzberg, Louis. Legends of the Jews Complete. Johns Hopkins University Press, Gottwald, Norman K. the Hebrew Bible: A Socio-Literary Introduction. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 2002.

3 ENGL 221A - LITERATURE IN THE BIBLE: HEBREW SCRIPTURES 3 II. III. Texts and other instructional materials (continued) Harris, Stephen L., Understanding the Bible. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing Company, Kirsch, Jonathan. The Harlot by the Side of the Road: Forbidden Tales of the Bible. New York: Ballantine Books, Kugel, James I. The Bible as It Was. Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Laffey, Alice L. An Introduction to the Old Testament: A Feminist Perspective. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, Mack, L. Burton. Who Wrote the New Testament: The Making of the Christian Myth. San Francisco: Harper Collins, Mays, James L. Harper's Bible Commentary: Revised Edition. San Francisco: Harper & Row, Mitchell, Stephen. Gilgamesh: A New English Version. New York: Free Press, Moyers, Bill. Genesis: A Living Conversation. New York: Doubleday, Nelson's Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts. Thomas Nelson Publishers, Powell, Mark, ed. HarperCollins Bible Dictionary- Revised & Updated. New York: HarperCollins, Sanders, E.P. The Historical Figure of Jesus. New York: Viking Press, Telushkin, Joseph. Biblical Literacy: The Most Important People, Events, and Ideas of the Hebrew Bible. New York: William Moorrow and Company, Inc., Theissen, Gerd, and Merz, Annette. The Historical Jesus: A Comprehensive Guide. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, VanderKam, James C. The Dead Sea Scrolls Today: Revised Edition. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, Wilson, A.N. Paul: The Mind of the Apostel. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, C. Required Materials None Course content A. Jewish antecedents 1. Apocalyptic literature, such as the Book of Daniel 2. Apocryphal works 3. Messianism 4. Prophetic writing, such as Isaiah 5. The Dead Sea Scrolls

4 ENGL 221B - LITERATURE IN THE BIBLE: CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES 2 III. Course Content - continued B. Greco-Roman literary tradition 1. Greco-Roman mythology 2. Epic poetry 3. Greek tragedy 4. The Epitel C. Synoptic gospels 1. Mark 2. Matthew 3. Luke and Acts D. Gospel of John E. Acts and Pauline Letters 1. Formation of the Jewish/Christian community 2. Origins of Hellenistic Christianity 3. Ascension of Pauline Christianity F. The Book of Revelation G. Writing about literature 1. Developing an argument about a work a. Interpretation 1. Author s writing style 2. Author s meaning b. Support from primary sources c. Support from secondary sources d. Evaluation of sources e. Modern language association documentation of sources 2. Strategies for written structure a. Explication b. Analysis c. Compare/contrast

5 ENGL 221B - LITERATURE IN THE BIBLE: CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES 3 III. IV. Course content - continued 3. Strategies for developing writing skills using literary criticism a. The instructor may choose as many of the following critical approaches as appropriate 1. Formalism 2. Biographical 3. Historical 4. Feminist 5. Reader response Course objectives A. Recognizing the literary elements in various Biblical selections studied: characters, plot, setting, conflict, point of view, symbol, style and theme B. Recognizing distinguishing characteristics of genres studied, such as narration, poetry, apocalyptic, and epistle C. Identifying the principle divisions such as the Synoptic Gospels, the Luke/Acts narrative and epistles D. Differentiating between religious and literary interpretations of the Bible E. Describing and explaining background information pertaining to Palestine under the Roman Empire, such as customs, beliefs, superstitions, articles of clothing, practices of war, manner in everyday life F. Identifying major geographical settings, such as Jerusalem, Galilee, Palestine, Greece, Italy and the eastern Mediterranean Sea G. Discerning the influence upon the Bible of major historical upheavals, such as the occupation of Palestine by Imperial Rome H. Increasing students enjoyment of biblical literature I. Writing substantive essay responses to examination questions on the portions of the Bible studied J. Recognizing and discussing symbolism and figurative language in the Bible K. Recognizing and discussing the characteristics of biblical language and the changes in language that occur in the various biblical books V. Assignments A. Reading 1. Selected books and chapters from the Christian Scriptures and the apocrypha 2. Secondary sources such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, scholarly Bible commentaries, historical surveys of the biblical period, and analyses of the literary character of Christian Scriptures

6 ENGL 221B - LITERATURE IN THE BIBLE: CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES 4 V. Assignments - continued B. Writing or problem solving or skill attainment 1. At regular intervals as determined by the instructor, student will write essays that explain, analyze, compare and contrast and/or discuss topics about the content and literary interpretation 2. A research paper C. Critical thinking 1. Outlining the development and changes of recurrent biblical themes 2. Relating the historical and sociological backgrounds of the various books of the Bible to its literary interpretations 3. Analyzing biblical selections in terms of character, plot, setting, conflict, point of view, symbols, style and theme 4. Distinguishing the characteristics of genres, such as epistolary 5. Evaluating the literary functions of various aspects of the biblical selections, such as the use of genealogies, comic interludes, progression of the plot 6. Inferring motives and personality attributes of characters from study of the text 7. Examining biblical stories in the light of contemporary literary theories, such as Feminist Criticism, Psychoanalytic Criticism and Reader-Response Criticism VI. VII. Methods of instruction may include A. Lecture and demonstration of biblical themes, relevant schools of criticism, structures, symbolism, historical contexts, conventional literary devices and also those peculiar to the Bible B. Class discussion of Christian Scripture books, chapters, verses, and stories, and of the various ways these may be understood and interpreted C. Recorded audio, videotape and multimedia presentations D. 35mm slide, map and picture presentations to clarify the historical, social, literary, religious, and cultural context of the Bible E. Internet research for current contexts related to enduring biblical issues, and themes, site maps and archeological studies F. Instruction utilizing Electronic Information Technology (EIT) (ie., video, audio, websites, web services, and software) must comply with Cerritos College BP and AP 3720, Cerritos College BP and AP 3411 and Section 508 standards (law). When the instructor's course materials are not compatible with a student's disability, the instructor will develop an Equally Effective Alternative Access Plan (EEAAP). Methods of evaluation A. Quizzes on selected readings

7 ENGL 221B - LITERATURE IN THE BIBLE: CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES 5 B. Essay examinations concerning major themes, movements, genres, characters and literary approaches C. Participation, including collaborative activities VII. VIII. Methods of evaluation - continued D. Oral and written reports on the interpretation or understanding of specific books or chapters E. Research paper applying the techniques of literary criticism to a specific book, section, or genre F. Midterm and final examination Student Learning outcomes A. Students describe the historical context in which the books of the Christian Scripture were written. B. Students distinguish between the various genres and literary devices employed by the author(s) of the Christian Scriptures. C. Students recognize a variety of thematic issues as they are developed in the Gospels and Letters of the Christian Scriptures. D. Students analyze specific passages and thematic issues in group discussions and analytic essays, using various approaches to literary criticism.

8 ENGL 221B - LITERATURE IN THE BIBLE: CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES 6 MULTICULTURAL STATEMENT Instructional methods and the content of the course acknowledge and incorporate the diversity of our community college population. Students will be strongly encouraged to participate in cooperative and collaborative learning activities to promote an atmosphere of tolerance and sharing of views. Ancient writings will be situated in the social, cultural and literary world of the early Roman Empire. Comparative studies of authors, texts, and themes will include an investigation of textual influence on other cultures and literatures. Critics and social opposition will also be included in the topics for discussion and research.