ANGELS, DEMONS, AND MAGIC IN EARLY CHRISTIANITY RS 353 / MEL 321

Transcription

1 ANGELS, DEMONS, AND MAGIC IN EARLY CHRISTIANITY RS 353 / MEL 321 Dr. Geoffrey Smith Meeting Time: M/W 1:00-2:30pm Meeting Location: CBA Office Location: Burdine 526 Office Hours: Mondays, 10am-1pm Course Description The world as early Christians imagined it was a spiritual universe inhabited by angels and demons. These lesser gods were thought to govern the mundane affairs experienced by Christians, day-to-day matters like health, wealth, love, and revenge. But how did Christians come to view the world in this way? How did angelology and demonology influence the ways that Christians thought about the world around them? And to what extent did Christians use magic to manipulate the spiritual world? We will consider these and other questions in this survey of early Christian views of angels, demons, and magic. All primary sources will be read in translation. Learning Goals and Objectives By the end of this course students will be able to: Summarize various scholarly definitions of magic and theories about the relationship between magic and religion. Paraphrase the most important biblical passages that mention or gave rise to Jewish and Christian beliefs about angels, demons, and magic. Discuss the tension between proscriptions against the practice of magic and the papyrological evidence for Christian magical practices. Required Books Marvin Meyer and Richard Smith, Ancient Christian Magic: Coptic Texts of Ritual Power Bernd-Christian Otto and Michael Stausberg, Defining Magic: A Reader Morton Smith, Jesus the Magician 1

2 Written Assignments There will be two short (3-4 pages each) analytical essays on topics chosen by the instructor. Using standard conventions of style and referencing, each student will also write a final research paper (10-15 pages) designed to enhance the student's ability to shape historical evidence into a thematically coherent, logical, and well-organized academic argument. The topic and research design of the final paper will be developed by each student in consultation with the instructor on the basis of individual topics of interest related to the course materials and methods. Students will review a draft of their peers' final papers during in-class, peer-review session. The instructor will also be available during office hours to help students incorporate feedback from their peers into their final research paper. Additionally, each student is required to submit a full draft of the final paper to the instructor one month prior to the final paper deadline. Each student will then meet with the instructor to discuss revisions and incorporate these changes into the final version of the paper. Grading Percentage Breakdown 3 short essays: 40% (20% each) Final paper: 40% Presentation: 10% Attendance and participation: 10% Grading Scale A C A C B D B D B D C F 59 and below Attendance and Participation Students are required to attend class on a regular basis and participate in in-class discussions and activities. Excessive absences (i.e., more than two) will result in a lower attendance and participation grade. Absences for medical reasons are forgiven only if the student can produce a note from a medical professional saying that he or she was physically unable to attend class. Documentation of a visit to University Health Services is itself insufficient. One or two planned absences will be excused; students must contact me prior to their absence to receive a make-up assignment. 2

3 Canvas In this class I use Canvas a Web-based course management system with passwordprotected access at to distribute course materials, to communicate and collaborate online, to post grades, and to submit assignments. If you need technical assistance using Canvas, please contact the ITS Help Desk at They are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., so plan accordingly. Honor Code Students are expected to uphold at all times the Honor Code and University Code of Conduct. For more information, please visit Plagiarism Plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated. Instances of plagiarism will be reported directly to Student Judicial Services (SJS) for resolution. If you have a question about what constitutes plagiarism, please ask me before you turn in the assignment. You are also expected to familiarize yourself with UT Austin s definition of plagiarism. For a useful tutorial, visit Writing Resources The University of Texas has numerous resources for students to provide assistance and support for your learning. For writing assistance, please visit the Undergraduate Writing Center website: Religious Holy Days By UT Austin policy, you must notify me of your pending absence at least fourteen days prior to the date of observance of a religious holy day. If you must miss a class, an examination, a work assignment, or a project in order to observe a religious holy day, I will give you an opportunity to complete the missed work within a reasonable time after the absence. Disability Statement Students with disabilities may request appropriate academic accommodations from the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, Services for Students with Disabilities at (512) (voice) or (video phone) or 3

4 COURSE SCHEDULE The Course Schedule is subject to change depending upon the needs of the class. 8/24 Introduction, Terms, and Definitions -Magic and Religion- 8/29 Harry Potter, Magic, and Christianity Harry Potter: Harmless Christian Novel or Doorway to the Occult? Redeeming Harry Potter Witchcraft shop refuses to serve Harry Potter fans 8/31 Defining Magic in the Ancient World Defining Magic: A Reader, /5 Labor Day, No Class 9/7 Defining Magic in the Ancient World Defining Magic: A Reader, /12 Academic Definitions of Magic: Tyler and Frazer Defining Magic: A Reader, /14 Academic Definitions of Magic: Mauss and Hubert Defining Magic: A Reader, /19 Academic Definitions of Magic: Durkheim Defining Magic: A Reader, Constructing a Spirit-Filled Universe- 9/21 Genesis 1:1-3:24 Ronald Hendel, The Book of Genesis: A Biography,

5 9/26 Job Selections from Job The satan in Light of the Creation Theology of Job 9/28 Psalms and Proverbs Psalms 8, 33, 104, 148 and other selections *Analytical Essay 1 Due 10/3 Enoch and The Watchers Genesis 5:1-6:4 Book of the Watchers Book of the Giants 10/5 Enoch and The Watchers Genesis 5:1-6:4 Book of the Watchers Book of the Giants 10/10 New Testament Constructions of a Spirit-Filled Universe John 1 1 Corinthians 2 Colossians 1 Ephesians 6 10/12 Other Early Christian Constructions Reality of the Rulers 10/17 Jesus the Magician Jesus the Magician, Managing a Spirit-Filled Universe- 10/19 Jesus the Magician Jesus the Magician, /24 Jesus the Magician Jesus the Magician,

6 10/26 Jesus the Magician Jesus the Magician, *Analytical Essay 2 Due 10/31 New Testament Warnings against Magic and Magicians Selections from Ephesians, Colossians, and 1 Timothy 11/2 The Magical Use of the New Testament Read and Discuss Specific Gospel and Pauline Manuscripts *Peer Reviews 11/7 Christian Magical Papyri Ancient Christian Magic, 1-9, (Christian Magical Papyri in Greek) 11/9 Christian Magical Papyri Ancient Christian Magic, (Healing and Protective Spells in Coptic) *Draft of final paper due 11/14 Christian Magical Papyri Ancient Christian Magic, (Sexual Spells and Curses in Coptic) 11/16 No Class (Peer Reviews week of 11/2 will replace this session) 11/21 No Class, SBL 11/23 No Class, Thanksgiving 11/28 Presentations 11/30 Presentations 12/5 Presentations 12/10 - Papers due by midnight 6