In this course on Sacred Text of Mideast Traditions we are introduced to a selection of ancient texts formative to the traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Approaching these texts sets our course for discovery to literally discover, uncover and reveal. At the outset we should acknowledge the texts we can read were originally orally and aurally transmitted, cherished and preserved. The texts we read are the result of scribing and recording of culture, experience, expression and mores by individuals and communities. Recognizing this development prompts us to further appreciate the complexity of these texts. We will become familiar with and learn to employ textual, interpretative and tradition based tools with which we shall examine these texts and wonder at what they may hold. Our texts also reveal stories and events that the Mideast traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam hold as significant and formative. The three traditions celebrate these events as sacred, holy days that include Pesach, Easter (Pascha), and Eid aladha, each ritualized with food, symbol, and expression of faith. We have three broad goals in this course: 1) Bring life to these readings through engaged reading, discussion, interpretation and creative reflection 2) Foster vital effective individual and communal learning experience 3) Discover in these readings many of the roots that inform ideas and practices in monotheistic traditions We will read from Genesis, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Psalms, Gospels of Mark, Matthew, John and Thomas, and the Qurʹan. And we shall follow particular ancient stories that appear in the texts of these traditions and continue to resonate today. The story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, for example, still provokes hot debate on issues of free will, gender equality or inequality, evil, faith and divine purpose. Such texts are more than the sum of their words. They inspire and provoke us; they are portals to rich human experience. During the semester, we will each have the opportunity to volunteer for two half day food based service placements (such as a soup kitchen or meal distribution). Located near campus the placements are coordinated through Fordham s Community Service Program. In performing this service we are also practicing a tenet of Fordham s mission. We also learn experientially, and may be more able to consider our readings, ourselves and our community. We are invited to become engaged both in and out of class. Note about the course content: Fordham Theology Department guidelines for this course charge learners to explore sacredtext and scripture of the Mid East. Learners should not presume for this course to be, or to replace, a survey of religions. Notes Organization of the readings: Scripture and sacred text readings in Judaism, Christianity and Islam comprise the first section of our Course Reader. The other units serve to compliment and broaden our enquiry in these sacred texts. Organized thus aids our broader and cross reading throughout the course. For example, a sura from The Qurʹan can easily be accessed and read with a selection from The Gospel of Matthew and from Genesis. Scripture and sacred text readings are assigned for any class meeting are listed first under that day. Readings may be substituted during the semester. Please check our website regularly for updates. Full bibliographic references of the texts cited below are listed in the Table of Contents in the 2811 Course Reader. Syllabus (By unit) Unit one: What is Religion? Does studying religion matter to us? Unit two: Sacred Texts of Judaism Unit three: Sacred Texts of Christianity Unit four: Sacred Texts of Islam Requirements Please refer to the 2811 Course Requirements Handout RSRG 2811 001/002 Syllabus Fall 07 Page 1 of 6
Unit One: What is religion? Does religion matter to us? Sept. 06, 2007 Sept. 10 Welcome: Introduction to Sacred Texts of Middle East Traditions: First meeting: Introductions, overview, course goals, intake questionnaire, partner pairing, first assignment. Support Reading: Opening perspectives, key terms, religion, ritual, and myth World Religions Today (2e). J. Esposito, D. Fasching, and T. Lewis Globalization: World Religions in Everyone s Hometown (Chapter 1) 002 032 ( ) On Line Unit Two: Sacred Texts of Judaism Texts of Judaism: Section One a) Creation of the World Creation of Mankind b) Reading the Text Textual Reading Sept. 12 Wednesday Sept. 13 Sept. 17 Source: Genesis: Chapters 1 and 2 Creation of the world; Creation of Mankind (01) 004 005 Source: Genesis: Chapters 1 and 2 Creation of the world; Creation of Mankind Support Reading: Elements of Context social, historical, political, cultural, and interpretive A Journey through the Hebrew Bible, Frank Frick. Two kinds of history: Historie and Geschicte Creation myths in Gen 1 3 and in Emuna Elish Priestly /Yahwistic creation, Creation of woman Source: Genesis: Chapter 3 Garden of Eden Support Reading: Interpreting across time and culture witness, response and compassion The Genesis of Justice. Alan M. Dershowitz God threatens and backs down (01) 004 005 (29) 138 150 (29) 138 150 (01) 006 006 (33) 158 169 Sept. 20 **Guest: Melissa Alvarenga: Coordinator, Fordham Community Service Program Source: Genesis: Chapter 6: 9 22 Noah: Flood, Prophesy, and Covenant Genesis: Chapter 8: 15 22; 9: 1 17 Noah: Flood, Prophesy, and Covenant Genesis: Chapter 12: 1 4 The Call of Abram (01) 007 010 (01) 007 010 (01) 007 010 Support Reading: a) Development and application of legal principle. b) Identity and response World Religions: Western Traditions, 2e. Willard Oxtoby, editor / The Jewish Tradition Alan Segal Development of Jewish Law ; Applying Legal Principles Creation and the Persistence of Evil: The Jewish Drama of Divine Omnipotence. John D. Levenson Argument and Obedience ( ) On line (37) 197 202 Sept. 24 Texts of Judaism: Section Two a) Compassion, Advocacy, and Response b) Drawing out from the texts Commandments and Righteousness Source: Genesis: Chapter 18: 1 15 The Hospitality of Abraham Genesis: Chapter 18: 16 33 Abraham, Justice, and the People of Sodom and Gomorrah (01) 012 013 (01) 012 013 Support Reading: Examining moral and ethical initiative, directive, and response The Jewish Encyclopedia of Moral and Ethical Issues. Nachum Amsel Mitzvot Commandments Tzedakah More than Charity (38) 204 206 (39) 207 210 RSRG 2811 001/002 Syllabus Fall 07 Page 2 of 6
Sept. 27 In Class Development Session October 01 Source: Genesis: Chapter 22 The Binding of Isaac Support Reading: Difficult questions Interpreting across time: witness, response and compassion The Genesis of Justice. Alan M. Dershowitz Abraham commits attempted murder and is praised (01) 013 013 (34) 170 185 Texts of Judaism: Section Three a) Seeds of salvation and redemption b) Orthopraxis and orthodoxy We will do and we will listen c) Poetry October 04 Oct. 08 Mon Source: Exodus: Chapters 12 13, 15 17, 19 20, 24, 32, 34 (Selections TBA) Exodus from Egypt, Passover (directives), Giving & Receiving the Commandments in Sinai Deuteronomy: 30 Moses last speech Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes (Selections TBA) Columbus Day University Closed (02) 013 023 (03) 024 (4 6) 025 036 October 11 Texts of Judaism: Section Four a) In the name of violence and texts Support Reading: Difficult questions text, language, violence, humans and God Terror in the Mind of God: The Global Rise of Religious Violence (3 e). Mark Juergensmeyer Terror and God (An Introduction) Zion Betrayed (47) 257 264 (48) 265 272 October 15 Texts of Christianity: Section One a) Opening the Gospels b) Background to the Gospels c) Historical and Social Context Unit Three: Sacred Texts of Christianity Source: Mathew: Chapters 1 4 Genealogy, Authority, Blessing Mark: Chapters 1 4 Beginning, Prophesy, Miracles (08) 043 057 (09) 060 065 October 18 Support Reading: New Testament, Christian Scripture and its context The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. (3e) Bert Ehrman The traditions of Jesus in their Greco Roman context Source: Matthew: Chapters 5 8 Sermon on the Mount, Beatitudes John: Chapters 1 4 Beginnings, Word, Co creator, Light and Salvation Genesis: Chapter 1 and 2 Reread /and [Romans: Chapter (tba)] (51) 291 296 (08) 043 065 (10) 066 076 (01) 004 006 Support Reading: Matthew, Mark and John Context, text, and connection The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. (3e) Bert Ehrman Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, the Gospel according to Matthew Jesus, the man sent from Heaven, The Gospel according to John (51) 297 306 (52) 307 318 RSRG 2811 001/002 Syllabus Fall 07 Page 3 of 6
Texts of Christianity: Section Two a) The Garden of Eden The nature of mankind b) Interpretations of humanity, sin and grace October 22 Source: Genesis Chapter 3 Garden of Eden Support Reading: Early Christians interpret Genesis 3: Theology, power, redemption and salvation Adam, Eve and the Serpent. Elaine Pagels. The nature of nature In the Beginning A Catholic Understanding of Creation and the Fall. Pope John Paul (Cardinal Ratzinger) Christology as Criterion and On Sin (01) 006 (54) 327 339 (55) 340 342 October 25 Source: Parables (Texts to be chosen in class a week prior to class) The HarperCollins Study Bible Table of Parallel Passages in The Four Gospels (look over) (07) 037 044 October 29 Texts of Christianity: Section Three a) Sacrifice Prophecies, redemption and salvation Crucifixion and legacy b) Feast Pascha and Easter Source: Genesis Chapter 22 The Binding of Isaac Matt 26: 26 29, Mark 14: 22 25, (Last Supper texts table) Luke 22: 15 25; 1Corrin.: 11:23 25 (Last Supper texts table) (01) 008 (60) 381 (60) 381 Nov. 01 Nov. 05 Support Reading: Early Christians interpret Genesis 22: A legacy of theology, power and salvation Abraham on Trial: The Social Legacy of Biblical Myth. Carol Delaney Christian commentary Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas. Elaine Pagels From the feast of Agape to the Nicene Creed Bread of Freedom (pages middle 231 235 middle) and Afterword Texts of Christianity: Section Four a) From Word to Action b) Service and Gratitude Support Reading: Elemental practice embodied living Practicing Christianity: Critical Perspectives for an Embodied Spirituality. Margaret R. Miles The word made flesh: Worship and Sacraments Gratitude and Responsibility: Service A Handbook of Living Religions. John R. Hinnells, editor Giving bread and Wine and The special use of water Source: Thomas: (Intro, ver. 1 20 and 79 114 Thomas comprises 114 verses, no separate chapters) Support Reading: Christianity and Christianities The Gospel of Mary of Magdala. Karen L. King The history of Christianity (59) 353 365 (60) 367 380 (44) 231 235 (61) 383 387 (62) 388 393 (63) 395 396 (11) 077 080 (64) 399 407 RSRG 2811 001/002 Syllabus Fall 07 Page 4 of 6
Texts of Christianity: Section Five a) In the name of violence and texts Nov. 8 Support Reading: Difficult questions text, language, violence, humans and God Terror in the Mind of God: The Global Rise of Religious Violence (3 e). Mark Juergensmeyer Soldiers for Christ (65) 408 420 Nov. 12 In Class Development session: Integrating our text with our course text Pre and Post reflections, Learning Analysis and Experiential Text Nov. 15 Unit Four: Sacred Texts of Islam Texts of Islam: Section One a) Creation of the World Creation of Mankind b) Reading the Text Textual Reading c) Creation of Mankind, Breath, Freewill and Responsibility Source: Qurʹan: Sura 1 The Opening Creation of the world; Creation of mankind Qurʹan: Sura 2 The Cow selections Creation of the world; Creation of mankind Qurʹan: Sura 3 House of Imran selections Creation of the world; Creation of mankind Qurʹan: Sura 15 Stoneland selections Creation of the world; Creation of mankind Qurʹan: Sura 95 Fig Creation of the world; Creation of mankind (11) 081 Support Reading: a) Hearing, recitation, and declaration. b) Creation narratives Hearing the Qurʹan Adhan Call to prayer (66) 421 Nov. 19 World Religions Today (2e). J. Esposito, D. Fasching, and T. Lewis Islam: The many faces of the Muslim Experience (Overview, Formative Era, Message of Qurʹan)) Source: Qurʹan: Sura 1 The Opening Creation of the world; Creation of mankind Qurʹan: Sura 2 The Cow selections Creation of the world; Creation of mankind Qurʹan: Sura 3 House of Imran selections Creation of the world; Creation of mankind Qurʹan: Sura 15 Stoneland selections Creation of the world; Creation of mankind Qurʹan: Sura 95 Fig Creation of the world; Creation of mankind (68) 423 427 (68) 430 439 (11) 081 Support Reading: The Vision of Islam. Sachiko Muratta and William Chittick Clay Spirits and bodies The human being Servant and Vicegerent Adam and Iblis Qurʹan and Woman: Reading the Sacred Text from a Woman s Perspective. Amina Wadud In the beginning, man and woman were equal: Human creation in the Qurʹan (70) 473 (71) 473 (72) 474 475 (73) 476 477 (74) 478 480 (75) 482 487 Nov 22 Thur Thanksgiving Blessed and Safe Holiday Texts of Islam: Section Two RSRG 2811 001/002 Syllabus Fall 07 Page 5 of 6
a) Foundations of Islam b) The Path, and The Oneness of Allah Nov. 26 Support Reading: Foundations of Islam, Practice, Pillars and Oneness World Religions Today (2e). J. Esposito, D. Fasching, and T. Lewis Islam: The many faces of the Muslim Experience (Pre modern Islam, Law, Five Pillars, Women) The Vision of Islam. Sachiko Muratta and William Chittick Tawhid (68) 447 459 tp (80) 531 537 Nov. 29 Texts of Islam: Section Three a) Faith Building Sacrifice Binding of the Son of Abraham b) Pilgrimage Source: Qurʹan: Sura 37.83 100 Arrangers Abraham smashes the idols /clears the Kaba Qurʹan: Sura 37.100 110 Arrangers Abraham sacrifices his son. (18) 098 (18) 098 Dec. 03 Support Reading: Journeys in Holy Lands. Reuven Firestone The Sacrifice Encyclopedia of Islam Eid al Adha and Hajj (illustration) Texts of Islam: Section Four a) Hadith Stories of the Prophet b) The Way of the World Sufism: Faith in text, dance and song Source: Qurʹan: Sura 17 Children of Abraham verses:1 4 Hadith: Muhammad s Night Journey Sufism. William Chittick The Sufi tradition, and Rumi (Selections to be noted) Essential Sufism. Edited by James Fadima and Robert Frager Sufi Humor (76) 488 506 (77) 507 508 (17) 096 097 (21) 101 101 (79) 524 530 (80) 531 537 Texts of Islam: Section Five a) In the name of violence and texts Dec. 06 Dec. 10 Support Reading: Difficult questions text, language, violence, humans and God Terror in the Mind of God: The Global Rise of Religious Violence (3 e). Mark Juergensmeyer Islam s Neglected Duty (78) 510 522 Last class Assessment Closure Review Comments and Questions Reading Period Dec. 21 Friday Dec. 20 Final Exam: 2811 002 (9:30 11:30AM) Final Exam: 2811 001 (9:30 11:30AM) RSRG 2811 001/002 Syllabus Fall 07 Page 6 of 6