Interpretation
of
the
Bible
J W Aageson
Office: Academy 208
Phone: (218) 299-3425
aageson@gloria.cord.edu
OFFICE HOURS:
9:00-9:30 M. W.
1:00-2:00 M.
10:30-11:15 T. Th.
And by appoinment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to present and integrate the various methods
which biblical scholars have developed for the study of the Bible. Consideration
will be given to the manner in which the biblical text, the biblical context,
and the interpreter of the Bible interact. The class will be conducted
as a seminar and the students will be expected to read the designated readings,
contribute to class discussion, and write papers as assigned.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Bible, New Revised Standard Version
Troubling Biblical Waters, Cain Hope Felder
Biblical Interpretation: An Integrated Approach, W. Randoph Tate
Texts of Terror: Literary-Feminist Readings of Biblical Narratives
Phyllis Trible
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Read assigned readings
2. Quizzes (all of the quizzes combined will equal one exam)
3. Final Exam
4. Seminar text report
5. Four papers
6. Class participation
EVALUATION:
1. Quizzes combined-15%
2. Final exam-15%
3. Three papers-45% (15% each)
4. Oral presentation-10%
5. Attendance and class participation-15%
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Students are expected to be guided by the highest expressions of academic
integrity in completing course requirements. These expectations are
set forth in Academic Integrity at Concordia College. Students who
show a disregard for academic integrity and are detected should expect
to be penalized by receiving failing grades (in such cases make-up is not
possible). Each violation of academic integrity will be reported
to the Academic Dean’s Office and the offender will be placed on probationary
status for one year.
Violations of academic integrity include cheating, plagiarism, falsification, facilitating others’ violations and impeding. These violations are fully defined in Academic Integrity at Concordia College, pp. 11-13 and should be carefully studied.
These definitions were developed in a North American cultural context.
Other cultures define forms of academic dishonesty differently. International
students studying at Concordia, however, are expected to be guided by North
American norms of academic integrity. Any student who is unclear
about the application of these norms in the completion of a particular
assignment should consult the course instructor.
COURSE OUTLINE:
An Integrated Approach to Biblical Interpretation
September 7--Introduction
September 14—The World Behind the Text--Read: Tate pp. xix-xxvi,
3-11, 29-63; Genesis
1 & 2
1. Discussion of Tate
2. Film: "In God’s Image"
3. Interpretive Discussion
September 21--The World Within the Text--Read: Tate pp. 67-154;
Genesis 2 & 3
1. Discussion of Tate
2. Film: "Temptation"
3. Interpretive Discussion
4. Quiz
September 28--The World in Front of the Text--Read: Tate pp. 157-258;
Genesis 12-22, Gospel of Mark
1. Discussion of Tate
2. Film: "A Family Affair"
3. Interpretive Discussion
4. The Gospel of Mark: a Case in Point
Feminist Literary Interpretation
Old Testament Texts of Terror
October 5--Read: Trible pp. 1-63
Hagar—Read Genesis
16:1-16, 21:9-21
Tamar--Read: 2 Samuel
13:1-22
1. Discussion of Trible on Genesis
2. Evaluation
3. Discussion
of Trible on 2 Samuel
4. Evaluation
October 12--Read: Trible pp. 64-116
An Unnamed Woman--Read: Judges 19:1-30
Jephthah's
Daughter--Read: Judges 11:29-40
1. Discussion of Trible on Judges 19
2. Evaluation
3. Discussion of Trible on Judges 11
4. Evaluation
October 19—Feminism and the Bible
1. Film: "Mary Magdalen: An Intimate
Portrait"
2. Round Table Discussion Based on Student
Questions
3. Quiz
African American Interpretation
November 2—The Bible and Race—Read: Felder pp. xi-48
1. Discussion
2. Evaluation
November 9--The Bible and Class--Read: Felder pp. 51-134
1. Discussion
2. Evaluation
November 16—The Bible and Family--Read: Felder pp. 139-177
1. Discussion
2. Evaluation
3. Film: "Amistad"
November 23 (No Class)
November 30—Seminar Text Reports
Quiz
December 7—Seminar Text Reports
December 14—Final Exam
PAPERS 1, 2, & 3:
Each student in the seminar will select a biblical text of manageable
proportions. Three six-page interpretive papers will be written on
the
same text: The first looking at "the world behind the text," the second
looking at "the world within the text," and the third looking at "the
world in front of the text." These three approaches to biblical texts
are
described and evaluated by Randolph Tate in his book. These papers
are to be typed, fully annotated, inclusive in the use of language, and
presented as formal interpretations of biblical texts. The dates for the
three papers are:
September 28, October 19, and November 16.
PAPER 4:
Paper four shall be a summary and integration of the insights, perspectives,
and conclusions of papers 1, 2, & 3. It shall be written and presented
to the class on November 30 or December 7 as a seminar text report. In
this paper/report the students shall draw together their conclusions regarding
their interpretation of the biblical text under consideration. This paper
will be turned in to the instructor but will be graded primarily on the
basis of the oral report.
QUIZ DATES:
September 21
October 19
November 30
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Last updated Sept. 17, 1998.