RE21190:  Bible as Controversy

CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY OF HONOLULU

SUMMER SESSION I 2017 (INTERNET-CHUUK)

CLASS TIME: Weekly

INSTRUCTOR: Dean F. McGinnis

OFFICE HOURS: M-F (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY)

CAMPUS OFFICE PHONE: 808-735-4827

HONOLULU HOME OFFICE: 808-220-2782

BOSTON HOME OFFICE: 781-350-5678

FAX: 781-350-5628

EMAIL: [email protected]

REQUIRED TEXT(S):

1. Reading the Bible, A Study Guide, Carmody, Timothy, R.

· Paulist Press 2004

· ISBN-10: 0809141892

· ISBN-13: 978-0809141890

2. Access to any generally accepted bible 

In addition to the text, there will be a number of handouts, available online at no cost, for the student’s reference and use throughout the course.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Ancient scriptural documents have erupted into modern controversies, ranging from questions over biblical fundamentalism to the meaning of Jesus in contemporary times. Questions concerning the creation stories, the monarchy of Israel, the movement of Jesus the Jew, the writings of Paul, and the historical and contemporary uses and abuses of the Bible will be examined in detail. 

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES/ASSESSMENT:

· Expose the biblical world in a way that allows the element of controversy to emerge for the sake of appreciating the complex character and nature of the material both as a whole as well as its component parts.

· Sift through a multitude of controversial texts, events, characters, messages, interpretations of, and approaches toward, scripture which excite and alarm both believers and non-believers.

· Foster a critical use of the biblical material on the basis of contemporary biblical scholarship utilizing available historical, scientific, linguistic and theological tools which enable examination and consideration of variant points of view.

· Contextualize the controversial character of scripture within the scope of conflict that defines the human condition and which ranges through the bulk of human literature, religious and secular.

CLASS PARTICIPATION/INTERACTION REQUIREMENTS:

Students are expected to attend all classes. Attending all classes is defined as logging on to the website at least once a week. Participation is defined as preparing for, completion of, and participation in, all reading assignments, group discussions and writing assignments given at the discretion of the instructor. Students will be required to respond to at least two of their fellow students’ assignments each week via the website. Additional interaction is encouraged but not required

Note:  It is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor of any specific special needs or difficulties that one may have in order that appropriate strategies for the completion of the work may be mutually developed.

Course Methodology/ ASSIGNMENTS:

Instruction will consist of readings, videos, group discussions, personal reflections and papers. Students will be expected to participate in the group discussions. Assignments will be posted to the website per the schedule and should be completed in conjunction with the schedule. 

FINAL PAPER:

The final paper will be a creative 4-8 page paper comparing and contrasting how biblical interpretation has affected the major Judeo/Christian faith traditions, historical political decisions, as well as, the students own personal perspective. 

FINAL EXAM:

This will be a comprehensive exam and will be administered online. 

GRADING POLICY:

Grading will be based upon regular class participation, reflection papers, final paper and the final exam as follows:

· CLASS PARTICIPATION/INTERACTION: 25%

· ASSIGNMENTS: 25%

· FINAL PAPER: 25%

· FINAL EXAM: 25% 

A: 90-100%; B: 80-89%; C: 70-79%; D: 60-69%; F: below 60%

· Incomplete Grades:

An Incomplete grade may be granted to the student, by the instructor, in accordance with University Policy, due to certain situations which include, but are not limited to:

· Completion of the majority of the coursework as determined by the instructor and:

o Documented family emergencies.

o Documented medical issues.

o Documented military orders.

All documentation should be first submitted to the instructor who will review the documentation and either grant the Incomplete or refer it to the appropriate University Official for review. Incompletes are valid for 90 days.

Organizational Themes/Marianist Educational Philosophy and Diversity:

Organizational themes refer to underlying structural links that contribute to the choice of content, the pedagogy selected for participation of the teacher/learner and student/teacher in bringing the content to life, and fulfillment of the course objectives within a broader frame of education and building community. 

1. The first set of organizational themes around which the course is constructed is drawn from the “Characteristics of Marianist Universities.”

v     Educate for formation in faith;

v     Provide an integral quality education;

v     Educate for family spirit;

v     Educate for service, justice and peace; and

v     Educate for adaptation and change.

2.  The second major organizational theme is diversity and the complex issues that arise when we look at religions as cultural institutions and artifacts. Diversity themes are developed in relation to the content of the course as well as the in relation to the student/learners who are participants in the course. 

ADA ACCOMMODATIONS:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAA), Chaminade University offers accommodations for individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability and/or would like to determine if you qualify for ADA accommodations, please contact the Counseling Center. Once your documentation is submitted, the assessments will be reviewed and the student will be notified. If one qualifies for ADA accommodations, an ADA contract will be signed by the student. Please remember that once you have signed an ADA agreement, you need to contact the ADA coordinator each semester (including summer sessions) to identify which instructors you want notified of your accommodations. This is to ensure your privacy. Faculty will be informed of the accommodations you are to receive but not the nature of your disability. From the time that appropriate documentation is received by the ADA Coordinator, please allow 2 to 3 weeks to process your paperwork. Processing time may vary pending the volume of requests received. 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY (HONESTY):

Academic honesty is an essential aspect of all learning, scholarship, and research. It is one of the values regarded most highly by academic communities throughout the world. Violations of the principle of academic honesty are extremely serious and will not be tolerated. Students are responsible for promoting academic honesty at Chaminade by not participating in any act of dishonesty and by reporting any incidence of academic dishonesty to an instructor or to a University official. Academic dishonesty may include theft of records or examinations, alteration of grades, and plagiarism.Questions of academic dishonesty in a particular class are first reviewed by the instructor, who must make a report with recommendations to the Dean of the Academic Division. Punishment for academic dishonesty will be determined by the instructor and the Dean of the Academic Division and may range from an 'F' grade for the work in question to an 'F' for the course to suspension or dismissal from the University.

COURSE SCHEDULE/READING ASSIGNMENTS (subject to revision): 

WEEK ONE (MAY 29, 2017-JUNE 4, 2017)

Part 1:

· Introduction

· REQUIRED QUESTIONNAIRE

· Carmody Chapter 1     

· Versions of the Bible Handout

· Understanding Religion Video

· Who Wrote the Bible (Part 1) Video

· Who Wrote the Bible (Part 2) Video 

Part 2:

· Carmody Chapter 2

· US News: pp. 2-9 Handout

· Interpreting Ancient Manuscripts (click on the images at the top)

· Indigenous/Oral Religions/Traditions Video

· Old Testament Video 

WEEK TWO (JUNE 5, 2017-JUNE 11, 2017)

Part 1:

· Carmody Chapter 3

· Genesis Chapters 1-2 (The Creation Stories)

· US News: pp. 44-49 Handout

· Bible Timeline Handout

· Creation Video

· Big Bang Video

· Evolution Video 

Part 2:

· Carmody Chapter 4

· Genesis Chapters 6-8 (The Flood)

· Hermeneutics Handout

· Textural Criticism Handout

· Exegesis Handout

· Flood Video

· DNA Alien Video

· Missing Books of The Bible Video 

WEEK THREE (JUNE 12, 2017-JUNE 18, 2017)

Part 1:

· Carmody Chapter 5

· Schism of 1054 Handout

· Church Councils Handout

· Protestant Reformation Handout

· Luther's 95 Thesis Handout

· Purgatory Handout

· Johannes Guttenberg and the Printing Press Video

· History of Christianity (Part 1) Video

· History of Christianity (Part 2) Video

Part 2:

· Carmody Chapter 6

· US News: pp. 26-29 Handout

· Paul Chronology Handout

· Paul Video

· History of Christianity (Part 3) Video

· History of Christianity (Part 4) Video 

WEEK FOUR (JUNE 19, 2017-JUNE 25, 2017)

Part 1:

· Carmody Chapter 7

· Synoptic Gospels Handout

· History of Christianity (Part 5) Video

· History of Christianity (Part 6) Video 

Part 2:

· Carmody Chapter 8

· US News: pp. 19-24 Handout

· Gospel of John Handout

· The First Christians (Part 1) Video

· The First Christians (Part 2) Video 

WEEK FIVE (JUNE 26, 2017-JULY 2, 2017)

Part 1:

· Carmody Chapter 9 

· US News: pp. 59-63 Handout

· Decree on Ecumenism (Unitatis Redintegratio) Handout

· The First Christians (Part 3) Video

· The First Christians (Part 4) Video 

Part 2:

· Carmody Chapter 10

· US News: pp. 51-56 Handout

· US News: pp. 73-76 Handout

· Antichrist Video

· End Times Video

Final Paper due

Get caught up on late work

Final exam