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- Course Reading
Student's are required to read A Basic Guide to Interpreting the
Bible: Playing by the Rules (Robert H. Stein). The student's comprehension
of the material will be assessed in two ways. First, There will be quiz
based on Part I (chapters 1-4). This will be worth 15% of your course
grade. Second, your papers and presentation should reflect carefully
reading of the entire book (Part I & Part II). A reading schedule
is provided in the course schedule.
- In-Class Exercises
Because biblical interpretation and the use of Bible study methods and
tools is best learned by "doing", there will be In-class
Exercises that will be turned in for credit. These In-class Exercises
will be administered during our class time, and will constitute
20% of the student's grade
- Historical Research Assignment
The Historical Research Assignment will provide an opportunity
for the student to study a specific passage through the lense of historical
context. The student will select a passage (approximately 3-5 sentences
if prose or 6-8 sentences if poetry) and then write typed paper 2-3
pages in length, citing at least three different types of sources (Study
Bibles, Bible Handbooks, Bible Atlases, Bible Dictionaries, Bible Encyclopedias,
and Old and New Testament Introductions and Surveys). Please address
the following elements in your paper
General Historical Context of the Book
* Who was the author of the book? Is this debated, or generally
agreed upon? When was the book written by the author? Where was the
author located? What purpose did the author have in writing the book?
* Who was the original recipient or reader of the book? Is clear
who the book was intended for? What is known about the recipients or
readers? What about their location and relationship to the author?
Specific Cultural Issues in the Passage
* What specific social customs or cultural practices need to be explained?
* Some examples might include: Agricultural Practices, Historical
Kingdoms, Regions & Cities, Historical Figures & Events, Food,
Clothing, Employment, Family Relationships, Social Institutions, Beliefs,
etc...
- Literary Analysis Assignment
The Literary Analysis Assignment will provide an opportunity
for the student to study a specific passage through the lense of its
unique literary features. The student will use the same passage used
for the Historical Research Assignment writing a typed paper
2-3 pages in length, citing at least three different types of sources.
Please address the following elements in your paper: Literary Context,
Literary Genre, Grammatical Relationships, and Word Studies.
Literary Context
* What is the immediate context? What is the subject
matter that immediately precedes and immediately follows the passage
being studied? Why did the author place this passage in its particular
context, or how does the immediate context help to understand the passage
being studied.
* What is the canonical context? What does the rest of the Bible
say about this subject matter? How does this help to understand the
passage being studied?
Literary Genre
* What is the genre of the book in which the passage being
studied occurs? What are the important features of this genre? How
does this define how the passage is to be interpreted?
* What literary form and figures of speech are being used in the
passage being studied? What is unique about this literary form?
What is unique about these figures of speech? How is the literary form
to be interpreted? How are the figures of speech to be interpreted?
Grammatical Relationships
* What are the important coordinate and subordinate clauses
in the passage being studied? Please identify the type and importance
of these clauses.
* What are the important prepositional phrases in the passage being
studied? Please identify the type and importance of these phrases.
Word Studies
* Identify Key Words: Please identify 3-4 key
words in you passage that are important for understanding the passage.
Focus on words that are theologically important (i.e., righteousness,
faith, justify, etc...), and words that may not be clear in English,
thus needing further study and explanation.
* Determine the Semantic Range for each of the Key Words: Utilizing
an exhaustive concordance, identify the number associated wit the word
you are studying (be sure to match the concordance with the Bible translation
being used). Using the appendices in the back, find the number of the
word you are studying. Once you have found your word, record this word
in a "transliterated" form with a list of possible meanings.
Other translations may also provide possible meanings.
* Identify the Contextual Meaning for each of the Key Word? Once
the list of possible meanings has be identified, please select the the
word that is most logically consistent with the passage studied.
- Class Presentation
Based on the passage you have now completed both literary and historical
research for, prepare a 6-8 minute class presentation. The student will
need to provide a typed copy of the presentation (outline or prose is
fine) before beginning. Though there will not be sufficient time to
cover everything researched, the student should bring some of the most
helpful insights from the passage studied. The presentation should also
include some current applications of the text. These comments should
be directed to fellow classmates.
- Attendance, Class Participation, & Seating
Because student participation will be an important part of the learning
experience, attendance and class participation will be a part of the
overall grade in the course. Students are permitted one unexcused
absences without penalty. Only officially excused College events and
extended illnesses are considered excused absences. Unexcused absences
include sickness, car trouble, family or work obligations, previous
class hour activities, etc. Students should be wise, using their unexcused
absences only for real needs and emergencies. Each unexcused absence
after one will lower the student's grade based on the following scale:
2nd (-2% point), 3rd (-4% points; 6% total), & 4th (-8% points; 14%
total). Any student missing 5 classes or more, except for extended illness,
will automatically fail the course. Additional, In-Class Assignments
may not be made up except for the first unexcused absence. Students
must be in their seats at the start of class (11:00am). No student may
enter the class after 11:10am without receiving prior permission from
the instructor. If students miss class for any reason, they are responsible
for all class notes and announcements. They are to receive such information
from other students, not the instructor.
- Additional Course Information
Class behavior must be fitting for the college setting.
Any actions or talking that may be distracting or disrespectful to other
students or to the instructor are not permitted. Unresponsive offenders
may be dismissed from that day's session or face course failure.
Cheating is not tolerated in any form. Any instance of
cheating will result in immediate failure of the course. For more information,
see the official College policy in the Student Handbook.
Students with special needs requiring learning assistance or
accommodation must notify the instructor in writing before the end of
the second day of the course. Students should identify their needs in
order for the professor to assist them in their learning.
Office Hours. If you need to reach me for any reason,
you may use the phone number (651-635-8706) and e-mail (jai@nwc.edu)
address provided at the beginning of this syllabus at anytime. The best
time to meet with me is following our class at 1:30pm. If this does
not work for you, please set up an appointment by speaking to me directly
or contacting me by phone or e-mail
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