ENGL A141: The Bible As Literature
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 10/21/2020 |
| Top Code | 150300 - Comparative Literature |
| Units | 3 Total Units |
| Hours | 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54) |
| Total Outside of Class Hours | 0 |
| Course Credit Status | Credit: Degree Applicable (D) |
| Material Fee | No |
| Basic Skills | Not Basic Skills (N) |
| Repeatable | No |
| Grading Policy | Standard Letter (S),
|
| Associate Arts Local General Education (GE) |
|
| Associate Science Local General Education (GE) |
|
| California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) |
|
| Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) |
|
| California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth) |
|
Course Description
Read, analyze, and write on important Biblical works from both the Old and New Testament canon. Explore the historical, cultural, philosophical, and aesthetic implications of representative works, their origins and adoption. Formulate and produce written analysis of assigned works. Enrollment Limitation: ENGL A141H; students who complete ENGL A141 may not enroll in or receive credit for ENGL A141H. ADVISORY: ENGL C1000. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Write Analytical arguments about the Bible and its influences.
Course Objectives
- 1. Read and demonstrate an understanding of no fewer than 4 long works (books of the Bible) of Biblical literature, supplemented by either more long works or enough shorter works or excerpts of works to constitute an introductory survey course.
- 2. Identify and examine the philosophical, cultural, mythic, religious, and/or historical elements that are represented in Biblical literature or that provide a background context for Biblical literature.
- 3. Learn to read closely in order to recognize and interpret the literary devices and writing styles evident in individual texts of Biblical literature. Appreciate how these elements make each work a representation of an individual authors artistic sensibility, of a particular set of circumstances, and/or of a larger group of literature.
- 4. Examine the influence of different gender, economic, cultural, racial, and/or ethnic groups on Biblical literature.
- 5. Recognize how individual works of Biblical literature reflect and comment on moral, social, and aesthetic issues.
- 6. Write a minimum of 3000 words (15 pages, 12 pt. double spaced typed) about Biblical literature: (a) a minimum of 2000 words (10 pages) of the writing must be in the form of analytical essays, (b) the other writings may be in the form of tests requiring primarily short and/or long essay responses, journal writings, creative modeling of the literature, written notes outlining oral presentations, written scripts for film/video presentations, or other types of writings that demonstrate an understanding of the literature.
Lecture Content
A. Careful critical reading and discussion of representative divisions of the Bible, such as the major Pentateuch books (Genesis and Exodus to depth), Joshua, Judges, I and II Samuel, Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, Matthew, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, I and II Corinthians, Hebrews with a sensitivity to how the passages work and convey their meaning. B. Study of the characteristics of biblical genres or literary forms: 1 Saga, the historical narratives, and folktales (traditional patterns of legendary and heroic literature in the narratives of the patriarchs, Saul and David, folk legends of Judges). 2. Hebrew poetry (cola, parallelism, metaphor, sound repetitions in Psalms, Proverbs, the Song of Songs, the Prophets and sections of the Pentateuch). 3. Short story (character, plot, symbol, foreshadowing in Ruth, Esther, Jonah). 4. Drama (Job as a dramatic.philosophical poem with confrontation of the protagonist and comforters leading to a climax). 5. Wisdom literature (the contrasting literary genres and world views of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, the theological argument of Romans). 6. Biography (the selection of details in Matthew and Luke to convey different views of Christ and use of style to suit audience). 7. Didactic literature (allegory, irony, paradox, logic in the teachings and parables of Christ in the Gospels, the Epistles). 8. Prophecy (philosophical writing, rhetorical methodology and poetic devices). C. Influence of biblical themes, motifs, and styles on Western literature: Creation John Milton, Paradise Lost Joseph Thomas Mann, Joseph and His Brothers Ten Commandments Arthur Hugh Clough, "The Latest Decalogue" Samson John Milton, Samson Agonists Saul and David Thomas Hardy, The Mayor of Casterbridge Job Archibald MacLeish, J.B. Franz Kafka, The Trial Christ The Second Shepherds Play T.S. Eliot, Jo urney of the Magi
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
- DE Online Lecture (02X)
Instructional Techniques
Lecture and application of ideas, discussion, instructor feedback on written papers and discussion, peer feedback.
Reading Assignments
Reading Assignments: Approximately 2- 4 hours per week, approximately 32-54 hours total per semester. Students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss assigned reading which includes but is not limited to the Bible, works inspired by the bible and biblical scholarship and criticism, and comparitive works (i.e. Greek mythology, the Koran). As an Honors course Students may devote 1-2 hours per week reading works designated for Honors.
Writing Assignments
Writing: Approximately 2-4 hours per week for a total 32-54 hours per semester writing a minimum of 3000 words (15 pages, 12 pt. double.spaced typed) about Biblical literature: (a) a minimum of 2000 words (10 pages) of the writing must be in the form of analytical essays, (b) the other writings may be in the form of tests requiring primarily short and/or long essay responses, journal writings, creative modeling of the literature, written notes outlining oral presentations, written scripts for film/video presentations, or other types of writings that demonstrate an understanding of the Bible as literature. As an Honors course Students may devote 1-2 hours per week working on designated writing projects for Honors.
Out-of-class Assignments
Out-of-Class: Approximately 2-4 hours per week for a total 32-54 hours per semester. The writing assignments for this class are mostly completed out of class are are listed under "Writing Assginments." and includes Essays, summaries, responses, conducting research papers with secondary sources, and take-home exams. As an Honors course Students may devote 4 hours per semester meeting with the instructor to discuss designated Honors reading and/or Honors writing projects.
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Written essays and examinations.
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
Write a minimum of 3000 words (15 pages, 12 pt. double.spaced typed) about Biblical literature: (a) a minimum of 2000 words (10 pages) of the writing must be in the form of analytical essays, (b) the other writings may be in the form of tests requiring primarily short and/or long essay responses, journal writings, creative modeling of the literature, written notes outlining oral presentations, written scripts for film/video presentations, or other types of writings that demonstrate an understanding of the literature.
Textbooks Resources
1. Required Luther, Martin. On Christian Liberty, ed. North Dakota: Augsburg Fortress, 2003 Rationale: Luther, Martin. On Christian Liberty. North Dakota: Augsburg Fortress, 2003 2. Required Newman, John Henry, Cardinal. The Uses of Knowledge, ed. Wheeling, IL: Harlan Davidson, 2002 Rationale: Newman, John Henry, Cardinal. The Uses of Knowledge. Wheeling, IL: Harlan Davidson, 2002 3. Required Harris, Stephen. Understanding the Bible, Eighth Edition ed. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2011 4. Required Hoffman, Gary. Pomegranate Gospel, First ed. Huntington Beach: Verve Press, 2016
Other Resources
1. The Bible: Authoritative King James Version. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008