Religion 213
Instructor: Dr. David C. Aune
Office: 41 Miller Hall Office phone: X5238 E-mail: daune@ashland.edu
Office hours: MWF 11-12; Tues 1-3 (other times by appointment)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will consist of a close reading of the Acts of the Apostles, Paul's letters and other relevant early Christian texts, aided by some useful secondary sources. Of interest are not only the social and theological concerns addressed by the apostle Paul, but also the ways in which Paul's teachings apply to the contemporary world. In this regard, we will often focus on many of the seemingly difficult passages throughout Paul's letters.
Class sessions will include interactive lectures and discussion. It is recommended that students have prior knowledge of the Bible and basic Christian teaching. This course does not fulfill the “Tier I” Religion core requirement but it does fulfill the Biblical Studies area requirement in Religion.
OBJECTIVES AND STUDENT OUTCOMES
The objectives and outcomes of this course are as follows:
1. To acquire a basic knowledge of the apostle Paul's life and accomplishments, including the overall purposes and themes of his major letters. Students completing this course should be able to convey the basic framework of Paul's life as well as the major issues with which Paul (and his communities) were concerned and how they were addressed in Paul's letters.
2. To gain an appreciation for Paul's contributions to the development of Christianity. Since many foundational Christian doctrines derive from Paul's writings, students completing this course should become familiar with Paul's basic theological issues. Furthermore, students should be able to identify specific ways in which their understanding of Christianity has been enriched by studying this material.
3. To pay particular attention to those Pauline texts which are often difficult to interpret or to apply in the contemporary world. Students completing this course should be better equipped to make interpretive decisions about so-called “difficult” Pauline passages and to articulate the various principles that they use to analyze and interpret Pauline writings for Christian faith and practice.
• To research a specific theme or topic from Paul's letters which students may find
particularly interesting or relevant. Students will have the opportunity to select a topic in consultation with Dr. Aune and pursue this topic in a research project culminating in a final paper.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS (at the AU Bookstore)
The Apostle Paul: An Introduction to his Writings and Teaching , by Marion Soards.
The Hard Sayings of Paul , by Manfred T. Brauch. (“Brauch”)
Paul The Apostle to America by Robert Jewett (“Jewett”)
The Bible , in a contemporary English translation. Especially recommended are the NRSV, the NIV or the NASB.
In addition, there will be occasional hand-outs which you will also be required to read.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Careful study and preparation of all assignments . Make every effort to study and reflect upon the assigned readings prior to class. Topics for each day are clearly stated on the syllabus. In most cases, you should read the material in this order: skim the texts from Paul's writings to familiarize yourself with the topic, read carefully the secondary sources from Soards, Brauch or Jewett to familiarize yourself with background info or other issues raised by the Pauline texts and then go back and carefully study Paul's writings to formulate your own views about the passages.
2. Attendance and class participation (50 points) . You will be expected to attend class regularly and on time! Throughout the semester, you should also participate in class discussions and generate thoughtful comments and questions about the material. Class discussions will be fruitless if you do not keep up with the reading. If, for any reason, you must miss class, you are responsible for getting information that was covered. There is a “no fault” absence policy: a missed class is a missed class, no matter what the reason.
Assessment of your class participation at the end of the semester will be as follows:
Grade A (45-50 points): Nearly perfect attendance (missed three classes or less), frequent substantial comments or questions, demonstrated serious interest in the course material.
Grade B (40-45 points): Regular attendance (missed less than five classes), occasionally raised substantial comments or questions in class, demonstrated some interest in the course readings.
Grade C (35-40 points): Sporadic attendance (missed more than five classes), sometimes raised comments or questions, demonstrated little, if any, interest in the course readings.
Grade D (30-35 points): Infrequent attendance (missed more than eight classes), and demonstrated very little interest in the class.
Grade F (29 points or lower): Infrequent attendance (missed more than nine classes) and demonstrated no serious interest in the course. This failing grade for class participation is usually “achieved” only by working diligently to miss class consistently. The instructor reserves the right to lower your grade even further (to the point of course failure) if you miss an inordinate number of classes.
At any time in the semester, Dr. Aune can inform you of your attendance/participation grade.
3. Assignment journal (150 pts) . Throughout the semester, you will be required to keep a journal of comments and reflections that are based on the class readings, including a map assignment. Focus your comments directly on the class readings. The map assignment is due Fri, Sept 3 (this should be included in your journal). Beginning on Sept 10 th , you will be required to submit your journal for the week (approx 2 pages) before class time each Friday. You may skip three weeks throughout the semester in addition to exam weeks; there must be at least ten distinct journal entries . Pages will be returned to you the following Monday with brief comments. You may then add additional comments or notes in your journal. Please purchase a small 3-ring binder for this purpose. The final version of your journal must be handed in no later than Wed, Dec 4 th ; a grade will be assigned to the journal at that time.
3. Two in-class examinations (200 pts altogether). The exams will cover the basic content and major themes of the Pauline letters. You will be required to identify and explain the significance of important terms and key Pauline texts. The exams will not be comprehensive and a study guide will be provided ahead of time. Each exam will be worth 100 pts.
4. Research project (7-8 pp. minimum) on a topic of your choice (200 pts altogether). Early in the semester you should consider a number of potential topics dealing either with a specific Pauline passage or a series of passages dealing with a particular theological or social issue. Very likely, you may want to pursue a topic related to questions discussed in your assignment journal. Begin your search for a paper topic soon; refinements of the topic will probably be necessary!
By Mon, Nov 8, you must hand in a brief (1 page) paper précis which includes your topic, the central questions you want to pursue and at least three bibliographical sources (25 pts).
If desired, you may set up an individual writing conference in November or early December with Dr. Aune. The final draft of your paper (175 pts) is due no later than 5:00 pm on Friday Dec 10 (last day of classes). Late paper précis and late papers will be penalized by 10 points for every day that they are late. There will be no final examination in this course.
Assessment of final grade will be as follows: 561-600 pts A
Class participation 50 points 540-560 pts A-
Assignment journal 150 points 525-539 pts B+
Exam #1 100 points 501-524 pts B
Exam #2 100 points 480-500 pts B-
Paper précis 25 points 465-479 pts C+
Final paper 175 points 442-464 pts C
441-420 pts C-
Total 600 points etc.
360 or below F
All students are bound by the academic integrity policy in the most recent AU student handbook. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to plagiarism (the intentional or unintentional presentation of someone else's words or ideas as one's own without proper documentation), fabrication (the intentional falsification or invention of research, citations or other information) and cheating (an act of deception in which a student represents mastery of information that s/he has not mastered). Dr. Aune will follow the process for dealing with these violations that is detailed in the Student Handbook.
CLASS SCHEDULE
Date Topic Readings
Mon 8/30 Introduction
What methodology will we be using to study Paul's life and letters?
How should we deal with “difficult” texts in the Pauline epistles?
What interests and concerns do you bring to this course?
Wed 9/1 Approaches to Paul's Life and Letters Soards, 1-13; Jewett, 3-12
[Map assignment handed out]
Paul's Jewish Heritage Soards, 14-18
The Beginning of Paul's Ministry Soards, 19-25
Special focus: Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-31; Galatians 1:11—2:10
Rel 213, p. 4
Fri 9/3 Overview of Paul's Life and Work, part 1 Soards, 33-36
[Map assignment due]
Special focus: Acts 13-14 (First missionary journey)
Acts 15 (Jerusalem Council)
Wed 9/8 Overview of Paul's Life and Work, part 2
Special focus: Acts 16—18:22 (Second Missionary Journey)
Acts 18:23—21:16 (Third Missionary Journey)
Fri 9/10 Paul as a Letter-Writer: Purpose and Plan of his Epistles Soards, 27-32; 122-127
Special focus: Philemon
Paul's Christ-centered Apocalyptic Perspective Soards, 37-41
Mon 9/13 Principles for Interpreting Paul's Epistles Brauch, 10-21
Paul and the Thessalonian Community, part 1 Soards, 44-56
Background in Acts: Acts 17:1-10
Correspondence: 1 Thessalonians
Special focus: 1 Thess 1:2-10; 2:9-12; 3:6-10
Wed 9/15 Paul and the Thessalonian Community, part 2
Special focus : 1 Thess 2:13-16 Brauch, 240-242
1 Thess 4:1-18; 5:1-11 Jewett, 73-86
Fri 9/17 Paul and the Thessalonian Community, part 3 Soards, 131-137
Correspondence: 2 Thessalonians
Special focus: 2 Thess 1:5-12; 2:1-12; 3:6-15 Brauch, 243-51
Mon 9/20 Paul Defends the Message of Grace in Galatians Soards, 57-64
Brauch, 192-96
Background in Acts: Acts 16-19
Correspondence : Galatians
Special focus : Gal 1:6-10; 3:1-14
Wed 9/22 The “Faithfulness” of Christ as Expressed in Galatians Soards, 64-67
Hand-out on “Pistis Christou”
Special focus: Gal 2:15-21
Further Arguments about Freedom from the Law Special focus: Gal 3:15-29; Gal 4:1-31
Fri 9/24 The “Spirit/Flesh” Dichotomy and Community life in Galatians Soards, 187-194
Correspondence : Galatians 5-6
Special focus : Gal 5:1, 13-26; Gal 6:1-5; 12-15
Mon 9/27 Paul's Gospel as expressed in Romans, part 1 Soards, 95-105 Correspondence : Romans 1, 15-16 Brauch, 22-26
Special focus : Rom 1:8-32; 15:14-29; 16:17-20
Wed 9/29 Paul's Gospel as expressed in Romans, part 2 Soards, 106 Brauch, 27-36
Correspondence : Romans 2-5
Special focus : Rom 2: 12-16; 2:25-29; 3:21-27; 5:12-21
Fri 10/1 Paul's Gospel as expressed in Romans, part 3 Hand-out on Romans
Correspondence : Romans 6 Brauch, 37-42
Special focus : Rom 6:1-23
The “Struggle with Sin” and “Bondage of the Will” Correspondence : Romans 7 Brauch, 43-46
Special focus : Rom 6:1-23; 7:5-25 Jewett, 87-97
Mon 10/4 Life of Freedom in the Spirit
Correspondence : Romans 8
Special focus : Rom 8:1-17; 18-30; 31-39 Brauch, 47-50
Wed 10/6 Divine Justice and the Jewish People, part 1 Soards, 107-108
Brauch, 51-62 Correspondence : Romans 9-11
Special focus : Rom 9:1-18; 22-26; 30-33; Rom 10:1-17
Fri 10/8 Divine Justice and the Jewish People, part 2
Special focus : Rom 11:1-7; 11-32 Brauch, 63-71
Jewett, 32-44
Mon 10/11 Sacrificial Living in the Christian Community, part 1 Soards, 108-110
Correspondences : Romans 12-14 Brauch, 76-84 Special focus : Rom 12:1-21; Rom 13:1-10
Special focus: Rom 14:1-23; 15:1-13
Review for exam #1
Fri, 10/15 Exam #1 (Paul's life, ministry and the letters to Philemon, Thessalonica, Galatia and Rome)
[No journals due this week]
Mon 10/18 Divisions in the Corinthian Community Soards, 71-77
Brauch, 90-95
Background in Acts: Acts 18
Correspondence: 1 Corinthians 1-4; 16
Special focus : 1 Cor 1:1-17; 2:1-5; 3:3, 5-17; 16:5-24
Wed 10/20 Concerns in Corinth: Lawsuits and Sexual Conduct Soards, 77-81
Brauch, 96-102; 108-117
Correspondence: 1 Corinthians 5-7
Special focus : 1 Cor 5:1-5; 6:1-8, 18-20; 7:1-9, 29-31
Fri 10/22 Concerns in Corinth, continued Jewett, 59-69
Correspondence: 1 Corinthians 7-9 Brauch, 118-128
Special focus : 1 Cor 8:1-13; 10:14-33
Mon, 10/25 The Call for Unity and Love in the Corinthian Community Jewett, 112-127
Correspondence: 1 Corinthians 11-13 Brauch, 154-58
Special focus : 1 Cor 11:17-34; 12:1-13, 27-31; 13:1-13
Wed, 10/27 Spiritual Gifts: Their Use and Abuse in the Corinthian Community Brauch, 159-65
Correspondence: 1 Corinthians 14
Fri, 10/29 Christ's Resurrection and the Future Resurrection of Believers Soards, 183-86
Correspondence: 1 Corinthians 15 Brauch, 173-77
Mon 11/1 Opposition to Paul's Ministry in Corinth and the “Collection” Soards, 82-83; 88-91
Historical Background : Acts 20:16; 21:1-26
Correspondence: 2 Corinthians 1-2, 7-9
Special focus : 2 Cor 2:1-11; 7:5-13; 8:1-15; 9:1-8
Wed 11/3 Treasure in Earthen Vessels and the Ministry of Reconciliation Soards, 92-93
Brauch, 182-86
Correspondence: 2 Corinthians 4-5; 10-13
Special focus: 2 Cor 4:7-18; 5:1-21
Fri 11/5 Letter of Friendship from Prison Soards, 112-121
Brauch, 218-227
Historical Background : Acts 16:12-40; 20:6
Correspondences: Philippians
Special focus : Phil 1:3-11, 15-18; 2:1-13; 4:2-20
Mon 11/8 Colossians and Paul's Exalted Christology Soards, 138-49; 173-79
[Paper Precis is due] Brauch, 228-239
Correspondence: Colossians
Special focus: Col 1:9-23, 24-29; 2:6-10, 20-23; Col 3:1-17
Wed 11/10 Household Codes in Colossians and Ephesians Hand-out Brauch, 213-217
Special focus: Col 3:18-4:1; Ephes 5:21-6:9
Fri 11/12 Ephesians and Ecclesiology Soards, 150-55
Historical Background : Acts18:19-21; Acts 19:1-20, 23-40
Correspondence: Ephesians
Special focus : Eph 1-3
Mon 11/15 Ephesians, part 2 Brauch, 206-211
Special focus : Eph 4-6
Wed 11/17 Issues in Interpreting Pastoral Epistles Soards, 156-62
Correspondence: 1 Timothy
Fri 11/19 Role of Women in Pauline Churches Jewett, 45-58
Special focus : 1 Tim 2:11-15 Brauch, 252-65
No class on Monday, November 22 (Dr. Aune at the Society of Biblical Literature)
Mon 11/29 Pastoral Epistles, continued
Correspondences: 2 Timothy, Titus Brauch, 266-75
Wed 12/1 Conclusions and Review for Exam #2
Fri 12/3 Exam #2 (Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, Ephesians, Pastoral Epistles)
Mon 12/6 Writing conference (optional)
Wed 12/8 Writing conference (optional)
Fri 12/10 Final Paper due no later than 5PM