SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES
AND THE ARTS
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
Spring
2008
THE
BIBLE AS LITERATURE, ENGL 115 M/W
3:00-4:15; SH 238
Dr.
Mary Warner Office:
FO 127
Department
of English and Comparative Literature Office:
Ph: 924-4417
Office
Hrs.: M: 9:00-11:00, 4:30-5:30; T: 9:00-11:00; Th: 3:30-6:00
email:
mwarner@email.sjsu.edu
Web
Page: http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/mary.warner
Library Liaison: Toby Matoush; Email: Toby.Matoush@sjsu.edu; Phone: 408-808-2096
REQUIRED
TEXTS: The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha, Revised Standard
Version, 3rd edition.
Coogan, Michael D., ed; Brettler, Marc Z., Carol A. Newsom, and Pheme
Perkins, assoc. eds. New York:
Oxford University Press, 2001.
The
Bible and Its Influence, Cullen Schippe and Chuck Stetson, general editors, New
York & Fairfax, VA: The Bible Literacy Project Publishing, 2006.
COURSE
DESCRIPTION: Study of the Bible from the perspective of literature. In ENGL 115, The Bible as Literature,
students will examine key portions of the Bible, exploring its array of
subjects, themes, literary styles and genres, and contributions to the
literature of Western Civilization. (3 credits)
PREREQUISITES:
As this is an upper division course, it is expected that you have already taken
general education requirements such as ENGL 1A and 1B, and that you have
already developed upper division skills as well as high standards for your
written work. In English
department courses, your instructors comment not only on the content of your
written work, but also on the quality of work being displayed. All student writing should contain
clear focus, correct grammar and punctuation, appropriate diction and syntax,
and well-organized paragraphs.
(See the English Department Paper Evaluation Guide later in the
syllabus.)
COURSE
OBJECTIVES: Students
will learn to
1.
read, discuss, and understand the Bible from a non-sectarian literary
perspective
2.
identify, analyze, and interpret the literary devices used
3.
identify, analyze, and interpret major themes in specific books of the Bible
4. recognize the Bible's rich contribution to
other major literary works and integrate this knowledge with that for other
course work in the humanities
5.
produce thoughtful written work demonstrating the abilities learned in 1-4
above
Student Learning Goals:
Department of English &
Comparative Literature
I. Skills
� Ability to read texts closely and to
articulate the value of close reading in the study of literature and rhetoric
� Ability to explicate texts written in a
wide variety of forms, styles, structures, and modes
� Ability to recognize and appreciate the
importance of major literary genres, subgenres, and periods
� Ability to respond imaginatively to the
content and style of texts
� Ability to write clearly, effectively,
and imaginatively, and to adjust writing style appropriately to the content and
nature of the subject
� Ability to develop and
carry out research projects and to articulate them within appropriate
conceptual and methodological frameworks, including the ability to recognize
when information is needed, and to locate, evaluate, organize, and incorporate
information effectively
� Ability to analyze texts
other than literary or rhetorical: for example, political, journalistic, commercial, technical,
etc.
� Ability to read and speak a language
other than English
� Understanding of the
historical development of the English language and of literature written in
English from Old English to the present
� Understanding of the relations between
culture, history and texts, including ideological and political aspects of
representation, economic processes of textual production, dissemination and
reception, and cross-fertilization of textual representations by those of other
arts: architecture, sculpture,
music, film, painting, dance, and theatre
� Understanding of the
twofold nature of textual analysis:
1) objective study from varied analytical perspectives; 2) subjective
experience of the aesthetic reality of the text
� Familiarity with a wide range of
British and American literary works, as well as with selected authors and works
of other literatures, including folk and popular forms
� Familiarity with a wide
range of literary terms and categories relating to literary history, theory,
and criticism, including figurative language and prosody
�
Familiarity with the
nature of the canon and of canon-formation, including issues of culture,
history, race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation
� Familiarity with basic practices of
literary research and documentation, including electronic forms of information
retrieval and communication
� Face-to-face exchange of
ideas with faculty and fellow students in the classroom, in office visits, and
in shared activities on and off campus
� Cooperative projects with other
students in discussion groups, writing activities, and study sessions
� Cultural resources of the University:
interest groups, public lectures, readings by creative writers, theatrical
productions, music and dance performances
� Involvement in the life of the
University, connection with its physical environs, participation in a dynamic,
rich, diverse intellectual community
� Achievement of independently-conceived
research projects, including the stating of a problem or issue and all steps
involved in organizing, synthesizing, summarizing, and analyzing information in
order to communicate conclusions
� An enduring interest in language and
literature
� A sense of the presence of the literary
and rhetorical past
� Greater awareness of the
depth and complexity of human existence, perceived across the boundaries of
time, place, culture, race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation
� Long-term interest and involvement in
aesthetic, cultural, and intellectual matters as well as in social and
political issues
� Understanding of the ability of great
literature and of concentrated language study to awaken and challenge readers
and auditors to struggle with profound questions of human identity and values
� A personal critical
perspective, and a sense of intellectual independence and momentum
ENGL
115 specifically addresses the following Student Learning Outcomes
� Ability
to read texts closely and to articulate the value of close reading in the
study
of literature and rhetoric
� Ability
to explicate texts written in a wide variety of forms, styles, structures,
and
modes
� Ability to write clearly, effectively,
and imaginatively, and to adjust writing style
appropriately
to the content and nature of the subject
�
Understanding of the twofold nature of textual analysis: 1) objective study from varied
analytical
perspectives; 2) subjective experience of the aesthetic reality of the text
�
Face-to-face exchange of ideas with faculty and fellow students in the
classroom, in office
visits,
and in shared activities on and off campus
� An enduring interest in language and literature
� Greater
awareness of the depth and complexity of human existence, perceived across the
boundaries
of time, place, culture, race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation
The specific ways these SLOs are assessed are through
1.
The Literary Analysis
paper requirement that asks students to demonstrate their ability to read texts
closely, explicate texts in a variety of forms, write clearly, effectively, and
imaginatively, and to understand the twofold nature of textual analysis
2. The Key Quotes and SSW are ways for students to
demonstrate the ability to do close reading and explicate texts
3. The Bible as a literary work of such magnitude
provides the context for greater awareness of the depth and complexity of human
existence across boundaries of time, place, culture, race, ethnicity, and
gender; further it is a text that fosters an enduring interest in language and
literature
4. Class discussions and oral presentations provide the
context for face-to-face exchange of ideas with faculty and fellow students in
the classroom.
COURSE
REQUIREMENTS/EVALUATION:
l. Thorough and engaged reading of all assigned
texts. The course's fundamental purpose is to increase students' familiarity
with the literary aspects of the Bible, comprehensively, not as isolated
quotations, and to this end, students must do consistent and careful
reading. l0% of the overall
grade for the course is determined by participation and discussion, neither of which can
be done well without doing the necessary reading. One �concrete� measurement of participation will be the Key
Quotes due at the beginning of each class session.
2. Three essays of 3-5 pages--two of the essays will
come from topics connected to the study of the Old Testament, specifically the
Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy); the Nebiim (the
Prophets)--selections from the Former Prophets: Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel,
1 and 2 Kings; and the Latter Prophets: Amos, Hosea, Habakkuk, Jonah, Isaiah,
Jeremiah, and Ezekiel; and the Ketubim (the Writings)--including selections from
Psalms and Proverbs, the book of Job, the Song of Songs and Ecclesiastes). The third essay will be based on topics
from New Testament or the Christian Foundational Writings--the Gospel According
to Mark, the Gospel According to John (selections), the Acts of the Apostles,
selections from Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, and Galatians; and
Revelation. Each essay is worth
the following percentage of the overall course grade. For one of the three essays, you may examine specific
biblical texts and their relationship to your field of study.
Essay
One--10%
Essay Two--15%
Essay Three--15%
3. You will give an oral presentation of one of
your three papers--you will be able to select that paper on which you'd like to
report. Oral presentations should
be 7-10 min. and should offer your insights and research findings. Oral presentations will earn 10% of
your overall grade.
4.
A mid-term examination that will account for 10% of the course grade.
5. Sustained Silent Writing (SSW)—each
week we will do 20 minutes of SSW—your writing might provide the basis
for one of your papers, response to readings or to ideas raised in class
discussion. Please keep a folder
with the writing done in each of the SSW times and plan to submit it every
other week for review. This
writing helps meet the requirement for upper level literature courses of 5000
words of writing. The writing is
done in-class only. The SSW
requirement is
15% of the course grade.
May 16, 12:15-2:30.
GRADING:
The
above requirements total 100%; I will be assigning a percent for each and
averaging the scores. The letter
equivalent is as follows and allows for plus/minus grading:
The
Department of English reaffirms its commitment to the differential grading
scale as defined in the official SJSU Catalog (�The Grading System�). Grades issued must represent a full
range of performance: A=Excellent; B=Above Average; C=Average; D=Below Average;
F=Failure
Paper Evaluation Guide
(Developed by the English Department)
In
English Department courses, instructors will comment on and grade the quality
of student writing as well as the quality of ideas being conveyed. Student writing should exhibit correct
grammar/punctuation and organized paragraphs.
The
�A� essay will
The
�B� essay will
The
�D� essay will
The
�F� essay will
PARTICIPATION
POLICY:
According to University policy F69-24, �Students should attend all meetings of
their classes, not only because they are responsible for material discussed
therein, but because active participation is frequently essential to insure
maximum benefit for all members of the class.� Because this course is predominantly
discussion and lecture based, attendance and participation are essential. The best education is more
student-centered than teacher-directed, and to receive the best education, each
student must be willing to make a significant contribution to the learning that
happens. Remember that 10% of the overall grade in
the course is determined by participation and discussion.
ACADEMIC
INTEGRITY POLICY:
The University emphasizes responsible citizenship and an understanding of
ethical choices inherent in human development. Academic honesty and fairness foster ethical standards for
all those who depend upon the integrity of the university, its courses, and its
degrees. This policy sets
standards for such integrity. The
public is defrauded if faculty and/or students knowingly or unwittingly allow
dishonest acts to be rewarded academically and the university�s degrees are
compromised.
Plagiarism: At SJSU plagiarism is
the act of representing the work of another as one�s own without giving
appropriate credit, regardless of how that work was obtained, and submitting it
to fulfill academic requirements.
Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to
and/or
the specific substance of another�s work, without giving appropriate credit,
and/or
representing the product as one�s own work;
computer
programs, photographs, paintings, drawing, sculptures, or similar works
as one�s own.
(Adapted
from the SJSU Academic Senate Policy, S04-12; please check this web site for
the full policy:
http://www.sa.sjsu.edu/judicial_affairs/index.html)
According
to the SJSU policy, the minimum penalty for plagiarism is failure of the assignment/paper/exam. It is your responsibility to become
informed about the Academic Integrity Policy. I am more than happy to help you learn, but if you do not do
your own work, that goal cannot be accomplished. Please see me if you have any
questions about documentation.
"If you need course
adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need special
arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment
with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential
Directive 97-03 requires that students with disabilities register with the DRC
to establish a record of their disability."
COURSE
CALENDAR: (Subject to change to better address your needs and to accommodate
any outside presenters)
W., Jan. 23 Introduction to the course, the syllabus;
Protocols for study of the Bible from a literary perspective; Introductory
writing activity; Presentation of key terms and background
ASSIGNMENT: Introduction; Genesis 1-13-- and
bring 2 Key Quotes to class; The Bible and Its Influence (B&IF) Chapters 1 and 2
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M.,
Jan. 28
Voices in the
Text/Creation Stories/the "Silent Spots"--Begin discussing Genesis
1-13 and material from
Chapters 1& 2 B&IF, SSW
ASSIGNMENT: Genesis 15-23, Chapters 3&4 B&IF, and bring 2 Key Quotes
to class
W.,
Jan. 30 Video from the Genesis
series
******************************************************************************M.,
Feb. 4 Voices
in the Text/Creation Stories/the "Silent Spots"—discussion of
Genesis
15-23, SSW
ASSIGNMENT: Genesis 24-35 and 2 Key Quotes for
class; View a video from the Genesis series before Feb. 11; Reports on Genesis videos: �Temptation,�
�First Murder,� �Apocalypse�
*** First SSW check—folders due Feb. 6
***
W.,
Feb. 6 Cont.
discussion of Genesis 24-35, Reports on Genesis videos
ASSIGNMENT: Genesis
37-50 and 2 Key Quotes for class; Reports on
remaining Genesis videos
******************************************************************************M.,
Feb. 11 Oral Presentation
of Genesis videos by Panels; Finish discussion of Genesis;
ASSIGNMENT:
Exodus--Chapters 1-20—Key Quotes; Chapter 7 B&IF
*** First SSW check—folders due Feb. 13
***
W.,
Feb. 13 Begin discussion of
Exodus; SSW
ASSIGNMENT:
Exodus 20-35, 40—Key Quotes
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M.,
Feb. 18 Essay Topics and
in class work for Essay One due Feb. 27 or Mar. 3; Cont.
discussion of Exodus:
the Meeting on Sinai; the Theme of Memory
ASSIGNMENT: Leviticus 1, 4, 7, 10, 12—Key
Quotes
*** Second SSW check—folders due Feb.
20 ***
W.,
Feb. 20 the Slave mentality,
Offerings, the Law and Service to God; SSW
ASSIGNMENT: Leviticus
19-26; Numbers 6, 8, 11, 12-17; Chapter 8 B&IF;
Essay One due Feb. 27
or Mar. 3
M.,
Feb. 25 Discussion of the
Books of Leviticus and Numbers
ASSIGNMENT: Numbers 20-27 – Key Quotes and
Reading Logs; Essay One due Feb. 27 or Mar. 3
***Second SSW check—folders due Feb.
27***
W.,
Feb. 27 Cont. with Numbers
Essay 1 (for those with Mar.
3 due
date)
M.,
Mar. 3 Deuteronomy
and "the Threefold If;" SSW
ASSIGNMENT: Deuteronomy
19-34 – Key Quotes;
***Third SSW check—folders due Mar.
10***
W.,
Mar. 6 Oral Presentations of
Papers; Completion of Deuteronomy;
ASSIGNMENT: Joshua 1-13 -- Key Quotes; ***Third
SSW check—folders due Mar. 10 or Mar. 12***
M.,
Mar. 10 the Taking of the
Land—Joshua 1-13;
ASSIGNMENT:
Joshua 20-24; Judges 1-6, 8, 11-- Key Quotes and Reading
***Third SSW check—folders due Mar.
12***
W.,
Mar. 12 Finish Joshua; Songs--the
Song of Deborah; Jephthah's daughter; Samson; SSW
******************************************************************************
M.,
Mar. 17 The History Books: I
Samuel/"Absalom, Absalom"; Paper topics for Essay 2—
due for All on April 2
ASSIGNMENT:
Prepare for Mid-term;
ASSIGNMENT: 2 Samuel 1-24; Kings 1-4, 8,
10-13—Key Quotes; Essay 2; Chapters 10 & 11 B&IF
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W.,
April 2 2 Samuel and
begin I Kings; SSW
ASSIGNMENT: 1 Kings 17-19, 22; 2 Kings 1-5,
23-25--Key Quotes
******************************************************************************
M., April 7 Oral Presentations of
Paper 2; Finish Kings;
ASSIGNMENT: Amos, Hosea,
Habakkuk, Jonah-- Key Quotes; Chapter 12 & 13 B&IF
*** Fourth SSW
check—folders due April 9***
W., April 9 "The Prophetic Conventions; Amos,
Hosea, Habakkuk, Jonah
ASSIGNMENT:
Isaiah 1-10, 40-66-- Key Quotes
******************************************************************************
W., April 16 Jeremiah and Ezekiel; Possibly start Wisdom
Literature—Psalms & Proverbs, Song of Songs & Ecclesiastes;
ASSIGNMENT: Proverbs 1-8
and Psalms 1-10, 19, 23,42, 51, 89, 90, 120-130,
139, 150; Song of
Songs-- Key Quotes; Chapters 14-16 B&IF
******************************************************************************
M.,
April 21 The Wisdom Literature; SSW
ASSIGNMENT: The Book of
Job—Key Quotes
W.,
April 23 The Book of Job video lecture
by Dr. Ralph Williams, the University of
Michigan
ASSIGNMENT: Specific Chapter of the Gospel of
Mark for Oral Reading; Chapter 23 & 24 B&IF
******************************************************************************
M.,
April 28 The Drama--The Gospel
According to Mark;
ASSIGNMENT: selections from the Gospel According
to John--Ch. 1 and 13-21—Key Quotes; Chapter 27 B&IF
*** Fifth SSW check—folders due April 30***
W.,
April 30 The Poetic Gospel; Topics for
Paper 3; SSW
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M.,
May 5 Finish Acts
of the Apostles; The Ancient Form of the Letter
ASSIGNMENT: Romans 1-11; I Corinthians 1-5, 7,
11-13, 15; Galatians 4—Key Quotes; Chapters 31, 32 B&IF; Paper 3 due May 7 or
12
W.,
May 7 Finish The
Letters; The Book of Revelation, SSW
ASSIGNMENT: Chapters
37-39 B&IF;
SSW folders for Final Check
******************************************************************************
Friday,
May 16 FINAL
EXAM—12:15-2:30
******************************************************************************