RELIGION 240
JESUS
AND THE
Dr.
Fall,
2007
Tuesdays/ Thursdays 2-3:15p.m.
Godwin 341
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND POLICIES
1] Course Description:
RELIGION 24O, JESUS AND THE MORAL LIFE is
described in the JMU Catalog as an introductory course that focuses on the ways
in which the moral teachings of Jesus of Nazareth informed personal ideals and
moral visions of society in the past and across differing cultures, and
continue to do so.
2] Course
Texts:
1] The New
2] REL 240 Coursepak
3] Benedict. Saint. The Rule of Benedict. Edited by David W. Cotter.
4] Lewis, C. S. The
Great Divorce.
5] Nolan, Albert. Jesus
Before Christianity. Revised Edition.
6] Pelikan, Jaroslav Jesus Through the Centuries. His Place in
the
7] Wright, N. T. The Contemporary Quest for Jesus.
8] Other
3]Course Goals:
1] This course is intended to expose students to various theoretical and disciplinary approaches to both ethical theory (individual and social) and the study of the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth. This course will examine specific pericopae from the Gospels that have served as foundational texts throughout Western (and Non-Western) Culture for specific interpretations or "portraits" of Jesus, portraits that have informed specific moral stances on personal ethics, war, non-violence, anti-Semitism, gender-relations, and issues of race. These will then be related to other historical "texts" (as literal texts, in addition to images, "portraits," fictional novels, art images, contemporary cinematographic images etc.) and the moral connections or implications drawn out.
2] Such historical and comparative study of
specific portraits or images of Jesus should provoke students to raise
questions of the moral values assumed or proposed in such portraits.
3] Encourage students do develop, through a
critical and comparative examination of specific case studies, the
ability not only to evaluate information, but also to express the same in oral
and in written form.
1] Be able to identify and define the
significant portraits (or images) of Jesus that have emerged in differing
historical and cultural contexts.
2] Thus, be able in addition to comprehend the
importance of specific cultural, political and religious contexts of each
portrait (or image) and be able to evaluate the effect of these upon specific
individuals and historical cultures.
3] To discern therefore the diverse manners in
which specific portraits (or images) of Jesus predispose followers to specific
ethical action in the world.
4] Be able to express such understanding clearly
and logically in written form. Such written expression must display both a
clearly formulated thesis statement, a logical progression in the argument, and
a well-rounded conclusion that refers back, or sums up, the position defended.
Such expression is to be executed with due care to the rules of syntax,
spelling, and stylistic conventions. If unsure of a stylistic detail, please
consult the latest edition of the Chicago Manual of Style.
5] Course Requirements:
1] There will be three required exams, namely, one
test, the midterm and the final exam. These exams will comprise one or more of
the following: short questions, identifications, paragraph length responses,
and one or more long essays. The test will count 10 percent, midterm will count
25 percent and the final, 30 percent of the total grade
2] One three to five page paper, which will take
the form of a book review of a specific text.. This paper will count 20 percent
of the total course grade. It will be typed, double-spaced, and handed in when
due.
3] Class participation requires not only active
interaction. In this course participation in class discussion is required as
well as in a group project presentation (see # 7 below). An outline, summary,
or series of questions, written and duplicated, is expected to accompany your
oral presentation/s. Th is project (the group presentation) involves preparing
a class presentation on a specific contemporary example of a portrait of Jesus
and its moral implications. The group project presentation comprises 15 percent
of your course grade.
4] Class attendance & participation are
deciding factors in borderline grade situations.Attendance is expected, and an
attendance roll will initially be taken, primarily so that the professor might
learn your names! You alone are responsible for attendance and for the making
up of any material, whether prescribed or presented in lecture (not necessarily
the same). If more than
four classes are missed without certified
documentation, the final class grade is reduced by one grade fraction (i.e.
from a "+" to a letter, or from a letter to a "-") per
class missed.
5] There is a FINAL exam.
6] The written work in this course is
graded according to the following criteria:
A This is for excellent work demonstrating
ability to integrate reason, content and coherent critique, with no or minimal
stylistic infelicities.
B: This letter grade is for good work that
demonstrates the ability to grasp, comprehend and synthesize the material, but
lacks the finished quality of an "a" paper.
C: This letter grade reflects the fact that the
work done was insufficient. Such work typically reveals a lack of competence in
the comprehension of the readings or lecture material, and most
critically, a failure to synthesize and to address the material critically.
Such work is often marred by grammatical and spelling errors. If an essay, it
displays either no or a very weak thesis.
D: This letter grade is awarded for work
that displays little evidence that the question was addressed adequately, that
the appropriate material was read, or evaluated, compared or critically
assessed. Displays stylistic weaknesses, often to a heightened degree, of a C
minus paper.
F: Please make an appointment to see me.
Grading by letter corresponds to the following
numerical values:
letter plus grades, from 7 above;
letter grade alone, from 3-6;
minus letter grades, 0-2.
Thus a B+ ranges from 87% to 89 %, a B from 83%
to 86%, a B- from 80% to 82 percent.
7] Grading for the Group Presentations:
One grade for the group presentation, following the scale noted above. Grade
will take into consideration the ability of the group to work together as
displayed through their presentation, the integration of content and theory,
application and oral/visual presentation.
All papers and written assignments are due at
the beginning of class on the assigned day, typed/word processed, stapled (no
paper clips), complete with a title page which includes the student's name,
course title, number, and section, honor pledge, and where necessary, an
acknowledgments page (for bibliography, citations, sources etc.).
No late assignments can be accepted in
fairness to others who have timeously prepared their work. A grade of
"F" is assigned to any written work not turned in on time, with the exception
of those assignments for which prior, alternative arrangements have been made
due to serious extenuating circumstances. Please keep copies of all submitted
assignments.
8] Responsible computer users realize that
computers are not always reliable (they can crash, they can scramble data, they
can refuse to work, they can host viruses: it can be difficult to find an open
terminal, and printer problems are legendary.) YOU must therefore ensure that
your papers are completed on time.
9] If you have a problem, crisis, bad hair day
etc., do inform me BEFORE a class deadline and I will do all that is legally
possible and within my powers to make alternative arrangements (make-ups etc.).
If such requests are not presented before a deadline, the grade for that
assignment will be a FAIL.
INCOMPLETES: These are only granted as the
result of application arising from positively critical medical emergencies, or
death in one’s immediate family. The onus is on the student to provide
supporting documentation for the granting of an "Incomplete." NO
APPLICATION FOR AN INCOMPLETE (or a makeup for any assignment) WILL BE
CONSIDERED WITHOUT OFFICIAL MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED BY THE APPLICANT.