Chabot College
Fall 2002
Removed Fall 2010
Course Outline for English 47
THE BIBLE AS LITERATURE
Catalog Description:
47 - The Bible As Literature
3 units
Literature of the Old and New Testaments, their styles, genres, background, authors, events, and
language. Strongly recommended: Eligibility for English 1A. 3 hours.
[Typical contact hours: 52.5]
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
1. demonstrate familiarity with the Bible as a literary document;
2. identify and demonstrate appreciation of the Bible's literary styles and genres;
3. identify and discriminate between subjective and objective thinking relative to the Bible without
mistaking either one for the other;
4. demonstrate comprehension of something of what it was to be a part of a proud, ancient Eastern
culture and of how its writings have influenced the Western World since;
5. demonstrate understanding of how much multiple redaction and translation, as well as time, have
distanced us from the connotations and intents of the original authors.
Course Content:
1. Studies of representative authors from the Law, the Prophets, and the writings of the Old Testament;
and from the gospels and the letters of Paul in the New Testament
2. History of Israel as expressed in both Hebrew and Christian scripture (according to current
scholarship), and its relevance today
3. Theology of ancient Israel and early Christianity
4. Variety of literary styles and genres in scripture
5. Literary qualities of selected works of scripture
6. Relevance of these writers' concerns today
7. Difficulties presented by redaction and translation
8. Lives and customs of ordinary people in Israel ca. 1200 b.c.e. -100 c.e.
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
4
5.
6.
Set readings from a recent and widely authorized translation of the Old and New Testaments
Lectures on pertinent literary and historical matters
Discussion
Small group collaborative learning
Instructor conferences (minimum of 3 required)
Written exercises
Typical Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Typical Assignments
a. Write a one page summary of five chapters from one of the books we have read
b. Write a five to seven page essay comparing justice and mercy as presented in the Old and New
Chabot College
Course Outline for English 47
Page 2
Fall 2002
Testaments
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a. Quizzes on assigned readings and lectures
b. Mid-term examination(s) and the final examination
c. Activity participation
Textbook(s) (Typical):
Oxford Annotated Bible, Oxford Press, 1998
Special Student Materials:
None
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