RELIGION 220: INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
SPRING 2015 (Academic Year 2014-2015)
Section 02 (M-W-F 9-9:50 a.m.)
Location: Bowman 307
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: ENG 110 (or equivalent)
("prerequisite" means already completed with a passing grade)
("equivalent" means the Registrar already has it on your transcript)
Upon logging onto Moodle you will see the link to REL 220
Instructor: Dr. William E. Abshire
Office: Bowman 219
Phone: 540-828-5346 (use this, not e-mail for fastest contact)
E-mail: wabshire@bridgewater.edu (use this only for
contact that can be delayed for a day or two)
Office Hours: as posted on Moodle and office door
(and by advance appointment)
COURSE TEXTS
REQUIRED:
Powell, Mark Allan. Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey. Grand
Rapids: Baker Academic, 2009. It is ISBN 978-0-8010-2868-7.
Coogan, Michael D. ed. The Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha, New Revised Standard Version,
College Edition, Fully Revised Fourth Edition. New York: Oxford, 2010. It is an authoritative English
translation by ecumenical scholars (representing the main branches of Judaism and Christianity). It is
ISBN 978-0-19-528959-6.
RECOMMENDED:
Throckmorton, Burton H. ed. Gospel Parallels: A Synopsis of the First Three Gospels with Alternative
Readings. 5th ed. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc. Publishers, 1992. ISBN is 978-0840774842. Copies
of Throckmorton also are on reserve in the library.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course is a general, but critical, introduction to the history, literature, and thought of the New Testament
and the early Christian church. It covers the period from circa 330 B.C.E. until circa 150 C.E.
COURSE GOALS:
At the conclusion of this course the student will have:
1. introductory knowledge sufficient to present key information (persons, dates, events, themes, methods of
study, etc.) central to examining the New Testament documents
2. specific and detailed knowledge of major 1) events, 2) dates, and 3) terms vital to understanding the
New Testament documents (in addition to your reading / preparation for class notes and class notes,
keeping descriptive sets of notes in each of these categories throughout the semester is a very useful
resource and strategy for study and learning)
3. the ability to participate, using knowledge of key information, in the procedure of critical academic study
of the New Testament (this participation is evaluated by class discussion, quizzes, tests, resource assignment and a final comprehensive examination)
COURSE GOALS / OBJECTIVES / CURRICULAR MARKERS:
Upon successful completion of this course, a student will be able to:
1. identify key places in the ancient Mediterranean world
2. identify key people and events in the New Testament
3. identify key theological and ethical concepts in the New Testament
4. identify the different portraits of Jesus and his significance in New Testament literature
5. identify and demonstrate an understanding of scholarly approaches to the New Testament
6. describe the social and historical contexts of emerging Christian communities
-2In this religion course, you will develop a critical understanding of the discipline of religious studies
due to this being a course in the intellectual history of religious thought. In this case, it is especially the first and
second centuries of western history. You will develop knowledge of human endeavors through broad
study of the arts and humanities. You will develop an understanding of self and others as shaped by
cultural influences and differences both past and present. You will develop the ability to integrate
knowledge and skills across disciplines.
You will develop a primary skill of critical reading and thinking, as the instructor models and explains
ways of critically analyzing arguments in the texts. The instructor will monitor your progress by essays, test
performance, and participation in discussion.
This course will develop your skill of written communication and will involve you in the comprehensive
process of writing in a variety of projects including essays, essays on tests, effective peer-review of one
another's work. The core skill of research and information literacy likewise is one you will develop though
classroom instruction on working with sources, and essays that accurately incorporate and synthesize sources
of research information.
BRIDGEWATER COLLEGE HONOR CODE:
"Ethics, honor, and integrity are the fundamental principles at the core of the Bridgewater
College experience. Our community can only flourish in an environment of trust and respect and
these notions of personal honor, integrity, and faith are the fundamentals of the Bridgewater Honor
System. The Code of Honor prohibits lying, cheating, and stealing and Bridgewater College’s
commitment to ethics, integrity, and values is embodied in the Code of Ethics. Violation of these
Codes demonstrates harm to the community and an all-student Honor Council administers regulation of this Honor System. It is the goal of Bridgewater College's Honor Council to assist in the
development of students’ ethical and moral principles." Bridgewater College Academic Catalog 20132014. Students should read the Bridgewater College Plagiarism Policy, adopted 23 August 2005. It
appears at http://bridgewater.edu/WritingCenter/BCplagiarism.htm
BRIDGWATER COLLEGE STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES:
The Academic Support Center, located in Bicknell House, promotes learning skills and
personal development through academic counseling, advising, tutoring services, disability
services, and a transition program for selected new student. Students who have registered 504
plans must schedule a time to meet with the instructor to discuss the necessary accommodations.
Bridgewater College is committed to providing all students equal access to the college’s academic
programs and activities. Students who have or think they may have a condition (attention,
learning, visual, hearing, physical, psychological or chronic medical) that impacts learning and for
which an accommodation may be desired, are encouraged to contact the Director of Academic
Support, Dr. Chip Studwell, 540, 828-5370 or cstudwel@bridgewater.edu. See:
http://www.bridgewater.edu/student-life/services/academic-support-center. The Academic
Support Office, each semester, must supply a letter for a student to have accommodations at
Bridgewater College.
BRIDGEWATER COLLEGE WRITING CENTER:
You may use the Bridgewater College Writing Center (BCWC) as a support for the writing
assignments of this course. The Writing Center is on the third floor of Bowman Hall. See
http://www.bridgewater.edu/student-life/services/writing-center.
-3COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Extensive Reading (over 100 pages weekly, on average). Class discussions and lectures will
not merely replicate the reading. You also must develop the skill of learning directly from
the reading. You must record notes from your reading and ask (and answer) questions from
it in class. These are your reading / preparation for class notes. You must use what you
read. During appointments, I will ask to see your reading / preparation for class notes.
2. Always Contact Me (in advance if possible) about your reason for missing any class session.
Otherwise, contact me (or have someone contact me for you) within twenty-four hours of
your absence. Absences always affect participation scores. Absences without good reason
affect participation scores more negatively. Absences without your contacting me (or having
someone contact me) within twenty-four hours, and giving me a good reason for the absence, affect participation scores most negatively. Remember that you should call, not email,
for any matter that concerns something in forty-eight hours or less.
3. Missing any Assignment Deadline and not contacting me (or having someone contact me)
in advance will result in a failure for that assignment. Any assignment turned in after a
deadline, for any reason, but with advance contact with me, will have points deducted.
4. I score Participation within the range of +1 to –1 added to your final average in the course
(that makes it 10% of the course score). Interactions with me in class and outside class (see 1,
2, and 3, above), and with your fellow students (especially in the pretest oral work), especially count as participation. See page four for more information. Being late to an appointment, missing an appointment, etc. also affect participation scoring.
5. As with all courses in the Department of Philosophy and Religion, assignments and tests
scores are on a ten-point scale with pluses and minuses. See the next page for the numerical scores corresponding to specific letter grades.
6. Online Quizzes for each chapter in Powell (at the website for Powell's textbook). The
average of these scores is worth 12% of the course score. You must email me a copy of each
quiz score before the deadline. See page four of this syllabus for the deadlines.
7. Pre-test Work. Well in advance of each deadline, you should prepare full and complete
answers to these questions (you see the questions on Moodle). See page five of this syllabus
for the deadlines. I will collect this work at random from seven of you on each deadline
date and you randomly will be chosen twice. The average of your scores on the pre-test
work will be 5% of the course score.
8. Threat of "spot" Quiz(zes). Worth 3%, deducted from test percentage.
9. Tests (three) with group and individual scoring of the multiple-choice portion. Tests have
full range of format (multiple choice, short answer, short essay, etc.). Each test is 21% (so, 3
X 21% = 63% of the course grade). Dates are underlined on page four of this syllabus. In
general, tests cannot be made up if you miss taking them on the date they are administered. In extreme and rare situations where the test is taken at another time, there can be no
group score.
10. A Final, Cumulative Exam (20% of course grade).
11. To be considered for a score of "I" (incomplete) in the course, you must have completed at
least 66% of the course requirements with a passing average in that work. You also must
submit a plan of completion for the course and have it approved by the Office of Academic
Affairs. Likewise, the Office of Academic Affairs sets the final exam date and time. I cannot
change it for individuals or for the class as a whole.
-4ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION:
Below-average spontaneous activity in asking questions and making comments (based on informed reading
notes), neglecting to have someone contact me on the day of any absence, being late to class, or being late
to (or missing) any appointments likely results in a negative participation score in the course. If several of
the problems just described apply, the likely score for participation in the course is sure to be "-1" points.
A participation score of average ("0" points) in the course requires average activity in questions and
comments (based on informed reading notes) during class activities. It requires perfect attendance, or no
more than one absence and contact with me about the good reason(s) for the absence within twenty-four
hours. Neglecting to inform me within that timeframe even once makes a “0” the highest possible
participation score. It requires that you keep and are on time for any appointments you make. Perfect
attendance but not often spontaneously asking questions or making comments in class will result in a
participation score not higher than average.
A positive participation score in the course requires spontaneous and above-average questions and
comments (based on informed reading notes) during all class activities. It requires perfect attendance, or
no more than one or two absences, with contact with me about the good reason(s) for the absence within
twenty-four hours. It requires arriving, and being on time for any appointments you make.
A high participation score (up to "1" point) in the course requires very active and relevant spontaneous
questions and comments (based on informed reading notes) during all class activities. It requires you to
have shown outstanding and thorough preparation for class, including initiative on your part and having
gone beyond merely what is required. It requires perfect attendance, or no more than one or two absences,
with contact with me about the good reason(s) for the absence within twenty-four hours. It requires
arriving, and being on time for any appointments you make.
DETAILS ON SCORING AND LETTER GRADES:
As with all courses in the Department of Philosophy and Religion, assignment and test scores are on a
ten-point scale with pluses and minuses. The system at Bridgewater College provides for the letter
grades of "A," "A-," "B+," "B," "B-," "C+," "C," "C-," "D+," "D," "D-," and "F" (note that the system at
Bridgewater College does not provide for "A+," "F+," or "F-"). Bridgewater College allows faculty to
set numerical equivalents for the letters as the faculty member sees fit. For all faculty in the Department
of Philosophy and Religion, the following numerical equivalents correspond to the letter grades.
93 or greater is an "A"
90, 91, or 92 is an "A-"
87, 88 or 89 is a "B+"
83, 84, 85 or 86 is a "B"
80, 81 or 82 is a "B-"
77, 78 or 79 is a "C+"
73, 74, 75 or 76 is a "C"
70, 71 or 72 is a "C-"
67, 68 or 69 is a "D+"
63, 64, 65 or 66 is a "D"
60, 61 or 62 is a "D-"
59 or lower is an "F"
-5OUTLINE OF THE COURSE AND READING ASSIGNMENTS
JANUARY
28 (W) Introduction to the course
30 (F) Introduction to the course (continued)
POWELL
OXFORD ANNOTATED BIBLE (or GOSPEL PARALLELS)
pp. 9-45
Ch. 1 Quiz Due
FEBRUARY
02 (M), 04 (W), 06 (F) Continued introduction to the
course and background
{06 (F) Pre-test Work One Due: The "synoptic
problem"}
pp. 47-101
Chs.2-4 Quizzes
Due
1 MACCABEES, Ch's. 1-3 (Alexander the Great's death, the Maccabees
rebel against Antiochus IV), Ch's. 8, 12 (Maccabee alliance with Rome). First
Maccabees begins on p. 1555 in your Bible. Also examine the general layout of
passages (columns) in Gospel Parallels in relation to the “synoptic problem”.
09 (M), 11 (W), 13 (F), 16 (M)
{16 (M) Pre-test Work Two Due: Why so many loose
ends in MK?}
pp. 125-145
Ch. 6 Quiz Due
Oxford Annotated Bible, "Introduction to the Gospels" beginning on p. 1743, and
MARK (all). The introduction to Mark, followed by Mark itself, begins on p.1791.
pp. 103-123
Ch. 5 Quiz Due
Gospel Parallels, fifth edition, pp. ix-xxvi, and MATTHEW, Ch's. 1-7 (beginning to
"sermon on the mount", 13 (parables in Matthew), 16 (controversy and Peter's confession),
18 (on humility and forgiveness), 23 (versus the Scribes and Pharisees) 26-28
("last supper," "crucifixion," "empty tomb," "post-resurrection appearances")
pp. 147-167
Ch. 7 Quiz Due
LUKE, Ch’s 1-4 (beginning), 6 (so-called "sermon on the plain"),
8-10 ("parables" and miracles"), 15-16 (Luke's "special section"), 22-24 ("last supper,"
"crucifixion," "empty tomb," "post-resurrection appearances")
16 (M) Test One Post-Test , 18 (W), 20 (F)
{20 (F) Pre-test Work Five Due: Why is JN so
different?}
pp. 169-189
Ch. 8 Quiz Due
JOHN (all)
23 (M), 25 (W), 27 (F)
{27 (F) Pre-test Work Six Due: Saul / Paul versus
Cephas / Peter?}
pp. 191-253 and
pp. 307-321
Chs. 9 & 15 Quizzes
Due
ACTS (all). GALATIANS 1-2 (comments by Paul on his early activity)
18 (W), 20 (F), 23 (M)
{23 (M) Pre-test Work Three Due: Is MT just new
laws?}
FEBRUARY-MARCH
25 (W), 27 (F), 02 (M)
{02 (M) Pre-test Work Four Due: Politically Correct
LK?}
04 (W) TEST ONE
06 (F): NO CLASS (Abshire away at a Conference)
09 (M)-13 (F): NO CLASSES (SPRING BREAK)
MARCH-APRIL
30 (M), 01 (W),
03 (F) and 06 (M) NO CLASSES: EASTER BREAK
08 (W), 10 (F)
{10 (F) Pre-test Work Seven Due: Meat to idols in
1 COR 8 and 10. When to eat and when not to eat}
pp. 273-291 and
pp. 255-271
Chs. 13 & 12 Quizzes
Due
CORINTHIANS (all). ROMANS (all).
pp. 323-341
Ch. 16 Quiz Due
EPHESIANS (all)
pp. 493-507
pp. 427-443
Chs. 27 & 23 Quizzes
Due
1 JOHN (all) HEBREWS (all)
pp. 519-537
Ch. 29 Quiz Due
REVELATION (all)
13 (M) TEST TWO
15 (W) Test Two Post-Test (first part), 17 (F), 20 (M)
{20 (M) Pre-test Work Eight Due: Ephesians is by
Paul?}
22 (W), 24 (F)
APRIL-MAY
27 (M), 29 (W)
{29 (W) Pre-test Work Nine Due: Since it is NOT about
ethical improvement, what is the point of Revelation?}
01 (F) TEST THREE
04 (M) Test Three Post-Test, and Questions from You about the Final Comprehensive Examination
The College's Final Exams are 7 May (Thurs.), 8 May (Fri.), 9 May (Sat.), 11 May (Mon.), and 12 May (Tues.)
THE FINAL, COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINTION IS SAT 9 MAY
at
8:00-10:00 AM
.
UNDER COLLEGE POLICY, I CANNOT GRANT ANY EXCEPTIONS TO THAT DATE AND TIME.