{"id":1465,"date":"2018-01-08T12:15:10","date_gmt":"2018-01-08T17:15:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pages.charlotte.edu\/john-reeves\/?page_id=1465"},"modified":"2018-03-21T07:28:00","modified_gmt":"2018-03-21T11:28:00","slug":"course-syllabus","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pages.charlotte.edu\/john-reeves\/course-materials\/rels-1120-bible-and-its-interpreters-2\/course-syllabus\/","title":{"rendered":"Course Syllabus"},"content":{"rendered":"

RELS 1120
\nBible and Its Interpreters
\nW 3:30-6:15
\nDr. John C. Reeves
\n204B Macy<\/span> 21A Cedar (for 2017-18 only<\/em>)
\nOffice hours: WF by appointment (for 2017-18 only<\/em>)
\njcreeves@uncc.edu<\/a>
\nhttps:\/\/pages.charlotte.edu\/john-reeves\/<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Course description<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n

An exemplification of the multiple ways \u2018Bible\u2019 has been produced, read, and manipulated by biblically allied Near Eastern religious communities up to roughly the end of the first millennium of the Common Era.\u00a0 We will also isolate and discuss the conceptual suppositions which flaw almost all scholarly work published on this topic to date.\u00a0 Within this course special attention will be given to the diverse ways in which Qur\u2019\u0101n participates in a shared \u2018biblical\u2019 universe of discourse.<\/p>\n

Warning<\/u><\/em>: In this class you will hear or read ideas which may disturb, shock, dismay, or outrage you, and you will be compelled to think using methodological paradigms which you may deem troubling, wrong-headed, blasphemous, or even sacrilegious.\u00a0 If you think you might be uncomfortable in this situation, then this is definitely not the class for you<\/u>.\u00a0 On the other hand, if you think you can suspend your uncritical attachments to certain notions about scriptures, their meaning, and the circumstances surrounding their production, then you will undoubtedly learn a great deal about the historical and cultural matrices betwixt which Judaism, Christianity, and Islam arose and flourished.<\/p>\n

Texts<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n

Web links to Bibles and some of the texts we will read are available on the course website.\u00a0 Other texts will be distributed by the instructor either in class or electronically as needed.\u00a0 In addition, the following textbooks are required<\/strong> for this course:<\/p>\n

James L. Kugel, The Bible As It Was<\/em> (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1997).<\/p>\n

M. A. S. Abdel Haleem, The Qur\u2019an, A New Translation<\/em> (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004).<\/p>\n

Course requirements<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n

a. Readings<\/em>. The nature of this course entails a significant amount of close reading and reflection. Students are responsible for anticipating and completing the reading assignments (outlined below) in a timely manner.\u00a0 Every student is expected to read substantial portions of the Tanakh, the Qur\u2019\u0101n, and Kugel\u2019s collection of parascriptural sources in their entirety.<\/p>\n

b. Written e<\/em>xaminations<\/em>. Three (3) in-class written examinations to take place February 7, March 14, and April 11. These exams are subjective in format, comprehensive in content, and will draw equally upon assigned readings and class discussion for their content.\u00a0 The numerical average of these three exam grades will comprise 50% of the final course grade.<\/p>\n

c. Final take-home essay<\/em>. Instead of an in-class three-hour final examination, you will prepare a final essay wherein you will be expected to synthesize many of the major issues and themes discussed in class and in the required readings, as well as to demonstrate your knowledge of the specific source materials and facts which pertain to those issues and themes. Once its topic is assigned (on the final class meeting day), this essay will be delivered to the instructor before the date and time officially mandated for the final examination of this course by the UNC Charlotte administration.\u00a0 The final essay is worth 25% of the course grade.<\/p>\n

d. Individual involvement<\/em>. Almost perfect attendance (see below) is an essential requirement for this course. Each class meeting builds upon the knowledge gained during previous meetings.\u00a0 Moreover, in-class discussion and analysis comprise a significant portion of every class meeting.\u00a0 Preparation for every class often involves the completion of a series of assigned readings and\/or short written assignment(s).\u00a0 Students are expected to contribute in an informed manner<\/u>* to the public analysis and discussion of any assigned topic, and the instructor reserves the right to administer occasional unannounced \u2018pop-quizzes\u2019 should he deem the situation so warrants.\u00a0 The instructor\u2019s assessment of one\u2019s attendance, apparent class preparation, oral and written contributions, and performance on pop-quizzes will constitute 25% of the final course grade.<\/p>\n

e. Zakhor<\/em> (Remember!): Mastery of the assigned readings and diligent class attendance are necessary prerequisites for the successful completion of this course. Each student is responsible for all lectures, class discussions, assignments, and announcements, whether or not he\/she is present when they occur.<\/p>\n

*Note Prov 15:28: \u05dc\u05d1 \u05e6\u05d3\u05d9\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d4\u05d2\u05d4 \u05dc\u05e2\u05e0\u05d5\u05ea \u05d5\u05e4\u05d9 \u05e8\u05e9\u05e2\u05d9\u05dd \u05d9\u05d1\u05d9\u05e2 \u05e8\u05e2\u05d5\u05ea, which I\u2019m inclined to render as \u2018the mind of the devoted (student) contemplates before answering, whereas the mouth of the clueless spews forth worthless nonsense.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Miscellaneous information<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n

a. The grading scale used in this course is as follows:<\/p>\n

91-100 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 A \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 = \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 demonstrable mastery of material; can creatively synthesize<\/p>\n

81-90\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 B \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 = \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 some demonstrable proficiency in control of material & analysis<\/p>\n

71-80\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 C \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 = \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 satisfactory performance of assignments; little or no analysis<\/p>\n

61-70\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 D \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 = \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 inadequate and\/or faulty understanding of material<\/p>\n

0-60\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 F \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 = \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 unacceptable work<\/p>\n

b. One of the requirements of this course is to complete the work of the course on time. Sometimes there are legitimate reasons for late work\u2014an illness or other emergency. \u2018Emergency,\u2019 however, does not include your social involvements, travel plans, job schedule, disk and\/or printer failures, the state of your love life, your obligations to other courses, or general malaise over the state of the world.\u00a0 The world has been in a mess as long as anyone can remember, and most of the world\u2019s work is done by people whose lives are a mass of futility and discontent.\u00a0 If you haven\u2019t learned yet, you had better learn now to work under the conditions of the world as it is.\u00a0 Therefore:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1) All examinations will take place only upon their announced dates and times.\u00a0 In other words (and please note well!), there will be NO MAKEUP EXAMS scheduled.\u00a0 All missed exams, quizzes, unwritten reports, and neglected homework exercises will be averaged as a 0 in the computation of the course grade.\u00a0 There is no such thing as a \u2018make-up pop quiz.\u2019\u00a0 No exceptions will be considered or granted.<\/p>\n

2) All written exercises are due on the dates scheduled in the syllabus, or on the date announced by the instructor in class (usually, the following class meeting).\u00a0 \u2018Late\u2019 submissions of reports (not homework exercises\u2014see below) bear the following penalties: one day late\/one letter grade; two days late\/two letter grades; three or more days late\/F.\u00a0 Please note: these \u2018days\u2019 are calendar days, not class meeting days<\/u>.\u00a0 For accounting purposes, letter grades bear the following values: A=95; A-=92; B=85; C+=78; C=75; D=65; F=30.\u00a0 An untyped submission automatically receives the grade F, as do those typed papers which violate the required parameters or which the instructor deems physically unacceptable and\/or grammatically incomprehensible.<\/p>\n

3) Homework exercises (if required) are due on the date announced by the instructor in class.\u00a0 Since we will normally discuss these exercises together in class on that date, it would clearly be unfair to those who submitted their work on time for me to accept \u2018late\u2019 work from those privy to our in-class discussion.\u00a0 Hence I will not accept \u2018late\u2019 homework submissions; however, \u2018early\u2019 submissions are always welcome and will receive full credit.<\/p>\n

4) Attendance at class meetings will be monitored by the instructor.\u00a0 One or two absences are regrettable; three absences are the limit of tolerability.\u00a0 Four (4) or more absences earns an automatic F for the course<\/u>.\u00a0 Please note that\u2014with the exception of religious holidays\u2014the instructor does not distinguish \u2018excused\u2019 from \u2018unexcused\u2019 absences.\u00a0 Unsanctioned late arrivals and early departures will be tallied as absences.<\/p>\n

5) Policy regarding Audits<\/u>: the instructor expects auditors (whether formally enrolled as such or not) to meet the same attendance, preparation, and oral participation standards as those students who are taking the course for credit.\u00a0 The instructor does not expect auditors to prepare and submit any written assignments.<\/p>\n

c. Assistance and solicitation of criticism is your right as a member of the class. It is not a privilege to be granted or withheld. Do not hesitate to request it nor wait too late in the course for it to be of help.<\/p>\n

<\/h1>\n

Rough Course Outline<\/em><\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. What is \u2018Bible\u2019?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    a. Versions, canons, etc.<\/p>\n

    b. Manuscript issues \u2013 book culture in antiquity<\/p>\n

    Required:\u00a0<\/strong>Kugel, 1-49<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. What are \u2018interpreters\u2019?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Definitions of terms and types of literature<\/p>\n

      Required:\u00a0<\/strong>Kugel, 567-616;\u00a0Abdel Haleem, ix-xxxvi.<\/span><\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Revisioning the dichotomy between \u2018text\u2019 (\u2018Bible\u2019) and \u2018interpretation\u2019<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Required:\u00a0Kugel, 1-49 (again); <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

        James E. Bowley and John C. Reeves, \u201cRethinking the Concept of \u2018Bible\u2019: Some Theses and Proposals,\u201d Henoch<\/em> 25 (2003): 3-18.<\/p>\n

        John C. Reeves, \u201cProblematizing the Bible \u2026 Then and Now,\u201d Jewish Quarterly Review<\/em> 100 (2010): 139-52.<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. \u2018Interpretation\u2019 exemplified<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          We will follow the order of sections as presented in Kugel (starting with p. 51) and couple his parascriptural citations with relevant passages from Qur\u2019\u0101n and other pertinent sources.\u00a0 With regard to the former (= Q), note especially the following handy breakdown:<\/p>\n

          a. Creation of universe: 7:54; 10:3; 11:7; 21:30-33; 25:58-59; 32:4; 50:38; 57:4; cf. 41:9-12<\/p>\n

          b. The first human couple: Q 2:30-39; 7:11-18; 15:26-43; 17:61-65; 18:50-51; 20:115-26; 38:67-88<\/p>\n

          c. Their children: Q 5:27-32<\/p>\n

          d. Noah (43x): Q 71:1-28; cf. 7:59-64; 10:71-73; 11:25-49; 21:76-77; 23:23-30; 26:105-22; 29:14-15; 37:75-82; 54:9-17<\/p>\n

          e. Destruction of a tower (?): Q 7:65-72; 11:50-60; 26:123-40; 41:15-16; 46:21-25; 51:41-42; 53:50-52; 54:18-21; 69:6-8<\/p>\n

          f. Abraham (69x): cf. Q 2:135; 3:67; 4:125; 9:114; 11:75; 19:41; 53:37<\/p>\n

          i. founder of true religion \u2013 Q 2:130-40; 3:65-68; 16:120-24<\/p>\n

          ii. recipient of scriptures \u2013 Q 53:36-37; 87:18-19<\/p>\n

          iii. smashing the idols \u2013 Q 6:74-84; 19:41-50; 21:51-73; 26:69-86; 29:16-27; 37:83-98; 43:26-27; 60:4<\/p>\n

          iv. move to new land \u2013 Q 21:71-73<\/p>\n

          v. testing Abraham \u2013 Q 2:124; 2:260<\/p>\n

          vi. annunciation of Isaac \u2013 Q 11:69-74; 15:51-56; 51:24-30<\/p>\n

          vii. attempted sacrifice of son \u2013 Q 37:99-111<\/p>\n

          viii. establishing sanctuary \u2013 Q 14:35-41; 22:26-27; 3:96-97; 2:125-29<\/p>\n

          g. Lot (27x): Q 11:69-83; 15:57-77; 29:31-35; cf. 7:80-84; 26:160-74; 27:54-58; 37:133-38; 54:33-37<\/p>\n

          h. Joseph (appears in 3 s\u016bras<\/em>): Q 12:1-111; cf. 6:84; 40:34<\/p>\n

          i. Moses (137x):<\/p>\n

          i. birth of Moses \u2013 Q 7:137; 26:57-59; 28:1-13; cf. 20:38-41<\/p>\n

          ii. Moses in Midian \u2013 Q 28:14-28<\/p>\n

          iii. initial revelations \u2013 Q 20:9-24; 27:7-12; 28:29-35; 79:15-19<\/p>\n

          iv. Moses and Pharaoh \u2013 Q 7:103-26; 10:75-83; 17:101-103; 20:49-69; 26:10-51; 79:20-26<\/p>\n

          v. magical contest \u2013 Q 40:23-46<\/p>\n

          vi. Pharaoh as god \u2013 Q 28:36-42; 10:88; 79:24<\/p>\n

          vii. plagues \u2013 Q 7:127-36<\/p>\n

          viii. exodus from Egypt \u2013 Q 26:52-68; 44:17-33<\/p>\n

          ix. punishment of Pharaoh \u2013 Q 10:90-92; 11:96-99; 43:46-56<\/p>\n

          x. wilderness wanderings \u2013 Q 2:47-61 and par.<\/p>\n

          xi. Sinai \u2013 Q 7:142-47 and par.<\/p>\n

          xii. golden calf \u2013 Q 7:148-58; 20:80-98<\/p>\n

          xiii. water from rock \u2013 Q 7:160<\/p>\n

          xiv. refusal to enter Land \u2013 Q 5:20-26<\/p>\n

           <\/p>\n

          Supplemental Bibliography for RELS 1120<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n

          In response to student requests for recommendations regarding useful and enlightening discussions of certain topics, themes, and personalities that are presented in class and\/or readings, I offer the following suggestions for further study at the student\u2019s leisure.\u00a0 I confine myself to materials which I myself have used with profit and<\/u> which are currently available at Atkins Library.<\/p>\n

          It is often helpful for the student to begin with appropriate articles in the standard Bible dictionaries.\u00a0 The latest and best are Katherine Doob Sakenfeld, ed., The New Interpreter\u2019s Dictionary of the Bible<\/em> (5 vols.; Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2006-2009) and\u00a0 The Anchor Bible Dictionary<\/em> (6 vols.; New York: Doubleday, 1992).\u00a0 Still reliable are The Interpreters\u2019 Dictionary of the Bible<\/em> (4 vols.) and its Supplementary Volume<\/em> (ed. George A. Buttrick; Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1962 & 1976), and the Harper\u2019s Bible Dictionary<\/em> (ed. Paul J. Achtemeier; San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985).\u00a0 Highly recommended are the relevant articles in the Encyclopaedia Judaica<\/em> (2d ed.; 22 vols.; ed. Michael Berenbaum and Fred Skolnik; Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2007) and the Encyclopaedia of Islam<\/em> (new ed.; 12 vols.; Leiden: Brill, 1960-2002).\u00a0 Note too the Encyclopedia of the Dead Sea Scrolls<\/em> (2 vols.; ed. Lawrence H. Schiffman and James C. VanderKam; Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000); Encyclopaedia of the Qur\u2019\u0101n<\/em> (6 vols.; ed. Jane Dammen McAuliffe; Leiden: Brill, 2001-06) and The Qur\u2019\u0101n: An Encyclopedia<\/em> (ed. Oliver Leaman; London and New York: Routledge, 2006).<\/p>\n

          The bibliographies supplied by articles consulted in the above reference works as well as in the volumes by Kugel and Abdel Haleem should suffice for deeper study.\u00a0 Of well nigh unparalleled importance for the history of traditional scriptural interpretation are the notes volumes for Louis Ginzberg, The Legends of the Jews<\/em> (7 vols.; Philadelphia: The Jewish Publication Society, 1909-38).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          RELS 1120 Bible and Its Interpreters W 3:30-6:15 Dr. John C. Reeves 204B Macy 21A Cedar (for 2017-18 only) Office hours: WF by appointment (for 2017-18 only) jcreeves@uncc.edu https:\/\/pages.charlotte.edu\/john-reeves\/   Course description An exemplification of the multiple ways \u2018Bible\u2019 has been produced, read, and manipulated by biblically allied Near Eastern religious communities up to roughly […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":454,"featured_media":0,"parent":798,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1465","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P3kl1F-nD","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.charlotte.edu\/john-reeves\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1465","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.charlotte.edu\/john-reeves\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.charlotte.edu\/john-reeves\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.charlotte.edu\/john-reeves\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/454"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.charlotte.edu\/john-reeves\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1465"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/pages.charlotte.edu\/john-reeves\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1465\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1503,"href":"https:\/\/pages.charlotte.edu\/john-reeves\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1465\/revisions\/1503"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.charlotte.edu\/john-reeves\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/798"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.charlotte.edu\/john-reeves\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1465"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}