Introduction to Biblical Studies
Assignments for Introduction to Biblical Studies
In order to pass this course, a student must earn at least 80 points of a possible 100 by completing the following assignments:
Weekly Reading Conversations
Each week (other than the Midterm or Final weeks), post at least 6 substantive posts on the week's topic. You should address the content of one of the readings or other subject matter of the week. Substantive posts can be questions about a reading, comments on a reading, reactions to readings, exploring how multiple readings intersect, and replying to other students' posts. Posts which are simply "I agree" or "I don't understand this article" without any specific comment or question do not count (but you are free to post them).
6 points per week, a total of 36 possible points
Weekly Reading Quizzes
Each week (other than the Midterm or Final weeks), there will be a short quiz over the readings.
4 points per week, a total of 24 possible points
Midterm Group Project
Analyze 2 biblical passages, one from the Hebrew Bible the other from the New Testament, in a small group. You should be sure to cover:
- Translation and textual issues of the texts
- Literary Analysis of the text (genre, structure, etc.)
- The texts' settings in the wider ancient world (interactions with other biblical texts, non-biblical texts, archaeological connects, etc.)
- Length: ~500-750 words per passage.
- Due Date: End of week 5.
Final Individual Project
Analyze 1 biblical passage of your choice, much in the same way as the Midterm. In addition to the topics covered there, you should also cover:
- An analysis of how at least one early commentator (Christian or Jewish) interpreted the text.
- Length: ~1000-1500 words.
- Due Date: End of the final week.