REL 105 H Interpreting the Bible (HONORS)

Professor: Jason Borders, Ph.D. Office: Jackson Home 202; Office Hours: MW 9-11AM Email: jborders@hawks.huntingdon.edu Phone: 334-833-4221; Skype: jason.borders2 Twitter: @DrBorders (#beshushu) TextMe: 1 (415) 649-8536 (this isnt a phone #) MWF 8AM, 9:30 AM, & 11 AM; Flowers Hall 201 Fall 2013

Course Description: Lets not think of this as a class as much as a research group. Think of me not so much as an authority but a guide. Think of yourselves (and me) as members of an even larger body, the Honors Group @ Huntingdon. All of us (all three honors classes) will be working together on The Project (more below). We all are a large ThinkTank working on issues important to you, together. The very basic level of our research will be engaging the biblical text. The Bible is different from a newspaper or Shakespeare in the Christian community. Becoming familiar with particular claims that Christians make on these texts will aid our overall research together as we begin to investigate how society at large appropriates these texts. Many interpretations are possible within a Christian reading community, among those who refer to the Bible as Scripture. But, as you may have already encountered, not all interpretations are valid within and without that community of readers. This course introduces students to reading strategies within the Christian community used for the theological interpretation of the Old and New Testaments. But our research only begins here. We will be working on The Project. Important for the The Project is what you do with that beginning. Ive got some ideas, but you are in control of what comes next (cf. rel105honors.pbworks.com). Our research has two modest goals: to introduce you to the methods of 1) reading and 2) interpreting the Bible within the Christian community. A bit more bold, our research has two additional goals, namely, 1) to reach a conclusion on whether our surrounding culture uses the biblical text in its most dominant symbols of self expression, and 2) to decide whether these symbols are valid and/or useful appropriations of the biblical text, if found. Course Objectives: Upon completion of the course, students should be able to: 1. read and interpret brief sections of the Bible 2. distinguish between the various literary genres that make up the Bible and comprehend the significance of genre for critical reading 3. articulate their interpretations of biblical texts both orally and in writing 4. reflect on what strategies/interpretive methods are most effective for a) reading the Bible and b) reading in general 5. comprehend and recount the overarching vision of the biblical narrative in broad scope

Additional Honors Objectives: 1. participate in a collaborative research group were calling The Project 2. contribute to the design of The Project on the class wiki 3. reflect on the concept of knowledge as a social construction throughout this process Required Texts: The NRSV translation of the Bible (although, this is certainly not the only translation welcome in our research group). The bookstore stocks our recommended text, The New Interpreters Study Bible (NRSV), which contains many helpful notes and comments on biblical literature. However, the NRSV translation (without notes/comments) may be found in other Bibles as well. In addition, http://www.biblegateway.com allows users free access to the NRSV text online. Since it is web based, it may be accessed anywhere with an internet connection. Claiborne, Shane & Chris Haw, Jesus for President: Politics for Ordinary Radicals (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008). As one reviewer commented, I loved this book; I hated this book. Its an easy read; its a hard read. This text will push us to consider/reconsider the world around us (more later about why this may help us on the wiki). The book is not in our bookstore. It may be purchased through amazon.com, either digital or hard copy. Be careful about the digital version, however. Some portions of the text dont seem to be legible. Ctrl + click the image to the left to be taken to Amazon. Course Requirements: 1)Reading Journals (20%) The journal will help you reflect on the readings located in the schedule, below. These are intended to be reaction essays. That is, what you think, feel, question, whatever , is perfectly acceptable. Individual journals will be in the form of blogs that you create. Please create a free blog on either www.blogger.com or www.wordpress.com. After doing so, please send me the url of your blog (this is not the title of your blog; it is the web address that appears in the search bar at the top of your browser). Each journal will then be harnessed by my feed reader, and your entries will appear on my netvibes page (www.netvibes.com/jborders). Each student will journal on the days noted in the schedule below. There are 12 possible. You may skip 2. Grades for this assignment will be determined on a complete/incomplete basis . . . A for complete, F for incomplete. Journaling doesnt have to stop here, however. Use this space to be as creative as you like. This is your individual space to voice, visualize, compose (in whatever manner) what youre experiencing as you read, collaborate, encounter. Ask questions . . . ask lots of questions. The playing field is wide open. 2) Jesus for President Journaling (10%) Three entries are required (at least 20 sentences each), directly related to your reading Jesus for President, on the following dates: Oct 3, Oct 29, and Nov 26 (cf. Research Schedule below).

3)Two Content Exams, a midterm and final (30%; 15% apiece) During the semester, two exams will be given covering the course material to that point. Emphasis will be placed on the biblical material, but you will be responsible for secondary readings, class discussions, and the class wiki. In addition, a map will be part of these tests (maps will be given to you during the semester). Most questions will be multiple choice, but other options are possible. 4)The Project (40%) The Project may be graded as follows: a) a symbol choice entered by Sept. 5 with link to photo, video, audio, whatever, uploaded to your blog that represents your choice (5%), b) 1 paragraph contributed to the Choose It page in the research wiki, after the consensus on Sept 10 and due on Sept 26. The paragraph should explain why you think the consensus choice(s) should or shouldnt be considered the dominant symbol (5%); c) 3 contributions (1 initial contribution, 1 edit, 1 re-contribution), at least one paragraph each, to the Interpret It page in the research wiki, due on Oct 24. At this point, you will be working with the group to decide how you think society understands the symbol(s) youve chosen (15%); d) 3 contributions (1 initial contribution, 1 edit, 1 re-contribution), at least one paragraph each, to the Change It page in the research wiki, due Nov 21 (15%). Here, you will be able to work out what the group thinks should be societys dominant symbol(s), i.e., the symbol(s) you think represent the world you want to live in. Due dates for each portion of The Project are listed in the Research Schedule below, as well (an outline of The Project may be found on The Project page in rel105honors.pbworks.com). Bonus Incentives: (more about this on The Project Page of rel105honors.pbworks.com) 1. Video Chroniclers 2. Video Coordinators 3. Video Production Managers 4. Wiki Editorial Team Grading Scale: A = 90-100 B = 80-89 C = 70-79 D = 60-69 F = 0-59

Attendance Policy: Timely attendance is mandatory for all classes (College policy). Academic Honesty: Please see the Honor Code in the Student Handbook regarding academic honesty and dishonesty, including plagiarism, collaboration, and cheating. In short, be honest. Those found engaging in dishonest behavior on a particular

assignment will receive a zero for the assignment in question and may receive a failing grade for the course. All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Provost, and may also be referred to the College Judicial Board for further action. Accommodation of Special Needs: Faculty at Huntingdon College make every effort to accommodate unique and special needs of students with respect to speech, hearing, vision, seating, or other possible adaptations. Please notify the Disability Services Intake Coordinator, Ms. Camilla Irvin, as soon as possible for requested accommodations at (334)833-4577 or e-mail at disabilityservices@huntingdon.edu.