Course Description & Goals:
In this upper-division course we will study the content of the Four Gospels of the New Testament, as well as their literary, historical, social, and theological contexts. We will read each Gospel individually, and then carefully compare and contrast their portraits of Jesus, their messages for ancient Christians, and their relevance for modern readers. We will also consider what can really be known about Jesus of Nazareth, in contrast to later legends and beliefs. More specifically, the course has the following goals and objectives:

1. To become familiar with the basic structure, themes, message, and terminology of each Gospel:
• we will read each of the four canonical Gospels separately, focusing on the texts themselves
• we will investigate the similarities and differences between selected passages from the Gospels
• we will supplement our own understanding through regular reading of the course textbooks
2. To understand the nature and purpose of the Gospels -- what they are, and what they are not:
• we will carefully define "Gospel" and related terms and genres of ancient Christian literature
• we will consider some similarities and differences between ancient and modern literary forms
• we will explore the original intentions and the ongoing relevance of the Evangelists' messages
3. To study the Gospels critically in light of their social, historical, literary, and religious contexts:
• we will learn some relevant highlights of Judeo-Christian history and Greco-Roman culture
• we will read a variety of other ancient Christian and non-Christian texts related to the Gospels
4. To consider what can be known with various degrees and types of certainty about Jesus of Nazareth:
• we will learn about the methods and criteria used by scholars in searching for the "Historical Jesus"
• we will compare the differing roles of scientific inquiry, religious doctrine, and personal belief
5. To improve our academic skills, including critical reading, research, writing, and presentation skills:
• we will attempt not only to find answers, but to question presuppositions and raise new questions
• we will share our insights with others in written assignments, oral discussions, and presentations
6. To learn about and to practice doing theology as an essentially inter-disciplinary enterprise:
• we will incorporate some insights from the fields of history, literature, language, philosophy, sociology, art, natural sciences, mathematics, etc., as well as using the methods of theology itself
• we will explore the internet for some web-based sources for biblical resources and materials

• Meeks, Wayne, ed. The HarperCollins Study Bible. New York: HarperCollins, 1993.
• Aland, Kurt. Synopsis of the Four Gospels: English Edition. New York: United Bible Societies, 1982; revised printing 1985.
• Powell, Mark Allan. Fortress Introduction to the Gospels. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1998.
• Cartlidge, David R. & David L. Dungan. Documents for the Study of the Gospels. Revised edition. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1994.
• A set of 6 different "highlighter" pens or colored pencils (red, yellow, blue, orange, green, purple).

• HarperCollins Bible Dictionary. Revised ed. San Francisco: Harper, 1996. -  ref.  BS440 H235 1996
• Anchor Bible Dictionary. 6 vols. New York: Doubleday, 1992.  -  ref. BS440 A54 1992
• New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1990.  -  ref. BS491.2 N485
• Bibloi CD-ROM Program - available on the LMU Library Reference Area Computers.
• Other biblical commentaries on reserve in the LMU Library (upstairs).
• Charts, images, glossaries, and lots of other materials available on the professor's web-pages.

1. Regular Attendance and Active Participation in Class Lectures and Discussions:  On-time daily attendance is required.  Please inform me in writing of any unavoidable absences (school sports, serious illness, family emergencies). Your final course grade will be lowered one step (A to A-) for every three unexcused absences.  Preparation and participation by all students is essential. Always be ready to summarize readings, take notes, ask questions, give answers, evaluate presentations, challenge your own and others' assumptions (respectfully!).

 
2. Daily Reading Assignments:  All readings should be done before class, so that you can contribute intelligently to the discussions. Be prepared daily to summarize the content of all primary (ancient) texts and the highlights of the secondary (modern) readings. In your own notes, write a few questions or observations about the readings that you can share with the rest of the class. Each day, I will call upon some students to summarize the readings and to share some of your prepared questions and observations with the rest of us.

 
3. Periodic Student Presentations:  As of October, small groups of students will carefully study particular biblical passages, to lead the class discussions and/or present their interpretations in some creative way (dramatic skits, film clips, music, art, etc.).  Extra research tools are available in the reference and reserve sections of the LMU library (listed above), and/or on the course web-pages.

 
4. Brief Written Exercises:  There will be a few very short papers (ca. 2 pages), due at the beginning of the class periods listed below. Late papers will be graded down one full letter grade for each day they are late (yes, they are that important!). Instructions for each exercise will be available on the course web-pages well in advance.

 
5. Final Project or Paper:  Everyone will choose a topic (subject to the professor's approval) to research in depth and to present in some academically appropriate form.  There is great flexibility here; you can write an individual research paper (8-10 pages), or work with a small group on a significant creative project (e.g. web page, teaching aides, film, etc.). There will be three phases: a one-page proposal, a full rough draft, and the final project/paper.

 
6. Examinations:  We will have four quizzes (about 15 minutes each), and a comprehensive final exam.

 
7. Academic Integrity and Honesty:  You are strongly encouraged to study together with other students, and you may always use any books and other resources to help you learn. However, all written work must be your own, unless you are directly citing from sources that you properly credit.  Copying from any other person, any book, or anything on the internet (even if you change a few words), without properly referencing your sources, is considered plagiarism and will result in a failing grade for the entire course.

 
8. Internet Resources and E-Mail: Use of a web-browser to access this course's web-pages and other internet resources, and of e-mail to receive announcements and send messages is essential for this course. These tools are available to everyone at LMU. If you are not familiar with them, please contact LMU's Information Services, your College's Technology Office, and/or the professor, and we will be glad to help you learn how to use them.

A: 90-100%,     B: 80-89%,     C: 70-79%,     D: 60-69%,     F: (hopefully not necessary!)
        Letter +/- within 2%  --  e.g. A- 90-91%,     B+ 88-89%,  etc.
Class Participation, Reading Preparation, and Presentations:  100 points (or 20% of the 600 point total)
Written Exercises:  100 points (4x25 points; 20% of total)
Final Project / Paper:  100 points (20% of total)
Quizzes:  100 points (4x25; 20% of total)
Final Exam:  100 points (20% of total)