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SCTR 19 – "Religions of the Book" – Spring 2007

Fr. Felix Just, S.J.
Dept. of Religious Studies, Santa Clara University

Schedule of Readings & Assignments

Abbreviations:

  • Hst = Historical Topics; Scr = Scriptural Texts; B&P = Beliefs & Practices; HB = Hebrew Bible; OT = Old Testament; NT = New Testament;
  • CSB = Catholic Study Bible; RG = “Reading Guides” in the front of the CSB; VSI = Very Short Introduction (thin textbooks from Oxford University Press)
  • ERes = Electronic Reserves (readings online through the SCU Library); HO = printed handouts.

Reminders: All primary and secondary readings should be done before you come to class each day (except the first day, of course); check this webpage daily for online readings.

Date Main Topics Primary Readings Secondary Readings Exams, Resources, etc.
Mon-
4/2
Course Introduction:
* Texts & Resources; Scriptural References
* Context & Content: Historical & Literary
HB: Genesis 1:1 - 2:3
NT: Matthew 1:1-18
Qur’an: Surah 1:1-7
Course Syllabus & Website
CSB: Contents (pp. v-xix)
*Biblical References
*Relig. Studies Resources
Wed-
4/4
Preliminary Considerations:
* Defs: Religion, Faith, Theisms, Scripture, Bible, etc.
* Rels. of the Book, Abrahamic, Monotheistic, Western?
HB: Deuteronomy 6:1-25
NT: Mark 1:1-45
Qur’an: Surah 96:1-19
ERes: Kessler, “What Is Religion?”
RG 3-9 – General Intro
Qur’an: Prefaces, ix-xiv
*Religion.htm and PPT
*Biblical Glossary
4/6 No Class: Good Friday . . Select Term Project Topic
Mon-
4/9
Intro to ISRAELITE RELIGION: Family of Abraham
Scr: Book of Genesis
B&P: Covenant & Circumcision; Land & Inheritance
Skim: Genesis 1–50
Focus: Gen 9, 12, 15–18, 21–23, 25
ERes: Bowley, “Beginnings of Bible”
RG 10-12 – Texts & Background
RG 30-53 – Hist & Arch. (skim)
*Western-Rel.htm or PPT
*Abraham and Covenants
*Middle East Geography
Wed-
4/11
Hst: Moses & the Exodus
Scr: Torah (Law / Instruction / Teaching)
B&P: Monotheism & Idolatry
Skim: Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Focus: Exod 1–3, 11–12, 19–20, 32–34
RG 85-90, skim 91-99 – Pentateuch
RG 115-125 – Exodus
*Bible Translations
*Israelite History & PPT
Fri-
4/13
Hst: The Israelite Monarchy; David & Jerusalem
Scr: Nevi’im (Former & Latter Prophets)
B&P: Temple & Sacrifice; Priesthood & Prophecy
Skim: Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings;
Focus: 2 Sam 5–7; 1 Kgs 6, 8, 12; 2 Kgs 18, 22–25
RG 68-75 – Bible Translations
RG 149, 156, 169, 183 – Deut. Hist.
Propose Site Visits
*Biblical Genres & PPT
Mon-
4/16
1) Exam 1 on Religion Intro & Israelite Religion
2) Intro to JUDAISM: People & Covenant
Hst: Exile & Restoration; Second Temple Period
Scr: Khetuvim (Writings)
.
Skim: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, 1 & 2 Chronicles
Focus: Esther 6–10
.
Judaism VSI: Intro & Ch. 1
RG 199, 203, 207, 211 – Chron. Hist.
RG 222-225 – Esther
*EXAM 1
 
*Judaism: Overview
*Jewish History & PPT (cont.)
Wed-
4/18
Hst: Hellenistic Judaisms: Judea& Diaspora
Scr: Hebrew Bible (HB) & Septuagint (LXX)
B&P: Politics & Religion; Assimilation vs. Resistance
Skim: Deuterocanonical Books (T.J. McWEB)
Focus: 1 Macc 1–4 (compare 2 Macc 4–10)
Focus: Daniel 1–2, 7–9, 13
Judaism VSI: Ch. 2 (focus) & 3 (skim)
RG 226-234 – Maccabees
RG 336-343 – Daniel
*Heb/Xtian Bibles and PPT
*Hellenistic Era Rulers
*Book of Daniel
Fri-
4/20
Hst: Rabbinic Judaism: Surviving post-70 CE
Scr: Written & Oral Torah (Tanak; Mishnah & Talmud)
B&P: Mitzvot: Ethics, Rituals, Food, Sex, etc.
Skim: Mishnah & Talmud (intros online)
Focus: compare Exod 20 & Deut 5;
Focus: Lev 11 (skim Lev 17–26); Deut 14–16
Judaism VSI: Ch. 6 & 9
RG 125-133 – Leviticus
RG 141-148 – Deuteronomy
*Decalogue
*Judaisms in 2nd Temple Era
*Rabbinic Literature (PPT)
Mon-
4/23
Hst: Medieval & Modern Judaism: Prayer & Worship
Scr: Hebrew Bible in Jewish Liturgy
B&P: Hebrew Calendar; Feasts & Festivals
Skim: Psalms, Song of Songs
Focus: Psalms 1–2; 148–150; Lamentations 1–5
ERes: Szlakmann, “Sabbath/Festivals”
Judaism VSI: Ch. 4 & 5
RG 243-254 – Psalms
*Psalms
*Festivals and Feasts (PPT)

*Jewish Prayer (PPT)
Wed-
4/25
Hst: Contemporary Judaism: Groups & Branches
Scr: Interpretations of the Hebrew Scriptures
B&P: Jewish Family Life; Life-Cycle Events
Skim: Job, Ecclesiastes, Proverbs
Focus: Ruth 1–4; Prov 1–4, 30–31
ERes: Schoen, “Branches of Judaism”
Judaism VSI: Ch. 7 & 8 & Appendices
RG 164-169 – Ruth
Field-Trip: Temple Emanu-El,
Rabbi Dana Magat
Fri-
4/27
Hst: Jewish-Christian Relations
Scr: More on the Prophets
B&P: Expectations of the Messiah & the Future
Skim: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, 12 Minor Prophets
Focus: Isaiah 6, 11, 24, 40, 42, 53, 55, 61, 65-66
CSB-OT 928-30 – Intro Major Prophets
RG 344-45 – Minor Prophets
*Prophecy
*About Judaism (offsite)
Mon-
4/30
1) Exam 2 on Judaism
2) Intro to CHRISTIANITY: Messiah & Gospel
Overview of NT, Jesus, and Christianity Today
x .
ERes: “Christianity” (optional)
Christianity VSI: Intro
EXAM 2 & Synagogue Visit
Reports Due
*Christianity: Overview
& PPT
*Christian History
Wed-
5/2
Hst: Jesus’ Public Ministry, Passion & Death
Scr: Gospel according to Mark
B&P: Christology & Discipleship
Read carefully: Gospel of Mark (all 16 chs.) ERes: Metzger, “NT Canon”
RG 387-89, skim 390-97 – Mark
*NT Canon and PPT
*NT Christology and PPT
*Disciples / Apostles
Fri-
5/4
Hst: Jesus’ Birth & Resurrection
Scr: Canonical & Non-Canonical Gospels
B&P: Prayer & Worship; Feasts & Festivals
Skim: Gospels of Matthew, Luke, John
Focus: Matt 1–2; Luke 1–2; John 1
Focus: Matt 28; Luke 24; John 20-21
Christianity VSI: Ch. 1 & 2
RG 371-72, 373f, 397f, 412f – Gospels
RG 76-84 – Bible in the Lectionary
*Four Gospels
*Jesus' Birth & Resurrection
*Lectionary/Liturgy & PDF
Mon-
5/7
Hst: Early Christianity: Christology & Creeds
Scr: Acts of the Apostles & Letters of Paul
B&P: Church Structure & Ministry
Skim: Acts; Romans through Philemon
Focus: Acts 1–4, 10–11, 15–16; Gal 1–3
Christianity VSI: Ch. 3 & 4
RG 423-26, 439-41 – Acts & Paul
RG 16-29 – Bible in Catholic Life
Field Trip: St. Clare Parish
*Christian Creeds & Trinity
*Branches of Christianity
Wed-
5/9
Hst: Christian Growth & Divisions Worldwide
Scr: Catholic/General Epistles
B&P: Sacraments & Life-Cycle Events
Skim: Hebrews through Jude
Focus: John 3; 1 Cor 11–14; Heb 1; James 1–5
Christianity VSI: Ch. 5 & 6
RG 496-501 – Hebrews
RG 501-06 – James
*Eucharist & Mass
*Xn Liturgy: Biblical Bkgrnd
*Sacraments & PPT
Fri-
5/11
Hst: Contemporary Christianity
Scr: Apocalypse/Revelation
B&P: Ethics & Eschatology
Skim: Book of Revelation
Focus: Matt 5–7, 25;
Focus: 1 Thess 4; 2 Peter 3; Rev 1, 19–22
Christianity VSI: Ch. 7 & Conclusion
RG 510-12 – 2 Peter
RG 520-24 – Revelation
 *Faith & Works & Ethics PPT
*Apocalypse
*Eschatology
& PPT
Mon-
5/14
1) Exam 3 on Christianity
2) Intro to ISLAM: Message & Messenger
Overview of Qur’an, Muhammad, and Islam Today
.
Skim: Qur’an, Contents (pp. xxv – lxii)
Review: Qur’an 1:1-7
.
Islam VSI: Ch. 1 – Islam & Islamism
HO: “Discover Islam”
EXAM 3 & Church Visit
Reports Due

*Islam: Overview
*Qur'an Overview & PPT
Wed-
5/16
Hst: Muhammad’s Life & Preaching in Makka
Scr: Qur’an – early surahs in Makka
B&P: Pillars of Muslim Belief: God, Prophets, Afterlife
Skim: Qur’an 67 – 114
Focus: Qur’an 96, 97, 106, 107, 112; 75, 88, 92
Islam VSI: Ch. 2 – Qur’an & Prophet
ERes: Cook, “Message of the Koran”
*Life of Muhammad
*Islamic Beliefs & PPT
Fri-
5/18
Hst: Muhammad & the Muslim Community in Madinah
Scr: Qur’an – later surahs in Madinah
B&P: Pillars of Muslim Practice: Prayer & Worship
Skim: Qur’an 2 – 7
Focus: Qur’an 2:122-152, 183-203, 261-281
Islam VSI: Appendix – Five Pillars
Qur’an: Ali’s Intro (pp. 1-12)
Field Trip: Masjid An-Noor (MCA)
*Pillars of Practice
Mon-
5/21
Hst: The Early Muslim Community after Muhammad
Scr: Compilation of the Qur’an & Hadith Literature
B&P: Prophets, Successors, Leaders
Skim: Qur’an 8 – 16
Focus: Qur’an 8:1-37, 65-75; 14:1-52
Islam VSI: Ch. 3 – Divine Unicity
HO: “Islam Introduction”
*Pillars of Practice PPT
*Islamic Calendar & Feasts
Wed-
5/23
Hst: The Expansion of Islam
Scr: Interpretation of the Qur’an
B&P: Islamic Law & Ethics
Skim: Qur’an 17 – 29
Focus: Qur’an 22:1-48; 24:1-34
Islam VSI: Ch. 4 & 5 – Shari’a & Women *Women in Qur'an & Islam PPT
*Islamic History (cont.)
Fri-
5/25
Hst: Muslims in the World Today
Scr: Use of the Qur’an in Islam
B&P: Inter-religious Dialogue, Conflict, Extremism
Skim: Qur’an 30 – 66
Focus: Qur’an 41:1-54; 44:1-59
Islam VSI: Ch. 6 – Two Jihads *PBS: Islam (offsite)
*Islamic Glossary
5/28 HOLIDAY: Memorial Day . . .
Wed-
5/30
A) Exam 4 on Islam
B) Comparative Issues: Prophets
HB: Deut 18:9-22; 34:9-12; Isa 6:1-10; 61:1-11; Mal 3:1-5, 16-24
NT:
Luke 4:14-30; 1 Cor 12:28-29; Hebr 1:1-5; 3:1-19;
re-read
Mark 6:14-15; 8:27-28; 9:2-13; John 1:1-51
Qur’an:
3:42-60; 4:150-173; 5:109-120; 6:84-90; 33:40
1) Judaism 101: Prophets
2) FJ: Biblical Prophecy
3) Alislam.org: Prophets
EXAM 4 & Mosque Visit
Reports Due
Fri-
6/1
Term Project Presentations (w/ Molly):
1) Matt: Israel & Palestine

2) Juliana: Sunni & Shi'a
Matt's Readings:
HB:
Gen 22:9-14; Exod 11:1-10; 12:37-42; 2 Sam 5:1-5; 6:1-10
NT:
Matt 21:1-5, 12-17; Mark 15: 22-32; Acts 1:13-15
Qur'an:
5:97-100; 6:91-94; 27:83-93; 42:1-9

Juliana's Readings:
HB:
Deut 13:1-19; 1 Kings 12:1-33
NT:
2 John 1-13;  3 John 1-15
Qur'an:
33:21-27; 49:1-18
Matt:
*Top Ten Pros & Cons
*Brief History of Israel & Palestine
*Origin of Palestine-Israel Conflict
Juliana:
*Sunni and Shia
*Shias Killed in Pakistan
*Baghdad Ambush
Mon-
6/4
Term Project Presentations (w/ Gina):
3) Natasha: Contraception

4) Ashley: Stem Cell Research (PPT removed)
Natasha's Readings:
HB:
Gen 1:22; 4:1; 21:1-3; 33:5; 38:6-11; Psalms 113, 127, 139:13-24
NT:
Mark 10:13-16; Luke 1:5-80; 1 Tim 2:14-15; Rev 9:21
Qur'an:
3:4-7; 4:1; 6:151; 16:70-78; 17:31; 22:5; 31:33-34; 39:5-7; 53:32


Ashley's Readings:
HB: Gen 2:4-16; Exod 20:13; 21:22-23; Deut 6:5; 24:6-22;
Psalm 127:3-5; 139:13-16; Isaiah 49:1-7; Jer 1:4-10
NT:
Mark 14:22-26; Matt 26:26-30; Luke 1:39-45; 10:42; 22:14-20; John 6:22-59
Qur'an:
Surah 2:258-260; 41:1-54; 67:1-14; 96:1-2
Natasha:
*Judaism on Contraception
*Christianity on Contraception
*Islam on Contraception
Ashley:
*Overview of Stem Cell Research
*Judaism on Stem Cell Research
*Christianity on Stem Cell Research
*Islam on Stem Cell Research
Wed-
6/6
Term Project Presentations (w/ Jack):
5) Stephanie: Gay Rights

6) Andrea: Religion in U.S. Politics
Stephanie's Readings:
HB: ?
NT: ?
Qur'an: ?


Andrea's Readings:
HB:
Isaiah 33:22
NT:
Romans 13:4
Qur'an:
5:44
Stephanie:
?
Andrea:
*Judasim:
*Christianity:
*Islam:
Fri-
6/8
Term Project Presentations (w/ Fr. Felix):
7) Jamie: Environmental Ethics

Course Summary & Review
Jaime's Readings:
HB:
Lev 19:9-10; 25:23-24; Deut 22:6-7; Psalms 103:14-18
NT:
Luke 9:28-36; John 1:1-14; Rom 8:19-23
Qur'an:
6:141; 34:15-17; 89:11-14
Jamie:
*Jewish Environmental Perspectives
*Reading NT in Environmental Age
*Qur'an Cares about Environment
x
6/11 FINAL EXAM Monday, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. . .

Santa Clara University

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