RST 304
Dr. Alan Altany (curriculum vitae)
RST 304, Section 101: T/R 9:30-10:45, Harris Hall 445
Class Electronic Discussion Lists: rst304-9901-list@marshall.edu
Class Electronic Discussion Lists Archives:
http://bailey9.marshall.edu/~altany/rst304-9901-list/
Office hours: MW 10-11, 12-2 Office Email: Student email will be responded to
within
T/Thr 11-12:30
24 hours of reception
F 10-11
Text/Resources: The Historical Figure of
Jesus, E.P. Sanders
World-Wide Web Sites: The Quest of the
Historical Jesus
From Jesus to Christ
Noncanonical Homepage
The Gospel of Thomas
Infancy Gospel of
Thomas
Tour Jerusalem
Jerusalem Through the
Ages
Jesus Seminar
The Search
for the Historical Jesus
The following course explanation, in its totality, is a syllabus
that is dynamic and flexible according to the
needs of the learners and of the learning process. It is not presented as complete
at the beginning of the
study, but as an initial trajectory for the study. More specific guidance
will be available as needed along
the way. You, the learner, have a voice in the directions our study of world
religions takes so that our work
is most significant for you and for the class as a whole.
Course Description
This course is an analysis of early Christian writings, primarily
the canonical gospels, with the objective
of developing a systematic study of the message of the
"historical Jesus" that stand behind them. Jesus
and his teachings have been pivotal in the development of western
culture over the centuries. We will
use tools of critical (meaning analysis & interpretation)
historical and literary scholarship to investigate
what can be discovered about Jesus of Nazareth, a first century
AD/CE Palestinian Jew and rabbi,
through the main writings about Jesus, the gospels. We will
approach Jesus and the early Christian
communities in their historical, cultural, political and religious
contexts, especially in relationship with the
Judaism of Jesus' time and of the times of the formation of the
written gospels.
Course Objectives
By the end of this study it is hoped and expected that each student
will be able to formulate a foundational understanding of the contextual meaning of Jesus'
teachings. Each learner should gain an introductory,
but insightful, comprehension of the Christian gospels, the process
of their formation, and what can be
learned about the historical teachings of Jesus of Nazareth from
them. Learners will also gain a familiarity
with scholarly methodologies of historical and literary
investigation, especially in discerning the teachings of
Jesus in the synoptic gospels. This can all serve to
encourage learners in their quest for meaning, under-
standing, compassion and wisdom.
Computing in this Course
Each student needs to have the basic ability to use email that is
web-sensitive such as Netscape Messenger
or Microsoft Outlook and to be able to find and utilize world-wide
web resources that are available for the study
of religion and religions through use of a web browser such as
Navigator (2.0 or higher) or Internet Explorer.
The course will include sending and receiving email, web site
readings and research, an electronic discussion
list (with web archive) and electronic publication of student
writings, both individual and collaborative.
The educational use of telecomputing will facilitate ongoing
asynchronous discussion, submission and revision of student writings, peer review of
student writings, collaborative group writings and projects, individual communi-
cation with the professor, or among students, and publication of an
electronic course journal with student contributions. Telecomputing tutorials
are available and guidance on how to communicate kindly and with respect
on the Internet (netiquette).
The purposes of the using of computer technology in this study are as follows:
* Participation in the archived, asynchronous class discussion
list (mailserv)
* Anytime communication of questions, comments, problems, etc. with the
professor via individual email
* Engage in a semester-long discussion with other learners in the course via
the class discussion list
* Submit individual & collaborative writings electronically to the class list or
professor
* Investigate relevant World-Wide Web sites
* Collaborate with other students in the course on projects/writings via email
* Expand opportunities for reflective participation in the study, beyond the
limitations of a classroom place and classroom time
* Encourage learners/students to become more central in the learning process
and more responsible for their own, and others', learning
* Develop computer skills
* Allow learning to become more enjoyable, valuable, enduring, self-directed and
expansive beyond just a transfer of information from professor to student
Attendance Policy
Attendance at every class is expected and necessary to best benefit
the act and art of learning through the discussion and writing orientation of this course
on a very complex subject.
Drop Policy
The official withdrawal policy is observed where the withdrawal
("W") period for an individual
course begins August 31st and ends October 30th. From
November 2nd to November 8th only
complete withdrawals from the university are allowed.
Course Evaluation
Writings (in &
out of class, individual & group)
- 25 %
Electronic
Discussion
- 25 %
Self-directed Group
Presentation
- 25 %
Final, Formal
Essay
- 25 %
All writings, presentations, discussion list postings need to be
handed in on time to receive full
evaluation
Semester Schedule