The Great Work: Literature of the
Old Testament
Expectation:
A creative and critical, really good essay that integrates all of the readings,
class discussion, web resources,
guests and other resources and your own reflections. You can integrate
your own ideas and experience into
the essay. This paper is not strictly a research paper, but more of a contemplative
essay in which you are
to integrate you work for the course by means of a particular topic.
Format:
submitted to the mentor's email address as direct email [attachments will
be returned automatically],
free of grammatical errors (excessive grammatical errors will reduce the
grade); a completely original
essay (plagiarism will result in a grade of "0" and likely course failure)
Length: 1750-2250 words (please edit your essay so that it is very close to this length)
Due: Noon, Dec. 7, 2000 [may be submitted earlier]
Essay Topic:
Write your essay on only one (1) of the following topics:
1. Write a short story about a biblical character or event in which,
through the fiction, you portray
the intentions of the biblical authors/redactors within the literary, cultural,
religious, political
context of the times.
2. In what different and/or differing ways have Old Testament stories
been understood as true
within the Jewish and Christian traditions? Be specific and illustration
your argument with
examples from various OT writings.
3. Explain and differentiate literalistic v. nonliteralistic ways
of understanding an OT story, or of
reading the OT as a whole (with specific writings discussed for illustrative
purposes).
4. Interpret the origins, nature, role and meaning of evil in the
OT, giving specific references
in support of your argument.
* If you would prefer to write on a
topic not listed here because you think that topic would be more
significant and captivating for you, email me with the possible topic and
why you want to write on it.
Criteria for Evaluation:
1.
Essays will be evaluated primarily for the actual content that is analyzed,
interpreted & evaluated
2.
A well presented essay, free of grammatical errors, etc.
3.
A totally original essay without copying from any sources; plagiarism =
"0"
4.
The essay needs to directly address the topic selected
5.
Direct or indirect quotes or references from the writings should be included
in the essay by referring to
chapter and verse (if the OT), or but author and page number.
6.
If other sources/resources are used besides are class text and Bible, include
a bibliography of those sources
at the end of the essay.
7.
Web links may be included in the body of the essay where appropriate.
As this course comes to a
conclusion, you are requested to actively contribute to the final
evaluation
of your work this semester
and what you think, based upon your writings, participation, development
in
critical, creative thinking,
reading of assignments, attendance, contribution to work in groups, discussion
list participation, web
site research, effort, etc. would be an honest, fair and accurate letter
grade that
would truly reflect the
quality and quantity of your work in this study. Be sure that your
essay expresses
WHY you say what you say
should be your letter grade.
This narrative of the self
given grade and the reasons for it, if done seriously and honestly, will
be seriously
considered when your official
course grade is given. Don't inflate or deflate your work and participation.
Only you can give the perspective
and analysis of your work in the course that you can. I hope you
will
take this essay as a way
of expressing your voice and taking more responsibility for the course
as a whole.
Thank you for cooperating in your evaluation.
This self evaluation essay
is to be sent along with your final, individual essay, as a single
email,
to the mentor's email
address no later than noon, Dec. 7, 2000.
Your reflection should be 300 - 400 words in length.