| AAR Syllabi Project | Course Syllabi |
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| Contents Course Description and Objectives |
Paul of Tarsus Instructor Michel Desjardins Institution Wilfrid Laurier University Course Level and Type Year 3; lecture Hours of Instruction 36 hours; 3 hours per week over a 12 week term Enrolment and Last Year Taught 35 students; 1998 |
Course Description and Objectives
An examination of Paul s life and teachings as seen in the early Christian literature likely written by him (Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, Philemon), about him (Acts, Acts of Paul and Thecla), and in his name (Ephesians, Colossians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Prayer of the Apostle Paul, Apocalypse of Paul). I would hope that you emerge from the course conversant with the early Christian literature connected to Paul, familiar with issues central to Paul and to many Christians since his day, and eager to continue exploring the world of Christian origins.
The course will focus on the relevant texts in combination with their key themes. Tuesdays we will look closely at the texts, and much of this will be in lecture format; Thursdays we will look at themes which range more broadly throughout the Pauline literature, and much of this will be interactive, including small-group discussions and the viewing of movie extracts. I expect you to come to each class having read the assigned readings.
A modern translation of the Bible (the WLU bookstore has copies of the New Revised Standard Version)
C. J. Roetzel, The Letters of Paul: Conversations in Context (available at the WLU bookstore and on 3-hr/overnight reserve at the library)
D. R. MacDonald, The Legend and the Apostle: The Battle for Paul in Story and Canon (available at the WLU bookstore and on 3-hr/overnight reserve at the library)
Course Requirements and Evaluation
* Explanation: The quiz will be based exclusively on C. Roetzel s The Letters of Paul. This book offers a fine introduction to Paul, and once you have worked through it carefully you will likely benefit more from the rest of the course. In week 2, I will provide you with more specific information on how to prepare effectively for this quiz.
* Explanation: I am offering you the choice between two essays, allowing you to deepen your knowledge in one area. The first essay, due February 24, is an exploration of the "Paul" who emerges from his seven undisputed letters (Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, Philemon, 1 Thessalonians): if you had only these sources with which to draw a portrait of Paul, the man and the thinker, what would that portrait resemble? The second essay, due March 10, is a comparison of the "Pastoral" Paul (as seen in 1-2 Timothy and Titus) and the one that emerges from the undisputed letters (Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, Philemon, 1 Thessalonians). For both essays I expect you to focus exclusively on the primary sources (build your picture from the biblical texts, not from scholars points of view). I will provide you with more specific essay-writing information in the weeks to come.
* Explanation: I expect you to review D. R. MacDonald s The Legend and the Apostle.
This book situates the Acts of Paul and Thecla in an early Christian context and allows you to experience some scholarly debates. I will provide you with more review-writing information as the time approaches. What might help you now is to anticipate spending roughly two thirds of the review summarizing the author s position (what does he say? how does he say it? why might he be saying it?), offering your own opinions in the remaining one third (keeping this section distinct).
* Explanation: The university requires final examinations. They can be good learning experiences. We will discuss this one together as the time approaches. Count on it primarily reflecting class material and discussion.
We will have the help of a Teaching Assistant in this course: Jason MacDonald. He will hold weekly office hours (to be determined; you will receive written notification), and will be responsible for grading your quiz and book review (I will assess your essay and the final examination). Jason (email: macd1140@mach1.wlu.ca) is an M.A. student in our department and works in the field of Christian origins.
I have liked the weekly mix of (a) close attention to primary texts, (b) thematic focus which involves ranging widely in the Pauline material and finding modern parallels. Students have found that the mix keeps them awake (no mean feat in Winter term; they particularly like the modern video connections, and tell me that in this regard they now see "Paul" everywhere in their lives--eegads). They have also been appreciative of the variety of assignments.
It's a challenge teaching a course on Paul: everyone loves Jesus, half the class typically will resent Paul before they enter the course--and by the time my course (where anything goes as long as one can find strong textual support) is over, many of those who found Paul appealing no longer think so, while some who found him troublesome are attracted ... it's like having a class that collectively is in a perpetual state of PMS.
http://www.wlu.ca/~wwwaar/syllabi/paul_tarsus-desjardins.html
Latest update: August 02, 2002
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