Summer 2015/Fuller Online

NE567

Givens

NE567: THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW (4 Units: 160 hours). Tommy Givens.

DESCRIPTION: This course is an interpretive study of the Gospel according to Matthew, which seeks to acquaint students with the larger movement of the narrative and the intricacies of select passages, develop their skill in reading the Gospel, and deepen their understanding of Jesus and Christian discipleship.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete this course will have demonstrated (1) knowledge of the structure, main themes, and message of Matthew; (2) the ability to marshal, with literary, historical, and theological sensitivity, an interpretive argument for a coherent reading of a passage of Matthew; and (3) patient reflection on Matthew’s witness to Christian faithfulness in the face of social and political difference.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours, which is outlined below in the assignment and assessment section. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: Approximately 899 pp. required reading.

The Bible in the NRSV, CEB, or TNIV [120 pp.].

Choose ONE of the following:

France, R. T. The Gospel of Matthew. NICNT. Eerdmans, 2007. ISBN: 978-0802825018, Pub. Price $70.00 [1233 pp.].

Keener, Craig. The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Eerdmans, 2009. ISBN: 978-0802864987, Pub. Price $60.00 [1090 pp.].

Choose ONE of the following:

Allison, Dale. Studies in Matthew. Baker, 2012. ISBN: 978-0801049132, Pub. Price $32.00 [282 pp.]. OR

Carter, Warren. Matthew and the Margins. T&T Clark, 2005. ISBN: 978-0567040619, Pub. Price $90.00 [658 pp.]. OR

Hauerwas, Stanley. Matthew. Brazos, 2006. ISBN: 978-1587430954, Pub. Price $29.99 [272 pp.].

Course reader on Moodle. Includes articles/chapters by Étienne Balibar, Shaye Cohen, Musa Dube, Frances Taylor Gench, Amy Jill Levine, and others.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. In preparation for each topic, reading of biblical text with Moodle posts (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1] [28 hours total: 8 hours reading + 20 hours for 500-word weekly posts/replies].
2. In preparation for each topic, reading of secondary material with Moodle posts (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1] [72 hours total: 52 hours reading + 20 hours for 500-word weekly posts/replies].
3. In preparation for each topic, reading, viewing, or listening to material posted by professor with student Moodle posts (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1] [20 hours total: 10 hours reading/listening + 10 hours for 250-word weekly posts].
4. One interpretive working paper on one passage in Matthew (1,500 words) (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2] [10 hours].
5. One final interpretive paper arguing for a coherent reading of a single passage in Matthew (3,000 words) (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2] [24 hours].
6. One final essay reflecting on conflict in Matthew and its implications for Christian discipleship in the divisions of our time (1,500 words) (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 3] [6 hours].

PREREQUISITES: There are no prerequisites for this class, though BI500 or NS500 or NT500 are recommended.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Counts as a biblical elective for the 120 MDiv Program and the MATM and MAICS Programs (Winter 2010), and the NTBK requirement for the MAT Program (Winter 2010).

FINAL EXAM: None.