Fall 2016/Fuller Online

BI500

Erickson

BI500: INTERPRETIVE PRACTICES (4 Units: 160 hours). Richard J. Erickson

DESCRIPTION: This course introduces interpretive approaches and practices for students of the Bible. Students will consider the aims and assumptions of biblical interpretation, become familiar with major resources for study of the Bible, interpret a variety of biblical texts in both testaments, and reflect upon the manner in which the varied contexts (e.g., social, cultural, theological) of the biblical world and contemporary readers inform interpretation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing this course will have demonstrated (1) the capacity to engage in close study of a variety of passages in the Bible prior to engaging in conversation with various scholarly resources; (2) judicious use of critical tools and resources for the study of biblical texts; (3) critical reflection on the theory of interpretation; (4) practice with interpreting a variety of biblical texts from both testaments, with consideration of the varied contexts of both the biblical materials and contemporary readers; and (5) skill in developing interpretations that engage contemporary concerns, and that encourage and challenge the church to remain faithful to its mission.

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. 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: c. 1,100 total number of pages required.

About 10 selected biblical texts [c. 15-20 pp.].

González, Justo L.Santa Biblia: The Bible through Hispanic Eyes.Abingdon, 1996. ISBN: 978-0687014521, Pub. Price $18.99 [124 pp. assigned].

Gorman, Michael J. Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers. Revised and expanded edition. Baker Academic, 2008. ISBN: 978-0801046407, Pub. Price $21.99 [304 pp.assigned].

Gorman, Michael J., ed. Scripture: An Ecumenical Introduction to the Bible and its Interpretation. Baker Academic, 2005. ISBN: 978-0801046421, Pub. Price $25.00 [288 pp. assigned]. Sixteen essays written by an ecumenically diverse list of women and men.

Green, Joel B. Seized by Truth: Reading the Bible as Scripture. Abingdon, 2007. ISBN: 978-0687023554, Pub. Price $25.99 [185 pp. assigned].

PDF lectures and PPT voice-over micro-lectures posted on Moodle [c. 100-150 pp. assigned].

Various articles in dictionaries of the Bible [c. 30 pp. assigned].

Students are required to work with at least the CEB, TNIV, or NRSV for each biblical text used in the course agenda; any additional versions are also welcome, including Hebrew and Greek.

RECOMMENDED READING: See list in course syllabus.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. C. 100-150 pp. of weekly PDF lectures and short voice-over PPT “micro-lectures”. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 3]. [10 hours].

  2. C. 1,000 pp. of required reading from Scripture, textbooks, and articles. Compliance measured in three 500-word reading reports (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 3]. [70 hours].

  3. Four group engagements—each in a Moodle wiki—on an assigned Scripture text (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4]. [25 hours; all of which count as a DLA].

  4. Three 500-word maximum “exercises” on specific, selected biblical texts (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4]. [18 hours].

  5. Three threaded online “cross-pollinated” group discussions of texts and proposed analyses; contributions to each discussion forum include a 300-word forum post, together with at least three 200-word replies (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 3, 4, 5]. [11 hours].

  6. A 2000-word close-reading analysis of a selected text, incorporating consideration of scholarly discussion as well as of the effect of reading from location. (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2, 3, 4, 5]. [26 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets a core requirement in the 120 MDiv and the 80 MAT, 80 MATM, 80 MAICS Programs (Fall 2015). Meets the HERM requirement in the 144 MDiv Program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.


NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.

For your convenience, order these texts online through the Archives Bookshop.