Winter 2018/Houston

BI500

Davis

 

BI500:  INTERPRETIVE PRACTICES (4 Units: 160 hours).  James A. Davis.

                                                                             

 

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 class meets once per week for 3.5 hour sessions for a total of 35 hours of classroom instruction including lecture and discussion. In addition, 5 hours of directed learning activities will be assigned for a total of 40 instructional hours.

 

REQUIRED READING: 1020 pages required.

Either CEB, TNIV, or NRSV [90 pp. assigned].

Green, Joel B., ed. Hearing the New Testament: Strategies for Interpretation. 2nd ed. Eerdmans, 2010. ISBN: 978-0802864208, Pub. Price $30.00 [273 pp. assigned].

Gorman, Michael J., Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers. Baker Academic, 2008. ISBN: 978-0801046407, Pub. Price $22.99 [174 pp. assigned].

Davis, Ellen F. Davis and Hays, Richard B., The Art of Reading Scripture. Eerdmans, 2003. ISBN: 978-0802812698, Pub Price $36.00 [229 pp. assigned].

W. Randolph Tate, Biblical Interpretation: An Integrated Approach. 3rd ed. Baker, 2014. ISBN: 978-0801049859, Pub. Price $29.25 [244 pp. assigned]              

 

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. 1020 pages of required reading, completion of a reading log and a passing grade on a Pass/Fail quiz on the contents of the required reading (5% of the grade). [This assignment is directly related to learning outcomes 1, 3 and 4] [68 hours @ 15pp per hour rate].
  2. Exegetical Exercises; written exercises to practice various skills in the interpretive process (e.g. the use of a concordance) using a variety of texts from the Old and New Testaments (total: 2500 words; 25% of the grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 4]. [20 hours including 5 hours of DLAs].
  3. Completion of two short 1,250-word Interpretive assignments; at least one from each testament including and emphasizing the use of interpretive practices and appropriate skills. (30% of final grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 4, 5]. [12 hours].
  4. Final exegetical paper; a final 2,500-word “signature assignment” research paper (40% of the grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 4 and 5]. [25 hours].

 

PREREQUISITES:  OT500 or NT500.

 

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.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification.  (9/17)