DESCRIPTION: This course is a study of the Gospel of Mark using the English text.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Mark's Gospel challenges disciples today to consider what kind of response followers of Christ will have to the message and works of Jesus. In most ministry settings, studying Scripture occurs using the English text. This course will help to hone students' skills in English text exegesis to help others understand and live God's Word.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated (1) familiarity with the distinct content (e.g., Son of Man, Messianic Secret) and literary structure of Mark and its portrayal of Jesus; (2) a basic understanding of the Greco-Roman and Jewish cultural and historical settings that provide insights for interpreting Mark; (3) a basic understanding of various hermeneutical approaches to the Gospel (e.g., form, redaction, and narrative criticisms); (4) developing basic interpretive skills in the exegesis of Mark in English.

COURSE FORMAT: The course meets weekly for three-hour sessions, which involve lectures and discussion related to the readings and assignments based on Mark and secondary sources.

REQUIRED READING:

Anderson, Janice Capel, and Stephen D. Moore, eds. Mark and Method: New Approaches in Biblical Studies. 2d ed. Fortress, 2008. ISBN 9780800638511. Pub. price $22.00.

Dowd, Sharyn. Reading Mark: A Literary and Theological Commentary on the Second Gospel. Reading the New Testament. Smyth & Helwys, 2000. ISBN 9781573122887. Pub. price $19.00.

Rhoads, David, Joanna Dewey, and Donald Michie. Mark as Story: An Introduction to the Narrative of a Gospel. 2d ed. Fortress, 1999. ISBN 9780800631604. Pub. price $21.00.

Telford, William. The Theology of the Gospel of Mark. Cambridge University Press, 1999. ISBN 9780521439770. Pub. price $31.99.

A list of recommended reading will be available in the bookstore and in the course syllabus.

1. Regular attendance, participation, and preparation for each meeting of the course by carefully reading the assigned texts

2. Regular short (1-2 pp.) written assignments in preparation for class on a Gospel passage or course topic (30%)

3. One "Bible study" (2-4 pp.) for a given pericope in Mark (20%)

4. One research paper (10-12 pp.) on a given pericope from Mark (30%).

5. Final examination covering lectures and reading (20%)