Winter 2017/Pasadena
NT824
M. M. Thompson
NT824: CRITICAL ISSUES IN JOHN. Marianne Meye Thompson.
DESCRIPTION: This CATS seminar introduces students to perennially challenging and important issues in the study of the Gospel of John, including the socio-historical contexts in which the Johannine tradition grew; the Gospel’s presentation of Jesus in its historical and theological dimensions vis-à-vis Judaism, the Roman empire, and early Christianity; and recent developments in the study of the Gospel.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) familiarity with a range of recent critical issues in studying the Gospel of John; (2) skill in the interpretation of the Greek text of the Gospel of John; (3) an ability to engage in thoughtful and generous criticism of recent research into the Gospel; and (4) the capacity to produce sound research reflecting critical abilities.
COURSE FORMAT: NT824 is a six unit course (360 hours). This class meets once per week for three-hours for review of assignments, discussion of primary and secondary texts, seminar presentations, and occasional brief lectures.
REQUIRED READING (1500 pages total; 100 hours)
Bauckham, Richard. Jesus and the God of Israel: God Crucified and Other Studies on the New Testament's Christology of Divine Identity. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008. ISBN 978-0802845597. $34.00. [59 pp.]
Martyn, J. L. History and Theology in the Fourth Gospel. Rev. and expanded ed. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2003. ISBN 978-0664225346. $35.00. [200 pp.]
Other required reading is on e-reserves and in commentaries [1241 pages].
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Regular attendance, preparation for, and participation in class discussions (30 hours)
Five exegetical assignments of about 1500 words [30%] (50 hours).
Five discussion assignments based on weekly secondary reading [20%] (20 hours)
A final research paper, of 7000- 8000 words inclusive of footnotes on a passage from or topic related to the Gospel of John [40%] (150 hours)
Critical response to a colleague’s paper [10%]. (10 hours)
PREREQUISITES: Th.M. or Ph.D Student.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.