The Bible as Literature (220-0-01)

Instructors

Barbara Newman
847/491-5679
University Hall 215

Meeting Info

Harris Hall 107: Mon, Wed, Fri 11:00AM - 11:50AM

Overview of class

This course is meant to familiarize you with the most influential text in Western culture from a literary perspective. No previous acquaintance with the Bible is presupposed. We will consider such questions as the variety of literary genres and strategies in the Bible; the historical situation of its writers; the representation of God as a literary character; recurrent images and themes; the Bible as a Hebrew national epic; the New Testament as a radical reinterpretation of the "Old Testament" (Hebrew Bible); and the overall narrative as a plot with beginning, middle, and end. Because time is short, we will concentrate on those books that display the greatest literary interest or influence. From the Torah we will read Genesis, Exodus, and parts of Deuteronomy; from the Prophets, the Lamentations, Jonah, Daniel, and Second Isaiah; and from the Writings, the books of Judges, Ruth, Psalms, Job, and the Song of Solomon, along with the saga of King David and portions of the Wisdom literature. In the New Testament, we will read the Gospels according to Matthew, Luke, and John and the book of Revelation. (We're skipping Paul because he's more a theologian than a literary writer.) We'll look more briefly at issues of translation, traditional strategies of interpretation, and the historical processes involved in constructing the Biblical canon.

Teaching Method

Three interactive lectures and one discussion section per week.

Evaluation Method

Grades will be based on regular attendance at section and active, informed discussion (25%); four 15-minute quizzes given in section (25% total); and eight weekly Canvas posts, or short critical and creative essays, written in response to prompts (50% total). Any finding of AI use on these assignments will result in failure for the course.

Class Materials (Required)

You can use either the New Oxford Annotated Bible (New Revised Standard Version) or the New International Version. Other versions are not allowed because they differ too radically. You should bring a printed Bible to every lecture and section meeting.

Class Attributes

Ethical and Evaluative Thinking Foundational Disci
Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline
Interdisciplinary Distro-rules apply
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area
Ethics & Values Distro Area

Associated Classes

DIS - University Hall 318: Fri 12:00PM - 12:50PM

DIS - University Hall 418: Fri 12:00PM - 12:50PM

DIS - University Hall 118: Fri 12:00PM - 12:50PM

DIS - University Library 4722: Fri 2:00PM - 2:50PM

DIS - University Hall 418: Fri 1:00PM - 1:50PM

DIS - University Hall 118: Fri 1:00PM - 1:50PM

DIS - University Hall 318: Fri 1:00PM - 1:50PM

DIS - University Hall 418: Fri 2:00PM - 2:50PM

DIS - Locy Hall 109: Fri 12:00PM - 12:50PM

DIS - Locy Hall 109: Fri 1:00PM - 1:50PM

DIS - University Hall 218: Fri 12:00PM - 12:50PM

DIS - University Library 4722: Fri 1:00PM - 1:50PM