English 207: The Bible as LiteraturePolicy On Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the undocumented use of another person’s ideas, organization, or research on a written assignment. It is plagiarism to turn in a paper written by another student or to copy or paraphrase any portion of your text from another source (for example, the internet, journals or books) without proper acknowledgement. Any case of plagiarism will be prosecuted according to the guidelines in the St. John Fisher Student Handbook. Typically, students who plagiarize in this course fail the course.Policy on DisabilitiesDr. Deb VanderBilt Office: Basil [email protected] Phone: 385-8193M 11:30-12:30; T 11-12:30; W 1:30-2:30 or by appointmentEnglish 207: The Bible as LiteratureIn this course we will study the Bible as a literary document, with attention to genres, characters, and language. We will also look at the Bible as a text subject to the cultural forces that influence all texts, such as issues of canonicity, theories of authorship and methods of interpretation. I have three goals for this class:1. Increase each student’s awareness of important Biblical figures and events that are subsequently used by other authors throughout history up to our own time. 2. Increase each student’s knowledge of what is contained in the Bible, to give a broader picture than what the student currently understands.3. Increase each student’s assortment of tools for interpretation, some for the reading of literaturein general, some for interpreting the Bible specifically.Required Texts: The Holy Bible. Any translation is acceptable, as long as it is unabridged. The Bible as Literature: An Introduction. 4th edition. Oxford University Press.Margaret Atwood, A Handmaid’s Tale (1985)Course Assignments: Two papers and a final exam are required. Students must complete all three to pass the course. In addition, there will be quizzes and graded class exercises. I expect students to have all the reading completed for the day on which it is listed in the syllabus.Grading Percentages: Paper #1 (5 pages) 20%Paper #2 (8 pages) 20%Midterm Exam 20%Final Exam 20%Class exercises 20%and participation(including group work)Attendance policy: Students may miss one class without penalty. Subsequent absences will cause your final grade to be lowered. There is no difference between excused and unexcused absences in this course.Policy On Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the undocumented use of another person’s ideas, organization, or research on a written assignment. It is plagiarism to turn in a paper written by another student or to copy or paraphrase any portion of your text from another source (for example, the internet, journals or books) without proper acknowledgement. Any case of plagiarism will be prosecuted according to the guidelines in the St. John Fisher Student Handbook. Typically, students who plagiarize in this course fail the course.Policy on DisabilitiesIn compliance with SJFC policy and applicable laws, appropriate academic accommodations are available to you if you are a student with a disability. All requests for accommodations must be supported by documentation / diagnosis and determined reasonable by SJFC. Students with documented disabilities are encouraged to make an appointment with Ms. Chris Hogan in K202. Late notification will delay requested accommodations.SyllabusJan 15 Introduction to courseRedaction & translation issues------------------------------------------------------------------------Jan 22 Read TBAL Chapters 1 & 3Read Genesis “Sarah the Priestess”------------------------------------------------------------------------Jan 29 Read TBAL Chapters 4 & 7Read Exodus 1- 34JEDP; Moses------------------------------------------------------------------------Feb 5 Read TBAL Chapter 5Read Ruth, Esther, JudithWomen in the Bible------------------------------------------------------------------------Feb 12 Read Joshua & JudgesRead TBAL Chapter 8------------------------------------------------------------------------Feb 19 Read I Samuel 8-31; II Samuel; I Kings 1-12Film: King David------------------------------------------------------------------------Feb 26 Read Job, Ecclesiastes, Jonah, any 5 PsalmsTBAL Chapter 9“Wisdom” literaturePAPER #1 DUE------------------------------------------------------------------------Mar 4 Midterm ExamRead Song of Songs (Song of Solomon)Allegory------------------------------------------------------------------------Mar 11 Spring Break------------------------------------------------------------------------Mar 18 Read Daniel, Life of Adam and Eve (xerox); Bel and the Dragon (xerox for some)TBAL Chapter 6------------------------------------------------------------------------Mar 25 Read Gospel of Mark, Gospel of Thomas (xerox)TBAL 14Orality; “Q”; Parables------------------------------------------------------------------------Apr 1 Read Gospel of JohnRead TBAL Chapter 13The Jesus Seminar------------------------------------------------------------------------Apr 15 Read RevelationRead TBAL Chapter 10 Discussion, Last Temptation of ChristPAPER #2 DUE------------------------------------------------------------------------Apr 22 Read Handmaid’s Tale, first half------------------------------------------------------------------------Apr 29 Finish Handmaid’s TaleReview for Final------------------------------------------------------------------------Final