Spring 2002, Tuesday 2:00-4:50  Beasley Hall 204 Instructor: David Gunn Beasley Hall 207 or 221; tel: 817-257-7441 email: d.gunn@tcu.edu Class web site: www2.tcu.edu/depts/religion/discuss

Course Description

A widely ranging investigation of the reception history of the Books of Samuel with special attention to the figures of David and Bathsheba. Topics include early Jewish literature, medieval theology and art, Bible illustration, reformation politics, renaissance sculpture, baroque painting, children's literature, and contemporary novels and movies. A study of the Bible and Western culture.

Course objectives

• To learn a range of ways in which the Bible has been interpreted or "received" over two thousand years, mainly in European culture, with the Books of Samuel as exemplar.
• To formulate theory which accounts for multiple receptions of texts, especially as that theory relates to an understanding of the Bible as Scripture.

• To learn about particular interpreters and particular reception contexts through the history of reception.

• To develop critical skills for recognizing and analyzing the rhetoric of texts and of visual communication that invoke biblical authority as a means of persuasion.

• To develop research skills relating to the study of the Bible and its reception.

• To develop the art of writing succinct critical analysis of written materials and oral discussion.

• An electronic journal, posted on the class website on the TCU (Religion Department) Discuss Board (www2.tcu.edu/depts/religion/discuss).

• Before class: (i) a report of reading and viewing (of relevant books, articles, films, etc.) in preparation for the class; (ii) preparatory analysis of the material being discussed, including (iii) the formulation of questions relating to issues of method or interpretation raised by the reading and viewing. Normally about 1000 words.

• After class: reflection after the class on the cogency (or otherwise) of the discussion as a whole or of some selected items of particular import arising from the class discussion. Normally about 750 words.

• The writing style may be informal, but not careless. Proper paragraphing and complete sentences should be used and care taken with spelling. Points should be made clearly and succinctly.

• Pre-class entries must be completed before class and no later than 3:00pm, Monday. Post-class entries must be completed no later than 3:00pm Friday of the same week.

• Worth 50% of final grade.

• Individual and small group presentations on particular topics.

• To be arranged in consultation with the instructor.

• Worth 40% of the final grade.

• A critical review (c. 2,000 words) of central issues raised in the class over the semester.

• To be posted on the web site by 3:00pm, May 6^th.

• Worth 10% of the final grade.

• Class participation, including attendance, will be taken into account when determining a final grade. This class cannot work well without sustained participation.

Selected biblical texts and secondary sources (drawn from books, articles, films, and other visual sources) will be assigned for each class. Keeping up with the schedule of reading/viewing will be essential for satisfactory progress in the class. Arrangements will be made in class for obtaining and viewing visual materials, including videos (which will be viewed outside class times). There are no required books as such, but reading lists will be issued in conjunction with particular topics and these will draw on a range of primary and secondary materials.

Class Schedule

The following schedule is tentative and may be changed in consultation with the class members.

January 15   Course introduction
 
January 22 Renaissance sculpture

January 29 Reformation theology and politics

February 5 No class

February 12 Medieval theology and art

February 19 Early Jewish and Christian literature

February 26  Movies

March 5   Scripture biography

March 12 No class

March 19 Voltaire and the deists

March 26 Baroque painting

April 2 Group presentation

April 9 Children's literature

April 16 Drama and novels

April 23 Group presentation [Last class]

May 6 Critical review due at 3:00pm