Jesus: The Person & The Myth
Course Syllabus: Page 3 of 6
Revised: October 6, 2012
Jesus: The Person & The Myth
Course Syllabus and Requirements
Theology & Religious Studies 122-01
MWF 8:00am – 9:00am, Dante Hall, Room 220
Fr. John R. Morris, O.P.
General Information:
Office: Dante Hall, 326
Office Phone: Ext 4242
Home Phone: (925) 631-8020 (preferred)
Fax #: (925) 377-0156
Email: .
Office Hours: M 10:30 am - 12:00 noon
W 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
and by appointment.
Course Description:
This course will attempt to recover as much of the life and times of Jesus of Nazareth as are possible: his teaching and his works; his impact on his society and the call of men and women to discipleship; the reasons for his untimely death and the significance of his resurrection. With this perspective, we will attempt to respond to the questions and challenges that his life and ministry posed for the early Christian communities, most especially as they are articulated in the Gospels and the normative statements developed in the councils of the fourth and fifth centuries. We will attempt to respond to the questions and challenges that his life and ministry pose for us today. We will attempt to determine the meaning of Jesus for contemporary women and men.
The Purpose of This Course:
The purpose of this course is to put the student in touch with one of the more exciting contemporary developments in theology, namely, the recovery of a significant amount of information concerning the life and times of Jesus of Nazareth. We will attempt to trace the development that led his disciples to affirm of him his full status as Christ, Son of God, and Lord. The purpose or goal of the course, however, extends beyond the informational. It is also formational in as much as it provides an opportunity to reflect upon Jesus’ life and message and discover what impact that might have for us in the present time both in our personal as well as our public lives. Thus, our interest is not only historical but it is also theological.
Learning Outcomes for this Course:
The Learning Outcomes for this course are implied in both the Course Description and the stated Purpose for this course. They are articulated here so that the student may understand clearly what we hope to accomplish this semester.
1. The student should acquire significant knowledge of Jesus of Nazareth, that is, the Jesus of history. The focus will be on his historical ministry, his authentic words and deeds, and especially on his personal self-understanding.
2. The student should acquire an understanding of the post-resurrection faith affirmations articulated by the primitive Christian community contained in the New Testament. The student should understand the development of the various images of Christ in the Gospels, why they came about and what they signify.
3. The student should gain an understanding of the development of Christology that is contained in the normative statements of the Ecumenical Councils of the fourth and fifth centuries. The student should understand the basic arguments that led to these normative statements and have knowledge of the major theological contributors.
4. The student should acquire knowledge of the development that took place from the great Councils of the third and fourth centuries to its contemporary articulation. The student should acquire knowledge of both liberation and feminist Christologies.
5. The student should learn about the principles and method of theology and how it is used to explore the faith of the Church more deeply. The student should learn to think theologically and use the method properly.
6. The student should acquire significant understanding of the Catholic tradition and how it relates to other faith traditions and be able to come to a personal theological conclusion about Christology as well as other theological subjects.
Texts:
· John Morris, Jesus: The Person & The Myth. Third Draft, 2012. These chapters are a written text of the lectures and will be provided for you.
· Gerard Luttenberger, An Introduction to Christology (Mystic, CT: Twenty-third Publications, 1998
· Joseph Fitzmyer, A Christological Catechism (New York/Mahwah: Paulist Press, 1990).
· Elizabeth A. Johnson, Consider Jesus: Waves of Renewal in Christology, (New York: Crossroad Publishing Company, 1991).
· The New American Bible, Saint Joseph Edition, (New York: Catholic Book Publishing Company). Any version of the New Testament will do but this particular version has wonderful footnotes which will be referred to during the course.
Class Format or Method:
To accomplish this purpose the course will be partly lecture and partly discussion. The lecture will focus on the more significant events in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. As we proceed, you are encouraged to ask questions about material or terminology which you do not comprehend or of which you have no previous familiarity. The class discussion will serve as a catalyst for personal reflection. In order for the discussion to be fruitful you must carefully review class lectures and assiduously read the material for the day it is assigned.
Students are invited and expected to enter into dialogue with the teacher and with one another. The assigned readings and lectures will form the basis for our discussion. Students may also expect to be called upon to summarize and comment on the readings and lecture material. Normally, the last ten minutes of each class period will be spent preparing you for the reading assigned for the following class.
Not all of the readings will necessarily be covered in class lecture or discussion. This material, however, remains relevant for exams.
Five-Minute Synopsis:
A brief, five-minute “synopsis” or “snapshot” will be administered at the completion of a block of material. This is not a quiz, nor will it be graded. It is simply a technique to get you to state what you have grasped or have not grasped in your own words. The exercise ought to be helpful to both you and me.
Written Examinations:
There will be two examinations: one during the mid-term, one during finals week. They will be based largely on the lectures and readings. Their intention is not merely to indicate that the student has mastered a certain amount of positive material but also to test his or her ability to think reflectively on a given theological question. Please Note: Make-up exams are rarely permitted.
Written Papers:
There will be two short papers assigned during the semester: one during the midterm period; the other the week before final examinations. They will permit the student more creativity than is possible during the examinations. They will also be judged more strictly than the exams since the student will have more time and the availability of resources not available during the exams. The papers will provide the student with the possibility to express his or her ability to understand intellectually a serious theological problem and respond to it using the methods and information already assimilated as well as researching the subject matter. These papers provide the student with the opportunity to develop his or her own theological opinions.
Student Requirements for Class:
· Attendance:[1] You are expected to attend class regularly and habitually and be on time. Please honor this rule. Failure to do so will have a very significant negative impact on your final evaluation. Please note that the current Student Handbook leaves penalties for absences in the hands of the professor. Therefore, be apprised that more than six absences will be cause for disqualification from the course. Tardiness or leaving class early is never permitted and carries with it serious penalties. A significant number of absences, tardiness or leaving class early will be sufficient reason to lower your final grade, regardless of how well you do on your exams and other course work. They may be counted as absences in determining your final grade. Please, no eating or drinking during class time, and no cell phones. Please come properly attired for class, that is, no pajamas. Men, please remove your hats/caps.
· Assigned Reading: Students are expected to carefully complete the assigned readings on time, paying particular attention to the primary source, which is the selected texts from the Scriptures. Approximately 3 hours preparation for each class hour is highly recommended. It may help students in their study to prepare a brief outline of the readings and to note issues that require further clarification.
The reading assignments are given in detail in the Reading Syllabus. Besides the reading in Morris and Fitzmyer, be assiduous in reading the primary data, which are the Scriptures.
· Participation: Students are expected to participate, even to take the initiative, in class discussion. Feel free to enter into dialogue with your peers and with me. It is a valuable learning tool for you and will give me a better perception of the level of the class. Your willingness to participate will set the tone for the class and guarantee its success. Without it we are all impoverished.
· Academic Integrity: Beginning the academic year 2004-2005, a
new Academic Honor Code was initiated. You would be well served to refer to the Academic Honor Code in the Undergraduate Student Handbook.[2] The penalties for cheating are now quite severe. We will address this issue and the issue of academic integrity within the first two class periods of the semester.
Grading will be based on the following:
The Examinations will constitute the major portion of your final grade. They will be based largely on the lecture and discussion material and will test how well you know the general information and are able to resolve theological questions. Two papers will also be assigned, one during the midterm period, the other the week before finals week. Each will be more strictly graded than the in-class exams since you will have time to reflect, research and organize your thoughts.
· Midterm Examination = 30%
· Final Examination = 40%
· Papers = Each is worth 15%
· Participation in class activities (this includes listening attentively to others as well as articulating your own ideas) will not be assigned a percentage of your grade. However, failure to adequately participate will have the effect of lowering your final grade.
· No credit is given for attendance since this is a prerequisite and is expected. Lack of attendance (three or more absences), tardiness or inappropriate classroom behavior will have the effect of lowering your final grade. The highest final grade possible if you have four absences is a B; five absences is B-/C+; six absences is a C. More than six absences will be cause for academic disqualification from the course.
Saint Mary's College employs the following final grades: A, excellent; B, very good; C, satisfactory; D, barely passing; and F, failing. Plus/minus grading is employed to further distinguish the letter grading system. See the current College Catalog.
This grading system suggests the following:
C, or “satisfactory”, indicates that all the course requirements have been met, assignments have been presented in a clear and timely fashion, and attendance, deportment and participation have been good.
B, or “very good”, indicates a comprehensive development beyond “satisfactory”. For a “B” grade, the student must acquire a deeper assimilation of the course material and be capable of articulating it.
A, or “excellent”, indicates exceptional work. The student demonstrates an in-depth understanding and insight of the problems presented and their solutions, which must be reflected in all areas of study, including: class participation, daily homework, the research paper, and examinations.
Student Disability Services:
Student Disability Services extends reasonable and appropriate accommodations that take into account the context of the course and its essential elements for individuals with qualifying disabilities. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Student Disability Services Office at (925) 631-4358 to set up a confidential appointment to discuss accommodation, policies, guidelines and available services. Additional information regarding the services available may be found at the following address on the Saint Mary’s website: http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/academics/academic-advising-and-achievement/student-disability-services.html
Calendar/Outline of Course:
Please see the Reading Syllabus that follows this Course Syllabus.
[1] Please refer to Academic Regulations in the current Student Handbook. The brief statement concerning absences will be posted on Gael Learn.
[2] Please consult the Student Handbook at http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/your-safety-resources/student-handbook [for traditional undergraduate students]