1.272 - Experiencing the Gospel According to Mark

 

FALL 2006                                                                                                                      Dr. Mark Vitalis Hoffman

 

RATIONALE

A study of the Gospel of Mark employing a variety of interpretive approaches, especially those which highlight its character as story and narrative engaging the reader. (Prerequisite: 1.205 and knowledge of Greek) .5 Credit

 

Neglected through much of Church history, the Gospel of Mark has recently been recognized as a true work of literature that functions narratively to proclaim the "good news of Jesus, God's Son." While attending to its narrative features, this course will be attuned to how this Gospel is experienced by a variety of readers/hearers in various social locations, in order that students in the class may both appreciate the subtle power of this gospel and themselves become more effective proclaimers of this good news.

 

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. describe the narrative strategies used in the Gospel of Mark
2. demonstrate competence in a variety of interpretive approaches to the Gospel
3. perform a selected pericope from Mark demonstrating their awareness of narrative tactics

 

STRATEGIES

In order to accomplish the stated Objectives of this course, the following Strategies will be employed:

1.  CLASS SESSIONS

All sessions meet in Valentine 310. Class will be held on Fridays, 10:25-11:40.

Students are expected to bring the NET Bible (physical or digital) to every class.

 

2.  CLASS PARTICIPATION

The students will be expected to attend class regularly, to have read all required readings prior to class, to accomplish all pertinent translations/exegeses, and to be prepared to discuss the topics for each class session. There will be an online forum for this class. Participation in the online forum is not required, but it will be considered as part of the overall class participation evaluation.

 

3.  CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

Students will be expected to hand in all assignments on time. Assignments will be accepted past the due date ONLY if the reason for tardiness is commissural with a reason why a rostered leader would not be prepared to preach or teach as expected by their congregation on a given Sunday.

 

NOTE: For the Reading Lists check the Bibliography and Resources page

 

4. REQUIRED READING – Part 1

 

5. REQUIRED READING  - Part 2 (You are to read at least one book from this list.)

 

6. OPTIONAL – Commentaries – You are encouraged to have at least one good commentary to accompany your reading of Mark.

 

7. OPTIONAL – Interpreted Readings – Reading and reporting on these books is possible for extra credit. (Maximum two-page, double-spaced report)

 

8. REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS

A.    Complete readings from required books per schedule

B.     Read the whole Gospel of Mark (out loud, if possible) in one sitting using The Message (In addition to print versions, it is available online or in Logos Gold or as a Logos Addon Module)

C.     Read the whole Gospel of Mark (using NRSV or NET) from the perspective of both 1) a character in the Gospel and 2) a modern, social location. Following this reading, each student will write a maximum two page paper (one inch margins, double-spaced, 12 point font) reflecting on the reading experience.

D.    A five minute maximum, in-class, oral report on the book you chose from the recommended reading list. These will be scheduled throughout the semester.

E.     Each student will choose one pericope in Mark at the first class session to be a focal text for the semester. Using this text, each student will:

·         ‘Perform’ the text for the class: More details will be given in class, but this will involve memorizing and presenting the pericope. Students may use any translation, including their own, and may change narrative perspective. (Staging, backdrop, props, etc. may be used but are not necessary.)

·         Write a 5-7 page paper (one inch margins, double-spaced, 12 point font) that pays close attention to narrative aspects of the pericope and discusses it from one other critical perspective.

 

EVALUATION

Evaluation of students will be as follows:

o       1-2 page Reflection Paper on reading experience----------------   15%

o       Recommended reading report------------------------------------     5%

o       Pericope ‘performance’-------------------------------------------   20%

o       5-7 page Pericope Paper------------------------------------------   40%

o       Classroom preparedness and participation-----------------------   20%

o       Extra Credit: 1-2 page Optional Book Review------------------ up to + 3%

 

To receive a passing grade for the course students will need to attain at least 70% total

For those taking the course for a grade: 70-79 = C; 80-92 = B; 93-100 = A

 

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TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

DATE	FOCUS	ASSIGNMENT completed by:	MARK TEXT
Sept 8	Introductory Matters
Sept 15	Narrative Criticism 1	M&M: 1-49
Sept 22	Narrative Criticism 2
Sept 29	Social Criticism 1	M&M: 135-161
Oct 6	Social Criticism 2
Oct 13	Feminist Criticism	M&M: 103-134
Oct 20	NO CLASS READING DAY
Oct 27	Liberation Approaches
Nov 3	Other Postcolonial Readings
Nov 10	Reader-Response Criticism	M&M: 50-83
Nov 17	Deconstructive Criticism	M&M: 84-102
Nov 24	NO CLASS THANKSGIVING RECESS
Dec 1	Pericope ‘performances’
Dec 8	Pericope ‘performances’
Dec 15		Pericope Papers Due