THE BIBLE AND CLASSICAL LITERATURE

Fall 2015 HONR 1214-02 Lynn McMillon, Ph.D. 12:40 - 1:30 MWF Distinguished Professor of Bible

Chris Rosser, M.L.I.S., M.Div. Associate Professor of Library Science

Oklahoma Christian University is a higher learning community that

transforms lives for Christian faith, scholarship and service. HONR 1214-02 The Bible and Classical Literature offers a careful study of key biblical texts and the worldview they teach juxtaposed with a study of classical texts from the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. Students study the similarities of theme and artistic form between the two types of text and analyze the different responses they offer to our human condition and needs.

SCHEDULE

Date Class Topic

8/31 M Encountering Various Worldviews (McMillon)

9/2 W Sampling of Worldviews around the Globe (McMillon and Rosser)

9/4 F Ancient Worldviews; Enuma Elish (Rosser); Faith Story papers due

9/7 M Enuma Elish

9/9 W The Epic of Gilgamesh

9/11 F The Epic of Gilgamesh

9/14 M How We Got the Bible (McMillon)

9/16 W Special event: Tour of the Sacra Pagina exhibit

9/18 F Introduction to Types Biblical Literature (McMillon)

9/21 M Gen 1-4; Mesopotamian worldview papers due

9/23 W Gen 5-11

9/25 F Genesis 12-17 The Call of Abraham (39-45, 50 The Joseph Story)

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9/28 M Job 1-7

9/30 W Job 8-17

10/2 F Job 29-42

10/5 M Job 38-41

10/7 W Job 38 and 41

10/9 F 1 Kings 2-3 The Period of Monarchy

10/12 M Ezra 1-6 Later Hebrew Worldview – Second Temple Period

10/14 W Neh. 1-2, 5-6, 9 Later Hebrew Worldview – Second Temple Period

10/16 F FALL BREAK Oct. 15-16

10/19 M Research Strategies Workshop (Rosser)

10/21 W The Greeks: Aristotle and Plato

10/23 F The Greeks: Introducing Homer; Hebrew worldview papers due

10/26 M Odyssey: Justice and Hubris (Scrolls VII and VIII)

10/28 W Odyssey: Hospitality and Domestic Order (Scrolls IX and XIV)

10/30 F Odyssey: Temperance (Scrolls XVI, XVII, XVIII)

11/2 M Odyssey: Courage (Scrolls X and XI)

11/4 W Odyssey: Wisdom (Scrolls XXI and XXII)

11/6 F Research Strategies Workshop

11/9 M The Romans: Pietas and Pax Romana ; Collaboration Project due

11/11 W Virgil’s Aeneid (readings from books 1-6)

11/13 F Virgil’s Aeneid (readings from books 7-12)

11/16 M Virgil’s Aeneid: Iconography and ekphrasis

11/18 W Luke 1-6

11/20 F Luke 7-13; Greek worldview papers due

11/23 M Luke 14-19

11/25 W THANKSGIVING

11/27 F THANKSGIVING

11/30 M Luke 20-24

12/2 W Acts 1-4

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12/4 F Acts 5-9

12/7 M Acts 10-15

12/9 W Colossians 2-3; 1 John 3-5

12/11 F 1 Corinthians 15; 1Thess. 4:13- 5:1; 2 Thess. 2:1-12; Christian worldview papers due

12/14 M FINAL EXAM: 1:00 to 2:50 (Capstone Discussion/Project)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Assignment Values

Faith Story 10% Paper 1 Mesopotamian Worldview 10% Paper 2 Hebrew Worldview 10% Paper 3 Greek Worldview 10% Paper 4 Christian Worldview 10% Collaboration Project 10% Class Participation 30% Final Capstone Discussion 10%

Grade Scale:

A 92-100 92 A- 96 A 99 A+ B 82-91 82 B- 86 B 89 B+ C 75-81 75 C- 78 C 80 C+ D 67-74 F below 67

REQUIRED TEXTS

Because excellent translations of both classical and biblical literature are readily and freely available, our course does not require the purchase of any textbooks . However, we highly recommend that students acquire a good study Bible, like the HarperCollins Study Bible (NRSV) or the NIV Study Bible , which will serve them throughout their studies.

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTIONS

Faith Story Assignment. You are to write an initial paper describing your own faith journey to this point in life. A separate description provides the specific elements of that paper (see below). Though your faith story is not graded you will receive a 95% for completion and on-time submission. Due Sept. 4 at class time.

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Papers. Four papers of 1,100 to 1,350 words each, 12 pt. Arial double-spaced, are required. Each paper must reflect careful reading of the texts appropriate to a specific culture. The papers should include specific details and attitudes reflected about the culture. As much as possible you should try to enter into the spirit and values of the culture being discussed. Further description of these papers is provided in class. The final paper (Christian worldview, a comparison paper) must show a depth of understanding of the values and elements of the New Testament readings. The Christian worldview you develop from the readings must be well explained and supported from Scripture. The worldview compared to the Christian worldview must be treated objectively and respectfully. In all papers appropriate references to texts and readings should be documented in MLA format. Collaboration Project. Through the Collaboration Project, students will use research strategies discussed in class to locate two scholarly articles that address topics relevant to class discussions. Students will provide a citation for each article, a link to the article in the databases, and compose a three sentence annotation for each article. The three sentence annotation will evaluate the article's authority and timeliness, capture the thesis and/or content, and describe how this article might be useful for classmates. Students will post their article citations, links, and annotations in the assignment’s Google Doc. Finally, using the Comments feature, students will respond to one classmate's citations by accessing one of their two articles and commenting on the article's content in relation to class discussions. Through this collaborative assignment, all citations, links, and annotations become a bibliography of helpful resources for researching the Bible and Classical Literature. Estimated time on task: 45 minutes per article, 30 minutes responding to a classmate; 2 hours total, spread over several class periods. Class Participation. Because this course is primarily a readings seminar, students are expected to contribute thoughts and discussion at each class period. Accordingly, grades will be awarded for participation and quality of contribution. Though a student may occasionally have a quiet day, persistent silence will result in reduction of the participation portion of the grade. Class attendance and punctuality are essential for maximum development. Absence from the discussion, interaction, and exchange is irretrievable. Students must report their absence or tardiness to the instructor prior to class. Absences may be excused for illness, family emergency or official representation of the university, though excusing an absence or tardiness is at the discretion of the instructor. Capstone Final. The final examination period will be used for a class discussion or project that brings together the many things studied during the semester. Each student is expected to participate in the capstone in order to receive a grade for this portion of the course.

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ELEMENTS OF A WORLDVIEW 1. Does deity exist and what is its nature?

Which came first, deity or matter? What are the characteristics of the god or gods? What are the attitudes of gods toward each other, the material world, and humans?

2. What is the nature of the world around us?

What is in charge of the world? What is the source of this reality? Does this reality have any impact on human life?

3. What is a human being?

Distinguish humans from deity. Are we as human beings determined or free? Are we alone the makers of values? What is the relation of body and mind? What are the limits of human intellect? How did we know right from wrong?

4. What is the meaning of human history?

Does history repeat itself? Is history aimless or moving toward a culmination? Does it have purpose?

5. Is there a life beyond this life?

Why is that important to know? How do we find out about it?

As a Bible course, Honors 1214 will guide students through a comparative study of worldviews surrounding the Judeo-Christian worldview of the first century. The purpose is to gain a clearer understanding of the unique Christian worldview that is found in Scripture as the word of God. Stronger faith in God is an intended outcome of the course. Christian Worldview. The fundamental assumption of this Christian worldview is that God is at work redeeming the world to himself through his son Jesus and we can know him, his purpose and his work through the Bible which is an inspired record of God’s revelation to the world. When determining how one views the world, life, and his or her place in it, there are several major categories of thought to be considered. Some of those elements are:

1. Does deity exist and what is its nature? 2. What is the nature of the world around us? 3. What is a human being? 4. What is the meaning of human history? 5. Is there life beyond this life?

In this course each of these subjects will be addressed either directly or indirectly as the redemptive message of God is surveyed, compared, and contrasted to other ancient worldviews.

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COURSE OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES Course Objectives as Related to the University Core 1. Active Faith. Students will:

● reflect on and describe their own “faith journey” in a paper ● identify genre differences in Scripture and describe how genre informs the reading of a text

Measure(s): faith story paper; worldview papers 2. Foundational Knowledge . Students will:

● engage and discuss a selection of significant ancient and classical texts ● compare and contrast ancient/classical texts with biblical literature

Measure(s): worldview papers 3. Information Literacy . Students will:

● demonstrate an ability to find, evaluate, and share resources pertinent to the study of the Bible and classical literature

● collaborate in groups to create a virtual space for resource sharing and discussion Measure(s): worldview papers; collaboration project

4. Structured Reasoning. Students will:

● demonstrate the ability to question topic concepts, articulate a clear thesis, and outline a compelling argument to support their thesis. Measure(s): worldview papers.

5. Critical and Creative Thinking. Students will:

● demonstrate strategies for slow-reading and critical questioning of texts ● discern themes and engage complex ideas emerging from the texts encountered

Measure(s): daily contribution to class discussion; worldview papers 6. Effective Communication. Students will:

● demonstrate skills in academic writing through drafting and rewriting ● present ideas to classmates through class discussions and in-class projects

Measure(s): discussion participation, collaboration project, and worldview papers. 7. Personal, Social, and Global Stewardship. Students will:

● identify and discuss basic questions of worldview, discern worldview(s) embedded in ancient texts, and discuss implications of contemporary worldviews being read into ancient texts

● describe resonances of Biblical material with classical literature and how these ideas provide tools for dialogue with others who hold dissimilar perspectives Measure(s): faith story paper; worldview papers

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POLICIES

Communication & Office Policies Email and Phone To contact your professors, you may call, email, or come by or make an appointment. The best way to contact your instructor is by email. Whenever possible, your instructor will respond within 24 hrs. of receiving an email message. Do not wait until the "last minute" (e.g. just before class time) to send an email and expect an immediate answer or that the instructor even received the message. Clearly mark all e-mail messages to the professor on the subject line as shown below:

Subject line: HONR 1214 Last Name, First Name Assignment Name Students may call the instructor on his office phone (see page 1 of syllabus). If unavailable, you are encouraged to leave a voicemail message including your name and the reason for your call.

Phone extensions: Lynn McMillon, 5073; Chris Rosser, 5323 We also encourage private appointments to discuss the class or anything else. Office Hours Students should feel free to stop by the instructor’s office for consultation. It is best to email or call in advance to make an appointment to ensure that the instructor will be available. You may visit with Dr. McMillon at class for an appointment time or email him for a time; feel free to visit with Mr. Rosser during class, stop by the Reference Desk at the library, or email for an appointment. Absences and Late Work The discipline of completing work on time is an important lesson to master. Papers and exams are due on the date assigned. In the event of tardy work, the student must notify the instructors of his or her impending tardiness and gain excuse prior to the due date of the assignment or exam. For exams, it is the responsibility of the student to schedule and take a makeup exam as soon as possible after the originally scheduled exam. Failure to schedule and take a makeup exam in a timely manner will result in the grade of “F” for the exam. Acceptance of late papers and exams is at the discretion of the instructors. Closings and Emergencies In the case class cancellation or campus closure for inclement weather or emergencies, students will be notified via email and Blackboard announcement. For this course always prepare for the assignment for the given date. The professor will later give any instructions regarding make up of missed work. Follow the syllabus for daily class assignments. In case of an emergency, faculty, staff, and students who have signed up for OC Campus Messenger (oc.edu/notify) will be notified by text, email, or Twitter. If the emergency occurs during class, the instructor will inform the students present of the appropriate procedures.

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Laptop/Handheld/Phone Policy Laptops are not allowed in class. All other electronic devices may not be used during class periods. Americans with Disabilities Act If you have a diagnosed disability and need special accommodations, please notify Ms. Katy Roybal (425-1876) before or immediately after your first scheduled class meeting. After your disability has been verified, your instructor will work with you, with Ms. Roybal, and with the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that you have a fair opportunity to perform in this course. Academic Honesty Cheating: Cheating on an examination, assignment, roll sheet or other course related work or activities undermines the ethics of the academy and the specific Christian purposes of Oklahoma Christian University. Accordingly, students who cheat on examinations, assignments or other course related work or activities will face serious consequences, as outlined in this policy. Plagiarism: One particular form of cheating is plagiarism. Plagiarism is the transmission of another’s ideas, words, or materials as one’s own and/or the failure to credit accurately the ideas, words, or materials of another. Plagiarism also includes passing off another’s work (a friend, a parent, a website) as one’s own. Plagiarism undermines the ethics of the academy and the specific Christian purposes of Oklahoma Christian University. Accordingly, students who engage in plagiarism in assignments submitted will face serious consequences, as outlined in this policy. Penalties for Academic Dishonesty On the first offense, the student will receive zero (0) credit for the examination or assignment. For forms of cheating or dishonesty other than on examinations or assignments, the Professor shall have the discretion to impose an appropriate penalty. Professors must send documentation of the first offense to the appropriate chair, the dean of the appropriate college, the VPAA, and the Dean of Students. On the second offense in the same course, the student will receive an F in the course. Professors must send documentation of the second offense to the appropriate chair, the dean of the appropriate college, the VPAA, and the Dean of Students. At either the first offense or second offense, the student may appeal using the process described in both the OC Student Handbook and the OC Academic Policy Manual covering Grade Appeals. If the student commits offenses in two or more courses, the Academic Appeals Committee, described in the OC Student Handbook and in the OC Academic Policy Manual, may assign penalties for academic dishonesty in addition to the penalties assigned by the professors in the courses. The Academic Appeals Committee may impose penalties up to and including suspension from the University in instances where a student has engaged in cheating or

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plagiarism in two or more courses. The Academic Appeals Committee will inform the VPAA and the Dean of Students in writing of any penalties imposed by it and will report annually on its activities to the University’s Academic Affairs Committee. Professors should maintain the highest standards of academic honesty both in and out of the classroom. Professors must report and apply the rules regarding cheating/plagiarism to the appropriate channels. The student should be referred to the Oklahoma Christian University Covenant for principles which should guide conduct in these matters. Anti-Harassment and Discrimination Policy (Title IX) Oklahoma Christian University is a Christian community that has committed itself, unequivocally, to ensuring a working and learning environment in which the dignity of every individual is respected and a campus environment that is free of unlawful harassment, which includes sexual assault or misconduct. OC’s Anti-Harassment and Discrimination Policy (see the OC Student Handbook) is compliant with Title IX, which states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Discriminatory and sexual harassment is unchristian and uncivil behavior. It is a breach of community, which expresses disrespect, exploits and undermines relationships based on trusts, and interferes with learning and productive work. Students are encouraged to immediately seek available assistance and report incidents of harassment to either the Title IX Coordinator or one of the Title IX Deputy Coordinators listed below: Title IX Coordinator Ms. Tamie Willis 405.425.5320 tamie.willis@oc.edu Title IX Deputy Coordinator Ms. Summer Lashley 405.425.5908 summer.lashley@oc.edu (Student Services) Title IX Deputy Coordinator Mr. John Ortiz 405.425.5932 john.ortiz@oc.edu (Housing) Title IX Deputy Coordinator Ms. Stephanie Findley 405.425.5355 stephanie.findley@oc.edu (Athletics) Students have access to confidential services through the Counseling Center and the Mercy Clinic. OC Counseling Center 405.424.5250 Mercy Clinic 405.425.6100 2810 E. Memorial Rd., Suite 140

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Copyright ©2015 by Oklahoma Christian University.

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FAITH STORY ASSIGNMENT

● This is a required paper. It is not graded but will counts 10% of your grade. ● A hard copy is due September 4 at class time. ● Email to lynn.mcmillon@oc.edu and to chris.rosser@oc.edu as an email (not as an

attachment). ● On the email subject line please type: 1214 FAITH Last Name, First Name

PAPER DESCRIPTION 1. Name and section number on the front page upper left corner. 2. Length: 2-4 pages 3. Margins: 1 inch (Check the page setup as default settings on margins may be

different) 4. Font: 12 point Arial 5. Spacing: Double spaced

ASSIGNMENT 1. Tell what faith means to you. 2. Tell of any spiritual heritage that you might have, e.g. the faith of your parents,

grandparents, etc. 3. Describe your early childhood experiences with faith and God. 4. Tell of your conversion (if applicable) or what God has done for you.

a. What your life was like before you became a Christian. b. How your life was different following your conversion.

5. Tell of significant events in your faith walk and their impact on you. 6. Tell how your relationship is going with God at this present time.

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SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY (See Blackboard for a more extensive list of resources)

Primary Texts Eusebius. Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church . Second Series. Vol. I. Schaff, Philip and Wace, Henry, eds. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1961. Heidel, Alexander. The Babylonian Genesis: The Story of Creation . Second edition. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1963. Nagy, Gregory. The Ancient Greek Hero in 24 Hours. Cambridge, MA: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2013. Pritchard, James B. ed. The Ancient Near East: An Anthology of Texts and Pictures. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1958. Sandars, N.K. The Epic of Gilgamesh . New York: Penguin Books, 1972. The Iliad. Trans. by Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin Books, 1998. The Odyssey. Trans. by Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin Books, 1996. The NIV Study Bible . Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Any edition 1985-2011. Secondary and Tertiary Texts Abusch, Tzvi. "The development and meaning of the Epic of Gilgamesh: An interpretive essay." Journal of The American Oriental Society 121, no. 4 (October 1, 2001): 614-622. Altes, Liesbeth Korthals. "Gilgamesh and the power of narration." Journal of the American Oriental Society 127, no. 2 (April 1, 2007): 183-193. Armstrong, Karen. A Short History of Myth . Toronto: Vintage Canada, 2006. Dickson, Keith M. "Looking at the other in Gilgamesh." Journal of the American Oriental Society 127, no. 2 (April 1, 2007): 171-182. Frye, Northrop, and Jay Macpherson. Biblical and Classical Myths: The Mythological Framework of Western Culture . Toronto: Univ. of Toronto, 2004. Gagarin, Michael. The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece and Rome . Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press, 2010. Marinatos, Nanno. "The cosmic journey of Odysseus." Numen 48, no. 4 (January 1, 2001): 381-416. Ryken, Leland, and Tremper Longman. A Complete Literary Guide to the Bible . Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994. Taylor, John. Classics and the Bible: Hospitality and Recognition . London: Duckworth, 2007. Zakovitch, Yair, Avigdor Shinʼan, and Valerie Zakovitch. From Gods to God How the Bible Debunked, Suppressed, or Changed Ancient Myths and Legends. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2012.

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