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REL 420 Old Testament in Religious Education

Winter 2019-2020

Course Outline

Class Start Date & End Date January 17 to April 3, 2020.

Class Meeting Time, Location, and Room St. Francis Room All sessions to take place on NTC Campus on the following dates [8.30-11.20 and 1.00-4.05]:

Friday 17 January [class will start at 9.00 am] Friday 31 January Friday 14 February Friday 6 March Friday 13 March Friday 3 April

Course Description “The Old Testament as a source for Religious Education. The formation and transmission of the Old Testament. A survey of the foundations and history of Israel’s faith, life and worship as witnessed to in the Pentateuch, Historical, Prophetic, Sapiential and Apocalyptic Literature of the Old Testament”

Course Objectives MRE Program Goals

a) Theological Instruction - The program shall offer students instruction in the major areas of Catholic theology.

b) Religious Education Instruction - The program shall offer instruction in the discipline of Religious education.

c) Cultural Context - The program shall foster a capacity to discern and engage the cultural context as it impacts Catholic education.

d) Personal and Spiritual Formation - The program shall offer students with opportunities to grow in their spiritual life and in their vocation as Catholic educators and witnesses to the Gospel.

Instructors Name: Stéphane Saulnier Office: 2-05 Office Hours: By appointment Telephone: 780 392 2450 ext. 2210 Email: stephane.saulnier@newman.edu

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e) Integrating Theory and Praxis - The program shall offer integration of theological knowledge and religious education formation in the professional work of Catholic education.

This graduate level course’s primary aim is to introduce students to the Old Testament. During the course students will:

Examine the background of the OT: biblical inspiration, transmission of texts, translations, canonicity and hermeneutics.

Provide the geographical, cultural and historical contexts from which the OT texts emerged.

Identify and explore some key theological themes of the Old Testament.

Examine sample texts under the following categories: author(s), structure, literary genre, exegesis, theological meaning and significance for contemporary biblical scholarship and faith. Integration in the context of Religious Education.

Academic learning outcomes The academic outcomes pertain primarily to #a listed under ‘Outcomes’ for the Master of Religious Education Program, which states: ‘Have a familiarity with the major areas of Catholic Theology’, in this particular case, in Catholic Biblical theology. Cognate areas of Systematic theology, Moral theology and Sacramental/Liturgical theology will be identified and illustrated as occasions arise. By the end of the course students will demonstrate:

A solid acquaintance with the material and some of the methods pertaining to their interpretation in a Catholic educational context.

An understanding of the historical, theological and ethical issues raised in these canonical books.

An ability to engage with textual, historical and theological issues raised by the material.

A deepening of their ability to communicate in an effective manner, both orally and in writing, the result of their research and enquiries.

An ability to use the skills developed to apply their knowledge and understanding of these ancient texts to the Church today in the context of Religious Education.

Human and spiritual learning outcomes By the end of the course each student will be equipped to identify areas and articulate ways in which the course has contributed to their overall human and spiritual development, possibly including and likely not limited to the following:

A contemplative, spiritual, liturgical formation that will gain an additional dimension resulting from a greater acquaintance with the Old Testament, especially as encountered through Lectio Divina.

A greater awareness of their human maturing in light of their self-immersion in the text of Scripture.

An ability to identify ways in which the course has contributed to equip them to embrace the pastoral role that will be theirs as educators and as lay people.

An ability to identify ways in which the course content has nurtured a self-awareness of their role in the social and pastoral aspects of their place of work.

This course is a CORE requirement on the MRE Program.

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Course Assignments and Evaluation Material submitted for assignment in this course will consist of one seminar paper (ten pages; 40% of final grade), one Thematic Study (ten pages; 40% of final grade); and a final written exam (20% of final grade). For the seminar paper and the thematic study a variation of +/- 10% is tolerated, so you may submit as little as nine pages or as much as eleven pages per assignment. Half a letter grade will be deducted for submitted written assignments that are under or over this variation.1 As a rule of thumb, direct quotes from primary and secondary sources should amount to a maximum of 10% of the total word count (so 250 words max for a paper of 2500 words). LIST OF ASSIGNMENTS:

Seminar paper (ten pages - 40 % of final grade – due tbd – submit a hard copy at start of

class):

In this paper you will consider the development/refinement of the catholic preferred

method of interpretation of sacred scripture between the second Vatican Council and our

own day.

Topic: Based on your reading of the Scripture Documents, expound on your understanding

of the Roman Catholic church’s approach to the interpretation of Sacred Scripture

(especially the Old Testament), and its significance for your ministry as a teacher. Your

answer should develop a dual approach: diachronic and synchronic:

Diachronic: in paying attention to the process of refinement of method/approach,

identifiable in the Church documents listed below. Major documents to consider

during this period are:

o Dei Verbum (Second Vatican Council - 1965)2

o On the Interpretation of the Bible in the Church (1993)3

o The Jewish Scripture and their Sacred Scriptures in the Christian Bible

(2003)4

o Verbum Domini (Pope Benedict XVI – 2010)

o The Inspiration and Truth of Sacred Scripture (2015)

Synchronic: having arrived at a working definition of what the church might mean

today by ‘interpreting scripture with the mind of the Church’, consider the

significance of these insights for your vocation as a teacher. Illustrate your answer

with particular reference to one major narrative selected from the Pentateuch.

______________________________________________________________________________

1 The Cover page and bibliography are not included in the page count. 2 Available on Vatican website. 3 A PDF will be circulated. Contact me if you would like to receive it before the start of the course. 4 Full text http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/pcb_documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20020212_popolo-ebraico_en.html

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Thematic Study (ten pages - 40 % of final grade – due tbd – submit a hard copy at start of

class):

In this paper you will explore one theme from the OT and you will consider its

contemporary application in your educational context.

Topic: With particular reference to two passages from scripture - which you may select

from any of the three major parts of the OT (Pentateuch; Prophets; Psalms and Wisdom

literature) – explore (1200 words) either the theme of Divine Mercy or the theme of

Covenantal Love - as revealed in the Old Testament. Then, consider the application of this

particular theme in your educational context (800 words).

______________________________________________________________________________

Final written exam – (20% of final grade - April 03, 1.00 – 3.00 pm):

Topics will be circulated in class on Mach 13.

Referencing biblical passages in your papers: all biblical references should be given in the body of the text (i.e. not in footnotes), following the convention:

Entire chapter or series of chapters: Genesis 12; Genesis 1 – 11 (refers to chapters 1 to 11 of the book of Genesis)

A particular passage: Gn 12:1-5 (refers to verses 1 to 5 of Genesis 12); Gen 15:2-7, 9, 13-25 (refers to verses 2 to 7, 9 and 13 to 25 of chapter 15 of Genesis)

Referencing Church documents in your papers: all references to church documents should be given in parentheses in the body of the text (not in footnotes): full title for first occurrence of reference; abbreviated title for any subsequent references. See examples below:

First occurrence of reference: (Dei Verbum #2) Subsequent occurrence of reference: (DV #2)

Final grade:

Seminar paper (30%) + Thematic Study (30%) + Final exam (40%)

Textbooks ALL AVAILABLE FROM NTC BOOKSTORE J. Bergsma and B. Pitre, A Catholic Introduction to the Bible: the Old Testament (Ignatius Press: 2018) Pope Benedict XVI, Verbum Domini (Libreria Editrice Vaticana: 2010) Pontifical Biblical Commission, The Inspiration and Truth of Sacred Scripture (Liturgical Press: 2015)

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Recommended Reading Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii gaudium on the Proclamation of the Gospel in today’s world (2013).5 Pope Francis, Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’ On Care for Our Common Home (2015).6 Pontifical Biblical Commission, The Bible and Morality – Biblical Roots of Christian Conduct (2008).7 Pontifical Biblical Commission, The Inspiration and Truth of Sacred Scripture (2015) International Theological Commission, Theology Today: Perspectives, Principles and Criteria (2011).8

Course Requirements The following are required:

Attendance and participation to ALL sessions. College policy as expounded in the 2019-2020 Student Handbook and in the NTC 2019-2020 Academic Calendar will be implemented.

Class Preparation: this will take the form of a reasonable amount of reading to do in preparation for the next session.

Timely submission of all required written assignments. Please see Late Submission Policy below.

Exceptionally this Winter 2020: extra credits may be obtained in this course by fulfilling the following optional requirement:

“Any student who attends the Newman Conference this spring (Friday and Saturday, March 20-21, 2019, at NTC and the Diocesan Pastoral Offices) is eligible to a submit a 2-3 page reflection on the event, worth up to 3% of a course’s total grade, applicable to any one course taken at NTC this term. Since this is a two-day event, “attendance” minimally means participating in either all day Friday or all day Saturday. (For off campus students: at least some of the talks will be available through the web shortly after the event.) Students who wish to have their assignment applied to a course must submit their reflection to their NTC professor the next week after the event, by March 27, 5pm. Reflections will be graded on a pass/fail basis. Professors will then forward the names of students who applied for this bonus to the Dean’s Office so that a common record can be kept.”

Late Submission Policy. Late submissions are accepted for a ‘fee’, so there is no need to ask for extensions. The ‘fee’ associated with late submission is calculated as follows: 10% of the grade given to the paper is deducted per any part and/or full 24-hourday period, up to a maximum of three days. Past this delay, submitted assignments that are deemed ‘adequate’ will be graded 60%; while other assignments will be graded 40%. Non-submitted assignments will be graded ‘zero’. No assignments will be accepted beyond the last day of class (April 3). From time to time unforeseen circumstances and/or events occur that prevent students from submitting an assignment in a timely manner. In such cases and upon submission of supporting

5 Access full text at: http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html 6 Access full text at: http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html 7 Access full text at: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/pcb_documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20080511_bibbia-e-morale_en.html 8 Access full text at: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/cti_documents/rc_cti_doc_20111129_teologia-oggi_en.html

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evidence (e.g. medical note) the above policy will be waived. In any case, please communicate with the instructor if you foresee any difficulty.

Course Schedule Friday 17 January Introduction to the Old Testament Morning session: OT timeline; OT background; OT context (political, social; religious;

philosophical); Old Testament text(s) (composition; transmission; translations); OT Canon in Salvation History.

Afternoon session: The Old Testament in Religious Education – identifying key issues _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Friday 31 January The age of Covenants Morning session: From Adam to Joseph: Primordial history (Genesis 1-11); The Patriarchs

(Genesis 12-50); Afternoon session: ‘My Servant Moses’: Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Friday 14 February The age of the Kingdom Morning session: From Joshua’s conquest to the Babylonian Exile – the Deuteronomist at work Afternoon session: The two kingdoms – Destruction – Exile – theological assessment of the

Chronicler The second century BC – the Maccabees.

________________________________________________________________________________________________ Friday 06 March The age of Prophecy: Biblical prophecy and biblical prophets Morning session: Pre-classical and classical prophets - the death of Israel Afternoon session: The exile and the returns – the resurrection of Israel - the New Covenant _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Friday 13 March The age of Wisdom Morning session: The fear of the Lord is the root of all wisdom Afternoon session: Wisdom embodied; Wisdom personified _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Friday 03 April The Old Testament and Religious education Morning session: Course conclusions Afternoon session: Final examination

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General Academic Information

Course Attendance

No credit will be given for a course if the student has been absent, for any reason whatever, from one-third or more of the lectures and/or seminars scheduled for the term. Likewise, no credit will be given if term assignments or other assignments are or remain incomplete.

Leave of Absence and Policy for Incompletes

Extensions to an incomplete grade may be granted in extenuating circumstances, but may not exceed 16 weeks following the end of the course. Students who fail to complete course work by the agreed deadline will have a grade assigned which is based on work completed.

Academic Integrity

Acts of academic dishonesty (plagiarism, cheating, etc.) are subject to an appropriate penalty. The grade “F” may be assigned to a student guilty of such acts by the professor of the course in which the infraction occurred. A second offense against academic integrity renders the student liable to automatic dismissal from NTC. Further details are available in the Student Handbook in the Academic Misconduct Policy.

Academic Grievances

Students may appeal grades received; the procedure is outlined in the Student Handbook in the Grade Appeal Policy. For other grievances, students will refer to the Student Grievances Policy also outlined in the Student Handbook.

NOTE: The GPA is computed on the basis of cumulative grade point (letter) values, not percentage values. All courses are included in this calculation except those exceeding degree requirements and/or received as transfer credits from other recognized institutions.

Grading System

Undergraduate Studies C.Th., Dip.Th., B.Th.

Graduate Studies M.T.S., M.Div., M.Th., G.C.C.S.A., M.R.E.

Grade Meaning

Grade Grade Point

Grade Meaning

Grade Grade Point

Excellent A+ A A-

4.0 4.0 3.7

Excellent A+ A A-

4.0 4.0 3.7

Good B+ B B-

3.3 3.0 2.7

Good B+ B B-

3.3 3.0 2.7

Adequate C+ C C-

2.3 2.0 1.7

Adequate C+ C C-

2.3 2.0 1.7

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Marginal D+ D

1.3 1.0

Fail F 0.0 Fail D+ D F

1.3 1.0 0.0

Written Assignments - Style and Format

Newman Theological College requires that all written work be submitted in acceptable academic format and style. Please note the following regulations:

Regulations Research papers, book reports, article summaries, reflection papers, and essays should be double-spaced, printed on one side only, and submitted on white, 8.5” x 11” paper. A standard type style, such as Times New Roman, with a 12-point font size, must be used. The instructor will specify the most recent edition of the style manual to be used:

Kate Turabian, “A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations” (Chicago: University of Chicago Press).

Joseph Gibaldi & William Achters, eds., “MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers” (New York: Modern Language Association of America).

American Psychological Association “Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association” (Washington: APA Publications).

Copies of these standard references may be purchased in the NTC bookstore. Ignorance of standard form is not considered an acceptable excuse for deviation from required standards of format and style.

Academic Regulations

The following Academic Regulations are located in the Academic Calendar for your reference: Changes in Registration: Add/Drop/Withdraw Notice Course Work Final Examination Schedule Incomplete Grade Policy Inclusive Language

Related Academic Matters

The following Related Academic Matters are located in the Academic Calendar for your reference: Grade Reports & Posting Glossary of Academic Terms

Other Related Policies

The following policies are located in the Student Handbook for your reference: Academic Misconduct Policy

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Grade Appeal Policy

Recording of Lectures

Audio or video recording of lectures, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior consent of the instructor. Recorded material is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the content author(s).

Student Accessibility Services:

If you have special needs that could affect your performance in this class, please let me know during the first week of the term so that appropriate arrangements can be made. If you are not already registered with Student Services, contact Doreen Bloos at 780-392-2450 ext. 2212; Email doreen.bloos@newman.edu .

Bibliography (May be distributed in class.)