Course Requirements:
It is assumed that students working at this level will do their work with particular care, and bring their own critical observations and questions into the class discussion for the benefit of all. This will not be primarily a lecture course (though there will be some of that too), but a seminar in which all of us will learn from one another.
For the successful completion of this course, the students will:
| 1. Come to class prepared
(i.e., having carefully completed the assignments) and actively participate
in the discussion of the texts and the issues that they raise.
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| 2. Translate selected weekly
portions of Romans, and be able to discuss the Greek grammar and its
implications for interpretation.
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| 3. Adopt one of the "Reserve"
commentaries, and read through its discussion of each week's text. At times,
particular questions regarding the upcoming text may be emailed to the
class, asking that you look especially at how "your" commentary dealt with
the issue. For the final class session, you will write a 2-4 page review of
this commentary, describing the major aspects of its approach to Romans, and
its usefulness for preaching and teaching. These reviews will be summarized
orally for the class, and the written reviews copied and distributed.
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| 4. Complete an in-depth
exegesis of a text from Romans. This exegetical work will proceed in 3
stages: A. A beginning bibliography (including at least 3 of the commentaries on the "Reserve" list, 3 other books important for this study, and 3 scholarly journal articles) must be turned in by Feb 20. B. The student is expected to take particular responsibility for raising issues and awareness of alternative interpretations when we reach their chosen text in the syllabus. The students will present a 15-20 minute summary of their preliminary findings to begin the discussion of the text., paying particular attention to where that work may confirm or challenge the readings in Bryan and Wright. Those whose texts appear early in Romans will have less time to prepare; "to whom more is given, more will be required" (to paraphrase Lk 12:48). It is expected that the class’s discussion and interaction with the "presenting" student will help clarify and strengthen the exegetical presentation in the final paper. For this class presentation, you may work from notecards or a manuscript. You may, but need not, use PowerPoint or other electronic displays, as well as printed material for the rest of the class. PLEASE rehearse this presentation, so that you are sure that you stay within the time limit. C. Each student will write a final exegetical paper (20-25 pages, excluding endnotes / footnotes and bibliography, double-spaced, 12-point font) dealing with one of the listed texts. This paper must follow the online guidelines for exegesis. The paper will conclude with a brief homily or devotion (1-2 pages) that grows from your exegesis, addressed to a specific audience identified at that point in your paper. The paper must include a bibliography and appropriate footnotes or endnotes. You will find an example of such a paper online through the "Pauline Studies" course webpage. Please view this material online, and follow the links from the exegetical instructions to an example of the kind of information that particular task may uncover, and then to the incorporation of that material in the sample paper. (NOTE CAREFULLY: It is not simply the sample paper, but the process which is also of vital importance here - follow the links, and examine this material carefully!). If there are particular hermeneutical, historical, or theological issues concerning Romans that you would like to explore which are not tied to one particular text, it is possible to tailor the final paper accordingly. If you would like to pursue this option rather than choosing a particular text for an exegetical study, please consult with Dr. Peterson before the final texts are chosen. |