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The course ENGL 1305 A is currently full.

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About ENGL 1305 A

An introduction to the historical study of religion and its relation to written texts through an examination of the creation of biblical and related writings of ancient Israel, Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and the early Christian movement. Representative topics: What is the Bible; Literary and Historical Perspectives on the Bible. May repeat for credit with different content. Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years. Cross-listed with: REL 1250.

Notes

Open to degree and PACE Students Crosslisted with REL 1250 Combined Enrollment: 60

Section Description

What is “the bible” and why does there seem to be countless “bibles”? What’s at stake in those distinctions and how do readers decide what is and isn’t “biblical?” This course takes a literary, media, and anthropological approach to bible(s) to explore the broader category of scriptures and how they work. The course begins with close readings of Protestant editions of the English Bible, the broader historical contexts for the accounts contained therein, and the cultural discourse on what views and politics these scriptures signify and authorize in our current moment. The course will also explore the idea of “the bible” alongside bible-adjacent media (from children’s books to film) which build readers’ perceptions of a singular “bible”; various ways it has been interpreted across different moments in history; and the numerous scriptures that American Protestant Bibles birthed like the Joseph Smith’s Book of Mormon, Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s Woman’s Bible, Thomas Jefferson’s Bible, and Mary Baker Eddy’s Science and Health: A Key to the Scriptures.

Section Expectation

Students are expected to attend regularly. Class sessions expound on the themes from the readings by drawing connections to contemporary examples, provide some historical context for the figures and events in the texts, and prepare students for any upcoming class deliverables.

Evaluation

It will be based on class participation; quality of weekly discussion posts; performance on scripture midterm; and a final paper.

Important Dates

Note: These dates may not be accurate for select courses during the Summer Session.

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Deadlines
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Last Day to Withdraw with 25% Refund
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The maximum enrollment for ENGL 1305 A has been reached.

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