RL 205 Learning Tracks
Introduction to the Greek (New) Testament
Revised & Updated: 13 April 2009

This course can be pursued like a typical course dealing with the Greek Bible as a canonical text in the Christian tradition—i.e., as a religious resource with doctrinal, ethical, and spiritual value—or tailored to emphasize one particular theme or medium for appreciating its contemporary significance. See the Course Syllabus for the basic course objectives. See here for how the individual course assignments are designed to achieve them. See below for the objectives specific to each course track.

TRACK ABASIC MODEL: "I Just Want to Know What It Says"
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TRACK B: GNT & Social Justice

(printer-friendly version of weekly praxis)
(printer-friendly version of immersion praxis)
TRACK C: GNT & Christian Spirituality
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OBJECTIVES:
OBJECTIVES:
OBJECTIVES:
  1. Application: Show how to do a synoptic analysis of a NT passage.
  2. Analysis: Explain what it tells us about the historical record of Jesus' words/deeds.
  3. Synthesis: Create a Storyboard for a "Life of Jesus" game illustrating what other alternatives scenarios Jesus might have experienced or what other life choices he might have made, given his historico-cultural context.
  1. Application: Identify key NT attitudes, examples, and teachings with respect to social justice.
  2. Analysis: Identify one critique the NT provokes concerning contemporary U.S./Ohio/Cleveland social structures.
  3. Synthesis: Integrate the understanding of the gospel with the actual praxis of it in addressing a specific, concrete, contemporary social problem.
  4. Action: Exemplify how the gospel energizes believers to concrete action to foster social justice (e.g., the traditional "works of mercy," political action).
  1. Application: Identify key NT resources for contemporary Christian spirituality.
  2. Analysis: Identify one critique the NT raises concerning contemporary American attitudes toward “spirituality.
  3. Synthesis: Integrate the understanding of the gospel with the actual praxis of it in a daily life in imitatio Christi.
  4. Action: Exemplify how the NT energizes the Christian faith-life through study, prayer, and praxis.
STRUCTURE:  Individual & partner work (about 50%/50%)
STRUCTURE:  Group project
STRUCTURE:  Individual project; some optional group work

1–2 persons per group

2–4 persons per group

1–4 persons per group
ASSIGNMENTS:
ASSIGNMENTS:
ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. "Bible Bio"
  2. "Images of Jesus"
  3. Learning Contract
  4. Blackboard Pre- & Post-testsPretests
  5. "Mark on War" or "Apocalypse" or "Slavery" or "Women Apostles" CHP or Infancy Narrative Review
  6. "JC Movie Star" Film Critique or Infancy Narrative Review
  7. Gospel Synopsis (done with partner)
  8. Vocation Essay
  9. Storyboard Gospel Commercial (done with partner)
  10. Learning Contract Review
  1. "Bible Bio"
  2. "Images of Jesus"
  3. Learning Contract
  4. Blackboard Pre- & Post-testsPretests
  5. "Slavery" or "Women Apostles" CHP (in pairs; half of group does one, half does the other)
  6. Soteria Essay
  7. Vocation Essay
  8. GNT Social-Justice Praxis Portfolio
  9. Learning Contract Review
  1. "Bible Bio"
  2. "Images of Jesus"
  3. Learning Contract
  4. Blackboard Pre- & Post-tests
  5. CHP on "The Anointing at Bethany" or "Corinthian Women Prophets" Infancy Narrative Review
  6. "JC Movie Star" Film Critique or Infancy Narrative Review
  7. Vocation Essay
  8. GNT Spirituality Praxis Portfolio
  9. Learning Contract Review

The student who wishes to develop a custom track is welcome to generate a proposal and discuss it with the instructor. The final deadline for the choice of Learning Track is the end of the second week of class. Click here for an MSWord doc of The Learning Contract that you can download, complete, & return to the Instructor.