Jesus of Nazareth in Film & History
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last update: 28 June 2006

SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS & ASSIGNMENTS: The readings under discussion in a given class period should be completed before that session. The following class schedule may be revised upon consultation with the class and as circumstances demand.

pleaseNB this "key" to understanding the following schedule of assignments. REVIEW means skim through the material so you know what resources are available when you need them. READ means give careful and critical attention to this material, taking notes and noting points with which you disagree or about which you have questions. REC indicates an optional, recommended reading. VIEW means watch this film and take notes for class discussion. WRITE means this is a written assignment that will be submitted for grading; unlike the other assignments, it will be due the class following the one where it first appears. DUE means the assignment must be submitted for grading during this class session.

CLS#/DATE KEY TOPICS & HIGHLIGHTS ASSIGNMENTS DUE for THIS class session
1 M 6/26
  • Course Goals, Resources, & Learning Strategies
  • NT Jeopardy Game
  • The History of "the Historical Jesus"
    • The First Quest for the Historical Jesus: From Reimarus to Wrede
    • The Second Quest: From Schweitzer to Bultmann
    • The Third Quest: From Bultmann to Today
    • Current Historical Jesus Research: Topics & Approaches
      • Dominic Crossan's talk for "Jesus at 2000" (35–1.14)
2 W 6/28
  • Early Christian Historical & Cultural Contexts
    • Honor and Shame: Key Mediterranean Values
    • Law & Social Structures
      • "King of Kings," Scene 16, de adultera (54.48–59.46); Scene 41, Jesus' Trial before Pilate (2.16:17–2.20:53)
    • Palestine in the Hellenistic Era to the Roman Era
      • "King of Kings," Scenes 3–4 (6:12–12:56), 7–8 (20:50–28:32)
      • BAS slides
      • "Jesus of Nazareth" (Appendix of "Historical Information")
    • Jews and Judaisms in I CE Palestine
  • The Apocalyptic Context of I CE Judaism
    • "The Greatest Story Ever Told," Scenes 5b–6 (19:07–31:50)
  • The Gospel and our Gospels: Synoptic Theories
  • The Markan Jesus
  • REVIEW: the Jerusalem Mosaic (2nd Temple & Roman Eras); Apocalypticism in I CE Judaism; Infancy Narrative Discussion Questions (prepare responses for discussion in next class)
  • READ: Mark 4; 13; 7:24–30; 12:18–27 & //; John 8:1–11; Matt 19–25; Luke 15–18; 1 Cor 15; 1 Thess 4–5
  • READ: Crossan, Jesus, 1–53
  • READ: Tatum, Jesus at the Movies, 20–101
  • REC: Crossan & Reed, Excavating Jesus, 89–223
  • REC: Crossan, Historical Jesus, 1–88
  • REC: Funk, The Five Gospels 263, 470, 474, 500
  • VIEW: "King of Kings"
  • VIEW: "The Greatest Story Ever Told"
  • WRITE: Creative History Paper #1 OR Film critique on "Jesus of Montréal" (or alternate course film) for next session
  • In-class workshop: Doing critical film reviews (practice on excerpts from "The Robe" [Palestine scene], "Barabbas" [first 20 min.], and "Ben Hur" [Scenes 57–61, Side 2, 1.02:30–1.20.45])
3 Th 6/29
  • The Film Jesus & The Theological Jesus
    • "Godspell," Scenes 1–4a (0:00–11:24)
    • "Jesus Christ Superstar," Scenes 5–6 ("Hosanna," "Simon Zealotes" [26:03–35:37]), 19 ("Could We Start Again Please?" [1.19:31–1.23:15])
  • The Case of the Infancy Narratives
    • "Ben Hur," Scene 2 (6.32–11:40)
    • "King of Kings," Scenes 5–7 (12:55–20:50)
    • "The Greatest Story Ever Told," Scenes 2–5a (4:48–19:07)
    • "Jesus of Nazareth," Scenes 1–5, 9, 11 (0:00–13:05, 21:48–25:50, 27:17–30:34)
    • "Monty Python's Life of Brian" (0:00–4:12)
  • READ: Exodus 1–2; Matthew 1–3; Luke 1–2, 3:23–38
  • READ: Stern, et al., Savior on the Silver Screen, 1–94, 231–263
  • READ: Tatum, Jesus at the Movies, 116–133
  • REC: Crossan & Reed, Excavating Jesus, 49–88
  • REC: Crossan, The Historical Jesus, 103–224
  • REC: Funk, The Five Gospels, 76f, 419
  • VIEW: "Godspell"
  • VIEW: "Jesus Christ Superstar"
  • VIEW: "Jesus of Nazareth," Part One
  • DUE: Creative History Paper #1 (follow this link for description) OR Film critique on your choice of films
4 M 7/03 Course Project work day

Old Glory Fourth of July holidayfireworks
5 W 7/05
  • The Politics of Compassion: Jesus Inaugurates God's Basileia
    • "Godspell," Scene 4 (10:39–22:30)
    • "The Gospel According to Matthew," Scene 
    • "Jesus of Montréal," Scene
  • "Blessed are the Poor . . .": Jesus' Open Table
    • "The Last Temptation," Scene
    • "Monty Python's Life of Brian," Scene
  • Jesus and God's Basileia: Divine Rule vs. Human Kingship
    • "King of Kings," Scene 27 (1.25:09–1.35:06)
    • "Jesus of Nazareth" (Scene __)
  • READ: Matthew (entire); Luke (entire); John 6
  • READ: Crossan, Jesus, 54–122
  • READ: Stern, et al., Savior on the Silver Screen, 95–160, 297–333
  • READ: Tatum, Jesus at the Movies, 102–115, 134–159
  • REC: Crossan & Reed, Excavating Jesus, 224–324
  • REC: Crossan, The Historical Jesus, 225–353
  • REC: Funk, The Five Gospels 48, 103, 295, 309, 136f
  • VIEW: "The Gospel According to Matthew"
  • VIEW: "Jesus of Nazareth," Part Two
6 Th 7/06
  • Jesus the Jew
    • "Godspell," Scenes 13–14a (1.17:51–1.30:09)
    • "Jesus of Nazareth," Scene
    • slides of Jesus
7 M 7/10
  • The Trial and Death of Jesus
    • the Alexamenos graffito, first representation of the crucifixion
    • McGinn "Passion" lecture (slides 1–12)
    • "The Greatest Story Ever Told," Scene 32a (3.10:58–3.11:55)
    • "Jesus of Montréal," Scene
    • "Jesus of Nazareth," Scene
    • "The Last Temptation," Scene
    • "Monty Python's Life of Brian," Scene
  • READ: Mark 14–16 & parallels; Luke 1
  • READ: Crossan, Jesus, 123–158
  • READ: Stern, et al., Savior on the Silver Screen, 265–295
  • READ: Tatum, Jesus at the Movies, 160–189
  • REC: Crossan, The Historical Jesus, 354–394
  • VIEW: "Jesus of Nazareth," Part Three
  • VIEW: "Jesus of Montréal"
  • VIEW: "The Last Temptation of Christ"
  • DUE: Creative History Paper #2 OR Film critique
8 W 7/12
  • The Resurrection Proclamation
    • "King of Kings," Scene 50–51 (2.44:30–2.48:40)
    • "The Greatest Story Ever Told," Scene 32 (3.10:58–3.16:16)
    • "Godspell," Scene 15b–16 (1.35.50–1.41:40)
    • "Jesus Christ Superstar," Scene 22 ("Superstar" [1.35:01–1.39.07])
    • "Jesus of Montréal," Scene
  • Jesus and Christ, History and Faith

Final Course Evaluation
  • READ: 2 Cor 4:5–12
  • READ: Catechism of the Catholic Church, #422–682 (Part One, Section Two, Chpt. 2). NB: you must follow the links manually, through the table of contents pages, to get to the proper section of this site.
  • READ: Crossan, Jesus, 159–201
  • READ: Neuner & Dupuis, The Christian Faith, chpt. 6 (Grasselli reserve)
  • REC: Crossan, The Historical Jesus, 395–426
  • REC: Funk, The Five Gospels 419; Mk 16 and //
  • REC: Van Beeck article (Grasselli reserve)

9 Th 7/13

Last Class
  • DUE: Final project
    & Class Presentations
  • VIEW: "Monty Python's Life of Brian"

If you have any questions about any of the items on this Schedule, ask ASAP to prevent getting behind in the course work.

This site designed and maintained by
Sheila E. McGinn, Ph.D.
Professor of Religious Studies
Copyright © 2000–2006 Sheila E. McGinn

 

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