The Writings of St. Paul
Spring 2009, RL 408.1 CS, S, W
Tuesdays 6:30-9:15 P.M.
AD230
12 January 2009

Instructor: SHEILA E. McGINN, Ph.D. Professor of Biblical Studies & Early Christianity Office: AD Building, RL Suite, B250e; Tel. 216-397-3087
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is an introduction to the person and message of Paul of Tarsus and the communities of Christ-believers that he founded or influenced. As the earliest extant documents from the Jesus-movement, the writings of Paul of Tarsus have tremendous significance for the development of the early churches and of the New Testament message. This seminar introduces students to the scholarly analysis of these letters of Paul, paying special attention to his theological perspectives in regard to Christ, salvation, the community of disciples, church leadership (female and male), and the eschaton. The course will also survey the legacy of Paul as interpreted by the Deutero-Pauline writers, the Pastoral Epistles, and the legend traditions.      Reading and discussion of key studies that dominate the current debate on Paul and Paulinism will focus around such themes as apocalypticism, authenticity and pseudonymity, epistolography, literary and rhetorical criticism, sociology of sectarian movements, feminist hermeneutics, canonicity and the authority of scripture,and development of doctrine. The readings will be coordinated with lecture and discussion sessions where various exegetical methods will be applied to the interpretation of the Pauline corpus, with selected Pauline texts providing "case studies" for discussion.
CS, S, W	This seminar is an "International" (S) and "Writing Intensive" (W) coursein the undergraduate Core Curriculum, in addition to being part of the Catholic Studies curriculum. Follow the links to the left for further details.
academic integrity		expectations	resources for this class
assignments		format	resources on Paul
assumptions & pre-requisites		grading	services for students with disabilities
Catholic Studies information		instructor information	writing resources
course description		notes for graduate students	If you'd like to hear about a summer travel seminar on the Cities of St. Paul, see Dr. McGinn for details
course objectives		notes for undergraduates
course schedule		readings

OBJECTIVES

1. Summarize the current phase of discussion of a wide range of exegetical methods and issues pertaining to the analysis of the canonical literature.
2. Evaluate the relevance of these critical perspectives to interpretation of the Pauline corpus.
3. Combine one of the perspectives/methods studied in the seminar with interpretation of a single Pauline text (chosen in consultation with the instructor).
4. Utilize the standard bibliographical and reference tools for biblical study.
5. Produce a critical Biblical research paper characterized by appropriate format, rigorous argumentation of the thesis, and thorough documentation of sources.

CLASS FORMAT

REQUIRED READINGS

• The Bible Yes, it is true, we actually will read Paul's letters and other pertinent Biblical materials. The best available English editions are: The New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha (NRSV), the Oxford Study Bible (REB), and the Catholic Study Bible (NAB).
• Meeks, Wayne. The First Urban Christians. New Haven/London: Yale University Press, 1983. ISBN 0-300-02876-8.
• McGinn, Sheila E., ed. Celebrating Romans: Template for Pauline Theology. Essays in Honor of Robert Jewett. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 2004. ISBN 0-8028-2839-6.
• Selected commentaries pertaining to your research project.

RECOMMENDED READINGS

• Elliott, Neil. Liberating Paul: The Justice of God and the Politics of the Apostle. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1994. ISBN 0-88344-981-1.
• Meeks, Wayne, ed.The Writings of St. Paul. Norton Critical Editions. New York/London: Norton, 1972. ISBN 0-393-04338-X.
• Murphy-O'Connor, Jerome. Paul: A Critical Life. Oxford: Clarendon Press; New York: Oxford University Press, 1996. ISBN 0-19-826749-5.

WRITING RESOURCES

• Alexander, Patrick H., David L. Petersen, et al., eds. The SBL Handbook of Style: For Ancient Near Eastern, Biblical, and Early Christian Studies. Peabody, Mass: Hendrickson, 1999. ISBN 156563487-X.
• Dr. McGinn's writing web

EXPECTATIONS
Follow the links for details on each topic. NB: You are responsible for knowing the contents of each of these linked documents.

• ACADEMIC INTEGRITY is imperative. Minimum penalty for violation is a failing grade for the course.
• ATTENDANCE is assumed.
• TIMELINESS is treasured.

ASSIGNMENTS

• An exegetical research project OR a study of one of the sites connected with the Pauline mission (various "installments" will be required; for length see undergraduate notes or graduate notes respectively)
• One or more critical review(s) of materials pertaining to your research project (see undergraduate notes or graduate notes respectively)
• An original epistle

CONSULTATION

This site designed and maintained by Sheila E. McGinn, Ph.D. Professor of Religious Studies Return to Dr. McGinn's home page

You are visitor since this page was re-issued 22 January 2007 Return to JCU Religious Studies home page