Summer 1999 Course:
Paul and His Writings (RL 408)

Summer II, June 1 & 9-18,
done via cruise ship
on site in Greece and Turkey


Frequently Asked Questions:
revised 1 June 1999

  1. Where does this cruise go?  Sites for the "Footsteps of St. Paul" cruise include Athens (Piraeus), Corinth, Santorini, Crete, Rhodes, Patmos, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Istanbul, Nicea, Nicomedia.
  2. I've heard of Greece, but what is so great about Turkey anyway?  That takes too long to answer!  Click here.
  3. Who can take this class?  As a 400-level class, undergraduates, majors and graduate students all are able to take it for credit.  The only pre-requisite is the RL 101, although it will not hurt to have studied the New Testament beforehand.  There will be additional background reading for the graduate students, as well as a longer final paper.
  4. Is it possible to take the course on a continuing education basis?  Absolutely.  Contact the Office of Continuing Education for details, or email them your registration.
  5. What will the course format be?  There will be three primary components of the course:
    1.  A preliminary organizational and orientation meeting before we leave for the cruise.  This will take place on Tuesday, June 1, from 5:30-8:00 pm at 14427 Washington Blvd, University Heights, Oh.
    2. There will be several lectures and discussions during the cruise itself, some from me (Dr. McGinn) and some from other distinguished scholars of early Christianity.  Some lectures will be given at specific archaeological sites -- like Athens, Crete, Rhodes, Patmos, and Istanbul -- and others will be given on board the ship.
    3. There also will be one or two class meetings after we return, for "de-briefing" and discussion of student research.  Dates and times for these are to be arranged.
  7. What kind of examinations and/or papers will you require papers from the students?  I will require one major research paper (about 15-20 pages for undergraduates; about 25-30 pages for graduate students).  The paper will be due around Monday of the fourth week after we return (i.e., the last week of Summer II).  This will give students some time to regain their land legs and to complete the research and writing.  I will be available for consultation throughout July.
  8. What will it cost?  3 cr. hrs. tuition plus under $3000 ALL INCLUSIVE -- that means the cruise, land excursions, meals, port fees, the first night's hotel stay in Athens, and round trip air fare from Cleveland to Athens.  This price is based on utilizing the tentative reservations that I have for the class E cabins on board and making sure your fare is paid 60 days in advance.
  9. Can I really afford this course?  Yes!  Given the number and quality of scholars of early Christianity who are sponsoring this trip, it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  If you think money might pose a problem, let's talk about what options are available.  Can you really afford NOT to take this course?

Of course, I will work out more details in the near future, but this is where it stands right now.
 Let me know if you have any further questions.
ON TO ATHENS!