Summer 2002 -- RL 299W/499W Special Topics: Cradle of Christianity: Early Christianity in Syria & Asia
A Study Tour of Ancient Syria
(with Sts. Peter, Paul, Matthew & Co.)

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. Who can take this class?  Undergraduates who have taken the RL 101, or who have obtained instructor permission, are eligible to take the 299W. Undergraduates, majors and graduate students all are able to take the 499W for credit; again, theonly pre-requisite is the RL 101 or instructor permission. It will not hurt to have studied the New Testament beforehand, but you will get a brief introduction to it in the first class sessions.
  2. Is it possible to take the course on a continuing education basis?  Absolutely.  Contact the John Carroll University Office of Continuing Education for details, or email them your registration.
  3. What will the course format be like?  There will be three primary components of the course:
    1. Three preliminary meetings before we leave for the journey.  These will take place on Wednesdays, May 15, 22, & 29 from 6:30-7:50 PM
    2. Several lectures and discussions during the trip itself, some led by Dr. McGinn and some from other distinguished scholars of early Christianity.  Some lectures will be given at specific archaeological sites -- like Aleppo, Apameia, Cyrrhus, Emesa, Damascus, Palmyra -- and others will be given along the way.
    3. One meeting after we return, for "de-briefing" and discussion of student research: Wednesday, June 26 from 6:30-7:50 PM
  4. What kind of examinations and/or papers will you require papers from the students?  I will require one research paper (about 15 pages for undergraduates; about 20-25 pages for graduate students).  The paper will be due around Monday of the last week of Summer II.  This will give students some time to recover from jet lag and to complete the research & writing.  I will be available for consultation throughout summer session II.
  5. What will it cost?  Tuition (3 cr. hrs.) plus travel ($2500 includes land travel, bottled water, meals, double-occupancy hotel accomodations, and much more)
  6. 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?
  7. How do I arrange my air travel? We can help you to get a competitively priced air itinerary that matches the tour start and end dates.
  8. Can I add other sites to my trip? Certainly. For example, there are optional pre-colloquium and/or post-colloquium tours of Istanbul.
  9. What if my questions aren't on this list? No problem! Give Dr. McGinn a call at 216-397-3087 or send her an e-mail.