Seminar Assumptions
26 June 2006

• RL pre-requisites for undergraduates: RL 101 & 205 (or equivalent); note that there are additional EN pre-requisites for undergraduate "W" core credit
• RL pre-requisites for graduate students: RL 400 & equivalent of RL 205

Lectures and seminar discussions will assume that students have a basic understanding of:

1. The central message of Jesus' life and preaching
2. The key themes of the four canonical gospels
3. The synoptic problem & hypotheses for "solving" it
4. Methods of critical biblical analysis

I also take for granted that students have enough habitual knowledge of the key historical events of first-century C.E. Palestine to carry on a discussion of the historical issues pertinent to the historical Jesus quest.

The first session will provide a rapid review of these things to refresh your memory, but it will not give enough background for students with no prior exposure to the New Testament. If you are concerned about your background knowledge, please consult the NT surveys indicated in the list of recommended texts in the course syllabus and/or in this list of NT research tools.

It will be extremely helpful to have two further skills:

1. Facility with the standard bibliographical and reference tools for theological study
2. Experience in producing a critical research paper characterized by appropriate format, rigorous argumentation of the thesis, and thorough documentation of sources.

If a student is concerned about any of these points, please see me as soon as possible so we can work out a strategy to help you acquire the necessary skills.