IST2070-1-SP14 - Topics: Jonah & Its Afterlives

Updated Syllabus (4/1). PLEASE CONSULT the SCHEDULE in CANVAS for the most up-to-date versions of the assignments and for questions to help guide you through the assigned reading.

CLASS PRESENTATION: Assignment Details

Students lead discussion (as a group) on a selected topic for 45-50 min

*Due one week before (by Wed at 1:00)

Each student should submit (via email aerickson@iliff.edu )

-- a 2 page paper based on her/is interaction with the topic and the readings (each group member is expected to review [CLOSELY!] all the readings AND one of the suggested readings). The paper might include but should not be limited to a personal response. You might conclude by articulating questions you are left contemplating

Groups should submit to me (via email aerickson@iliff.edu ) (again, ONE WEEK BEFORE !!)

  1. A summary of the central issues and questions raised by the week’s reading (about a page)
  2. A list of guiding questions designed to help the rest of the class navigate the assigned readings
  3. A teaching agenda/outline (complete with estimated times) and teaching objective(s)
  4. A list of good, engaging discussion questions
  5. A brief description of any presentation they will make (Powerpoint), etc.
    1. Note: focus should be on generating good discussion

Due one week after (by Wed at 1:00).

A brief evaluation of the session and of the student’s individual participation in the process. List the strengths and weaknesses (bullet points are fine). Please submit via email.

Course Description

This course invites students to engage the book of Jonah in conversation with works of literature, art, and theology that either interpret Jonah and/or explore questions raised the book, including the nature of God, prophecy, election, death, and transformation. The course will introduce students to the history of interpretation of Jonah in both Christian and Jewish traditions. Of particular interest will be early Christian and medieval art and Jewish midrashic texts based on Jonah. We will also explore conversations between Jonah and works of English literature and consider Jonah’s afterlives in popular culture.

The instructor will labor to limit the amount of reading to less than 75 pages per week.

Required Text

Sherwood, Yvonne. A Biblical Text and Its Afterlives: The Survival of Jonah in Western Culture . Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press, 2000.

DateDayDetails
Feb 27, 2014ThuWhat is Reception and Why Should We Care?due by 06:59AM
Apr 02, 2014WedJonah 1, Early Jewish Interpretationdue by 03:00PM
Apr 09, 2014WedJonah 2, Early Christian Interpretationsdue by 03:00PM
Apr 16, 2014WedJonah 3, Jews and Christians due by 03:00PM
Apr 23, 2014WedJonah 4, Medieval Jewish Interpretationsdue by 03:00PM
Apr 23, 2014WedJonah in the Qur'andue by 03:00PM
Apr 30, 2014Wedthe Zohardue by 03:00PM
Apr 30, 2014WedThe Pearl Manuscript, Patiencedue by 03:00PM
May 07, 2014WedChristian Mysticsdue by 03:00PM
May 07, 2014WedMedieval Artdue by 03:00PM