N.T.Lit: 1 Corinthians

Instructor:  Pamela Eisenbaum

Course Description and Course Goals

This course is designed as an advanced seminar for students who have completed at least one introductory course in New Testament.  Primary objectives include:

• The in-depth study of Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, including developing better insight into Paul’s theology, the problems he faced, and the kind of people who followed and opposed him.
• The development of more sophisticated exegetical skills; in other words, learning how to engage the biblical text with greater analytical rigor, creativity, and self-reliance.
• Greater understanding of important and controversial issues that arise in the interpretation of 1 Corinthians, such as community integrity, ethics, sexuality, and attitudes toward women, as well as how these same issues have been at issue since Paul wrote his letter.

Required Books

Bible, preferably an NRSV study Bible. (Consider also purchasing the Jewish Annotated New Testament, published by Oxford.  The annotations are very informative.  In any case, you still need access to an NRSV whole Bible.  Electronic versions are fine.)

Hays, Richard B. First Corinthians .  Interpretation:  A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching.  Louisville:  John Knox Press, 1997.  978-0664234409

Martin, Dale B. The Corinthian Body .  New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1995. ISBN 978-0300081725

• Participation: 20% (online & in-class discussion, preparedness, optional readings)
• Summary of Text and Response: 2 x 10 = 20%
• Response to fellow student’s paper: 10%
• Final Paper: 50% (10% for presentation of draft paper)
• Please Note:
• Pass/Fail Option for Masters students: If you would like to take this course P/F, please let me know in writing by the second week.
• Incompletes: In the event of a student needing an incomplete, school policies and procedures will be strictly observed. The Iliff incomplete policy appears in the Masters Student Handbook. Doctoral students are subject to DU’s incomplete policy for graduate students.  (Students should be mindful of other relevant policies and procedures, especially regarding Academic Integrity.)
• Students with ADA needs: Iliff engages in a collaborative effort with students with disabilities to reasonably accommodate student needs.