The Gospels and the New Testament

Bachelor of Science in Religious Studies & Catechetical Instruction

RSC 200

BREYER STATE UNIVERSITY

Instructor: Mark Moran, BS, MA

SYLLABUS

COURSE OVERVIEW: This course tells the exciting story of the Incarnation seen through the eyes of the apostles and disciples. This course continues the concepts of the various criticisms and ideals introduced in the first Scripture class, but once again remains faithful to the teachings of the Church regarding the sanctity of God's word. In this course the student will learn about the gospels and their particular meaning for salvation. The history of the book, authorship, and theme will all be addressed. In addition to this, the writings of Paul and other epistles will also be addressed in the second half of the class. I hope the Holy Spirit fills you with his gifts as you study the sacred text of God and the early story of Christ and his Church.

TIME FRAME: This is an eight-semester hour course. This course is allotted ten weeks of time. You must complete all of the requirements for the course successfully by the end of the ten-week period. The first day of week one will begin the day that you register for the course, or the day which you notify me that your textbooks have arrived and you are ready to begin your studies. Please be cognizant of the time frame. It is rare that extensions of time are permitted, unless you have good justification. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded ten semester hours of credit. Extensions can be granted if needed or necessary.

TEXTBOOKS: There are 4 required textbook for this course. Keep in mind, the Catechism of the Catholic Church is a required text for the whole degree program.

Book 1: The Synoptic Gospels: An Introduction. Keith F. Nickle, Westminster John Knox Press.

Book 2: Reading the Gospel of John: An Introduction. Kevin Quast, Paulist Press.

Book 3: Writings of St. Paul. Wayne Meeks, W.W. Norton and Company.

Book 4: Catechism of the Catholic Church. Doubleday. ISBN # 03-85479-670.

You can purchase your all of your textbooks from the university bookstore:

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» Additional Student Resources at StudyTactics

EXAMINATIONS: There are two examinations for this course, a mid-term exam and a final exam.

Both exams are programmed and are located in the classroom for this course. The examinations are "open book" objective type. You will have one (1) day to complete your exam, once you access it from the classroom. To access the exams, you must send me an email and request to have access to the exam. Upon registration, you will receive my email address. I will then program your access in. You will receive an email back from me telling you that you are now authorized to go ahead and to access your exam. To access, you will come into the classroom, click on testing, and click on the exam you are taking. You will need your user ID and password to access the exam. The exam will appear on your screen. Once you access the exam, you have twenty-four hours to submit your answers. The program provides me the exact date and time that you accessed the exam. The program also notifies me of the exact date and time that you submitted your answers. Thus, the program is timing you. When you are ready, go back into the classroom and click in your responses and then click submit. Shortly, you will receive the exam in your email box with your computed score. You will also know what questions, if any, that you missed, and what the correct answer is. I also receive a copy of your exam and your score.

GRADING: The grading scale for this course is as follows:

90-100%    = A
80-89%      = B
70-79%      = C
Below 70% = Fail

COMMUNICATION: You are encouraged to communicate with me. I am available as a teacher, coach, and mentor to assist you in meeting your goals for this course. Primarily, communication is through email. However, I am also available for conversation by telephone if you would like. Our classroom for this course has a "chat" room. I am also very willing to meet with you one-on-one in the chat room at your request. From time to time, depending on how many students are enrolled in this course at a particular time, we will have some scheduled group chats. You will receive more detailed information at the time such chat sessions are scheduled. Please keep my email address handy so that you can contact me whenever necessary. If at any time during this course you change your email address, please be sure to notify me right away.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: This course has one paper assignment. You are to choose one book of the New Testament or chapter and outline its theme and relevance. If it is a major book, you must critique its theme, its place in the canon of Scripture, its authorship and audience, and an outline of its contents. If it is a chapter, the same format is to be followed but you are to in more detail explain the purpose of the chapter to its audience and its relevance today in theology. The other choice of a paper is to critique the differences found in the synoptic gospels and whether there is a serious relevance in these differences or not. You are then to compare the synoptic gospels with the gospel of John and discuss the differences of how the theology of Christ is portrayed. The paper is to be 10 to 12 pages, double spaced, 1.5 margins, and include a bibliography and works cited page.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR: I hold a MA in Divinity from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. I received my undergraduate degree at Youngstown State University with a Major in History and a dual Minor in Philosophy and Religious Studies. My Master's Thesis was on Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Relations. During my time at JCU, I was a graduate assistant and aided many of the professors in teaching and preparing classes on many of issues addressed in this class. Academic achievements include Magna Cum Laude at YSU, a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society, and a member of the Phi Alpha Theta Society for scholarship in History. Outside of academics, I am a member of the Sons of Italy and possess the rank of Eagle Scout within the Boy Scouts of America.

I consider the field of Theology to be an important study because it is the study of my faith. As a theologian, I believe scholarship is important. In this light, I am far from a "fundamentalist" for I do not turn my head from modern techniques of study. I, however, am far from a "progressive" or liberal theologian that so easily denounces the faith of the Church and its many unexplainable mysteries. Unlike many theologians, I am first a believer before an analyzer. As the great St. Augustine once stated, one must believe before one can truly understand. I hope the zeal for Theology I have shines through this course and illuminates you not only in mind, but also in spirit.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

1). Understand the Christian message of the Gospels.
2). Understand the themes of each Gospel.
3). Understand the theological messages of the authors and how this compares with the present day Church.
4). Realize the differences of modern scholarship and the authority of the Church.

ASSIGNMENTS: For specific assignments, please click on the link "Assignments." Under assignments, you will find your extra readings that are supplements to the text. Once again, keep in mind that the supplemental readings will be on the test.

PLAGIARISM: Plagiarism is a theft of ideas and is not acceptable in any academic atmosphere. Breyer State University nor I will accept any work that is not your own. Please remember that proper citation is required when quoting or expressing someone else's idea that is not considered general knowledge. If it is discovered you have committed this academic crime, I will take it to the board of Breyer State and you will receive an F for the course. Please have pride in yourself and maintain the integrity of this university!

INFORMATION: If you have any questions regarding this program, you may address them to adm@breyerstate.com. An administrative faculty member will respond to all questions.