II. DESCRIPTIVE INFORMATION

Course: RELIG E311 The Mission and Message of Jesus
Catalog Course description: An analysis of the historical and social setting of the Gospels designed to afford the student a fuller understanding of Jesus and his mission. Course credit: 3 sem. hrs.

III. STATEMENT OF COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

• Goal: The goal of the course is to introduce students to Jesus and the Gospels from both the literary and historical standpoints. The course will view Jesus in his first century social and historical settings but will also pinpoint unique features of his mission and message.
• Objective: By studying the Gospels and other early Christian literature from an academic point of view the student should be able to discuss the mission and message of Jesus on an intellectual basis. Although not the objective of the course, this intellectual understanding of Jesus may lead some to a deeper personal faith.

IV. REQUIRED TEXTS:

• W. Barnes Tatum. In Quest of Jesus. Revised and Enlarged Edition. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1999 (Paperback).
  
  
• The Oxford Annotated Bible, New Revised Standard Version (New York: Oxford University Press, 2001).

V. ACADEMIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

• Attend class, be prompt in arriving for class, stay for the entire class period.
  
  
• Read the required text and pertinent biblical texts in correlation with the course outline below.
  
  
• Students should take thorough notes during class lectures and are encouraged to participate in class discussions.
  
  
• A research paper of no less than 8 pages and no more than 10 pages will be due on Tuesday, April 17. No late papers accepted. The instructor may suggest topics but if the student chooses to select his or her own research topic the topic must be approved by the instructor. The research paper is one-third of the grade.
  
  
• Tests: a mid-semester exam and final exam, each one-third of the final grade.

VI. CLASS POLICIES: Absences/ Tardiness/ Courteousness/ Special Needs

More than two absences during the term will result in the loss of 5 points from the final grade.Five or more absences may result in a failing grade.

Excessive tardiness or leaving class early could also result in the loss of 5 points from the final grade.

Talking with peers while class is in progress is discourteous and will not be tolerated. Students must turn off cell phones and pagers during class time. Phone calls, text messaging in class, etc. are not allowed and will lead to confiscation of phone.

VII. SCHEDULE OF CLASSES

Class meeting times: TTh 5:30 P.M. - 6:45 P.M.