RELI 212
Spring 2026
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
MDST 214, WLIT 282 |
| Course Cluster and Certificates: Christianity Studies |
The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to those writings of the earliest Christians that came to be included in the Bible. These writings will be examined critically with respect to their social-historical origin, religious content, and place within the development of ancient Christianity. Interpreting early Christian texts constitutes the most important task in the study of the New Testament. We will therefore focus on a close reading of the New Testament in light of historical situations and social contexts in the Greco-Roman world, having as one of the chief aims of the course the acquisition of critical skills in reading and understanding the Bible. In the process we will necessarily engage secondary scholarship and wider theoretical interests, thereby providing students with a general introduction to the academic study of religion. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA RELI |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (College of East Asian Studies)(Medieval Studies Minor)(Medieval Studies)(Religion Minor)(Religion)(Science and Technology Studies) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 75% - 89% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Harold W. Attridge, ed., THE HARPERCOLLINS STUDY BIBLE: NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION, WITH THE APOCRYPHAL/DEUTEROCANONICAL BOOKS (2006). ISBN: 9780060786841
Burton L. Mack, WHO WROTE THE NEW TESTAMENT? THE MAKING OF THE CHRISTIAN MYTH (1995). ISBN: 0060655186
Lawrence M. Wills, NOT GOD'S PEOPLE: INSIDERS AND OUTSIDERS IN THE BIBLICAL WORLD (2008). ISBN: 10742562506
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Examinations and Assignments:
An in-class exam, with a take-home component
An essay (6-7 pp. in length)
A final, Registrar-scheduled exam |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This course satisfied the "Historical Traditions" requirement for the Religion major. |
| Instructor(s): Cameron,Ron Times: .M.W... 02:50PM-04:10PM; Location: TBA |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 30 | | SR major: 2 | JR major: 0 | | |
| Seats Available: 30 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 4 | JR non-major: 4 | SO: 10 | FR: 10 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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