ENGL 217 The English Bible as Literature

Students will study the King James version of the English Bible as literature, learning the necessary background to understand the books of the Bible in historical and cultural context, including the questions of authorship, canonization, and translation. Students will read the types of literature found in the Bible, including narrative, poetry, biography, history, epistolary writing, wisdom literature, prophetic literature, and apocalyptic literature. Students will also explore the influence the Bible has had on other literature and on different disciplines, such as art, music, film, and contemporary popular culture. This course is writing intensive.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

ENGL 121

Hours Weekly

3 hours weekly

Course Objectives

1. Identify and apply literary terms, concepts, devices, and characteristics in the texts studied.
   
2. Apply appropriate literary criticism (perspectives) for effective literary analysis.
3. Use evidence from literary texts and secondary texts to compose original and insightful literary analysis.
   
4. Pose questions and analyze themes that reflect the human condition, such as history, ideology, and the evolving ideas about humanity and the rise of individualism.
5. Analyze how literature reflects human values and thus has relevance to today's world.
6. Write analytically about literary works, using appropriate research and documentation.
7. Communicate effectively an understanding of the literature and exchange ideas with others.
   
8. Apply critical judgment and aesthetic standards in evaluating art, music, and film as reflections of biblical influence.
   
9. Describe the impact of the English Bible on different fields, such as art, literature, music, and popular culture.
   

Course Objectives

1. Identify and apply literary terms, concepts, devices, and characteristics in the texts studied.
   

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Rubric for Writing Assignments

   Program Goal(s)

   Degree: English - A.A. Degree (Transfer)

   Describe the aesthetic and structural characteristics of literature from different genres, literary periods, and perspectives.

2. Apply appropriate literary criticism (perspectives) for effective literary analysis.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP1

   Program Goal(s)

   Degree: English - A.A. Degree (Transfer)

   Describe the aesthetic and structural characteristics of literature from different genres, literary periods, and perspectives.

3. Use evidence from literary texts and secondary texts to compose original and insightful literary analysis.
   

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP2

   Program Goal(s)

   Degree: English - A.A. Degree (Transfer)

   Compose and present creative and original projects of literary analysis supported by academic sources and documentation.

4. Pose questions and analyze themes that reflect the human condition, such as history, ideology, and the evolving ideas about humanity and the rise of individualism.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP3

   Program Goal(s)

   Degree: English - A.A. Degree (Transfer)

   Explain how literature reflects the human condition, experience, values, and ethical questions.

5. Analyze how literature reflects human values and thus has relevance to today's world.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP4

   Program Goal(s)

   Degree: English - A.A. Degree (Transfer)

   Explain how literature reflects the human condition, experience, values, and ethical questions.

6. Write analytically about literary works, using appropriate research and documentation.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Rubric for Writing Assignments

   Program Goal(s)

   Degree: English - A.A. Degree (Transfer)

   Compose and present creative and original projects of literary analysis supported by academic sources and documentation.

7. Communicate effectively an understanding of the literature and exchange ideas with others.
   

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Rubric for Writing Assignments

   Program Goal(s)

   Degree: English - A.A. Degree (Transfer)

   Compose and present creative and original projects of literary analysis supported by academic sources and documentation.

8. Apply critical judgment and aesthetic standards in evaluating art, music, and film as reflections of biblical influence.
   

   This objective is a course Goal Only

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Rubric for Writing Assignments
9. Describe the impact of the English Bible on different fields, such as art, literature, music, and popular culture.
   

   This objective is a course Goal Only

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Rubric for Writing Assignments

   Program Goal(s)

   Degree: English - A.A. Degree (Transfer)

   Analyze literature in light of historical and cultural contexts.