David Trobisch
 Throckmorton- Hayes Professor of New Testament Language and Literature
  Email: DTrobisch@BTS.edu //  Curriculum Vitae / short CV // tel (207) 774 5212 x 205 //  fax (207) 874 2214

NT1703 Gospel According to Matthew (Fall 2007)

Class Homepage: Follow the link at www.bts.edu/trobisch 

Course Description

The course will be taught using the video conferencing equipment. I will take turns teaching from each location. Twice during the semester we will meet for one whole Saturday. Please make sure that you can attend on those days before signing up for the course. See the outline at the end of this document.

This course introduces students to the historical background and the literary beauty of the Gospel According to Matthew.

The course will feature a literary approach (reading it at face value as the author intended us to read it) as well as an historical approach (comparing the book to information outside of Matthew).

 Learning Goals

At the end of the semester the successful student will be able (assessment tools are noted in parenthesis):

  1. to structure the gospel in more than one way following scholarly standards (thought paper, two pages)
  2. to relate the oldest historical evidence to the different theories about the location and date of the gospel (quiz)
  3. to place the gospel within the narrative of the New Testament as a whole with specific attention to its place in the Four-Gospel-Book and its relation to the Letters of Paul (quiz)
  4. to compare passages from Matthew with similar passages in other gospels on the background of the Two-Source-Theory (paper)

How we will work together

Homework will consist mostly of reading assignments. Every session will begin with questions about the previous session and about the readings. These questions will form part of the two quizzes.

After several sessions you will be given an opportunity for feedback. Your suggestions are important to me. You may use the anonymous feedback form at any time.

Attendance: If you are not able to attend a session, I expect you to tell me beforehand or leave a message. If this should not be possible, please let me know the reason for your absence the next time we meet.

Textbooks

The following textbooks are required and can be ordered through the BTS bookstore (bookstore@bts.edu):

bullet

Barbara Aland, Kurt Aland et al. (ed.), Greek-English New Testament (Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1994).

bullet

The Gospel of Matthew (Sacra Pagina Series, Vol 1) by Daniel J. Harrington, Liturgical Press (September 1991) ISBN-13: 978-0814658

Grading

bulletOne book review (2-5 pages each). A list of books will be distributed in class. Instructions for Book Reviews. 
bulletPaper with bibliography 15 pages. You will choose a passage from Matthew and compare it to a similar passage in another gospel (canonical or extracanonical). The goal of this paper will be to describe one aspect of the literary quality of this gospel compared to another gospel. For example: What was the intention of the author? How does the author portray Jesus or another character? How does the author move the plot? How much poetic license does the author use? 
bulletTwo written quizzes. They will be posted on the website and you will have one week to submit them. No books and notes allowed. Honor system.
bulletOne thought paper about the structure of Matthew, two pages.

Grade Distribution

bulletPaper (30%)
bulletQuizzes (30%)
bulletBook Review (20%)
bulletThought Paper (10%)
bulletCooperation in Class and Voluntary Assignments (10%)

A = 100-95%; B = 94-90%; C = 89-85%; D = 84-75%.

Goals (MA, MDiv)

The course is designed to provide foundational biblical, theological, and historical knowledge.

Outline

Dates Taught From Notes 
9/5 Bangor  
9/12  NO CLASS  
9/19 NO CLASS  
9/26 Portland  
9/29 Waterville Saturday 10 AM - 5 PM
10/3 NO CLASS  
Reading Week    
10/17 Bangor Quiz
10/24 Portland  
10/31 Bangor  
11/7 Portland Book Reviews due
11/14 NO CLASS  
Reading Week    
11/28 Bangor Quiz
12/1 Waterville Portland Saturday 10 AM - 5 PM
12/5 Portland Paper due
12/12 LAST CLASS Bangor  

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Last modified November 28, 2007