Course Syllabus

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KETTERING COLLEGE

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN HYB 01


RELB 225 M/W 3:00-3:50 PM

(HYBRID COURSE.  WE MEET IN-CLASS (MORE OR LESS) TWO WEEKS IN SUCCESSION AND TWO WEEKS (MORE OR LESS) ON CANVAS.  WHILE THE SYLLABUS IS A "GUIDE," THE "BIBLE" OF THE COURSE SCHEDULE IN FOUND IN THE MODULES, WHICH MAY CHANGE DEPENDING ON CIRCUMSTANCE.  PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ASSIGNMENTS ARE SCHEDULED FOR ONE DAY A WEEK (AFTER OUR INITIAL MEETING) EVEN THOUGH WE MEET TWICE IN THAT WEEK.  

 

Mon/Wed 3:00-3:50 PM

G-31

James J. Londis, Ph.D

OFFICE:  GC 84

HOURS:  POSTED HOURS OR APPOINTMENT

On-Campus Office:  937 298-4331, X 54913

EMAIL:  james.londis@kc.edu; jjlondis@aol.com

CELL:  937 974-7240


TEXTS:           The New Testament's Gospel of John and JOHN by Colin G. Kruse, the New Testament Tyndale Commentaries

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

A verse-by-verse study of a Gospel written to explain why Jesus of Nazareth was accepted by some and rejected by others.  John's use of symbolism, stories, and Jesus' teachings are carefully explored in an effort to convey and help students experience the spirituality of John's connection to Jesus.

CALL OR EMAIL ME AT ANYTIME.  IF I AM UNAVAILABLE AT THAT MOMENT, I WILL RETURN YOUR EMAIL OR YOUR TELEPHONE CALL.  MY EMAIL DOES COME TO MY BLACKBERRY, SO I USUALLY CAN ANSWER QUITE RAPIDLY.

 

Matthew, Mark and Luke are accounts of Jesus' life and ministry ("gospels") which contain material similar to each other.  They are called the "synoptic"gospels since they tend to flow together with material about Jesus.  Most scholars believe that Mark wrote his gospel first, followed by Matthew and Luke.  John's gopel is very different from the Synoptics.  It is heavily theological and reflects an understanding of Jesus that has challenged Bible students for millenia.  It reflects the way Jesus was perceived by one known as the "beloved disciple."

John's challenge and purpose in his writing is to explain why it is that some people accepted Jesus as the Jewish Messiah, as even the "Son of God," while others flatly rejected Jesus as Messiah or "Christ."  The goal of the course is to help you understand John's gospel from both a literary and theological perspective.  Jesus says things in John that are not spoken anywhere else in the New Testament.

John's gospel is more "spiritual" than the others.  Jesus spends time describing the life of the true disciple.  His miracles are spectacular and force the reader to wonder how anyone could doubt that he was indeed the Messiah.


READING AND ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE IN KRUSE AND IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
(ANY MODERN TRANSLATION IS FINE)

NOTE:  See Canvas Modules for weekly discussion board and assignments.  EACH MODULE REPRESENT A WEEKLY ASSIGNMENT--THAT IS, IT COVERS BOTH THE MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY CLASS PERIODS.  YOUR ASSIGNMENTS AND/OR DISCUSSION FORUMS (WHEN WE DO NOT MEET IN CLASS) ARE DUE ON WEDNESDAY BY MIDNIGHT.


JAN 7            Intro to the Course / Herold Weiss "Logos" in John,  Kruse--Prologue:  pp. 59-75; (Discuss John 1:1-18)--IN CLASS

JAN 9             Kruse--pp. 76-106; John 1:19-2:25; Herold Weiss "The Logos in John"-- IN CLASS

JAN 16           Kruse--pp. 106-146; John 3:1-4:54 IN CLASS 

JAN 23           Kruse--pp. 146-180; John 5:1-6:71 CANVAS

JAN 30           Kruse, pp. 180-208; John 7:1-8:3--CANVAS

FEB 6             Kruse, pp. 209-220; John 8:34-9:12--CLASS

FEB 13           MIDTERM EXAM DUE BY MIDNIGHT

FEB 20           Kruse, pp. 220-246; John 8:34-9:12  CANVAS

FEB 27           Kruse, pp. 247-286; John 9:11-11:19 CANVAS

MAR 13          Kruse, pp. 287-343, JN 11:10-13:30 CLASS

MAR 20          Kruse, pp. 287-343; 13:31-18:1--ON CANVAS NO CLASS

MAR 27/A3     Kruse, pp. 343-389; 18:1-21:25--IN CLASS

APR 7, 10         FINAL COURSE SUMMATION AND Review for final quiz and supplemental reading

APR 17             FINAL EXAM DUE BY MIDNIGHT!                                  

        




CLASS ACTIVITIES:  Most of your assignments will consist of reflections on what you have read in the Gospel of John.  I am more interested in how you think what you have read applies to you or to others, than I am in theological or textual analysis (though that is important).  I have posted weekly discussion boards with questions for you to comment on with your classmates as well as me.  You need to write at least one response to a classmate as well as register your own thoughts.  If you do this all at the last minute, you will not get full credit.  The point is for all of you to read what you all have written. 

Assignments should be placed in the drop box each week.

  1. Grading is based on the total percentage of the points achieved by the best student.  For example, if there are 100 points possible, the following would be true:  A=95%; A-= 90%; B+=86%; B=82%; B-=80%; C+=76%; C=72%; C-=70% and so on.

    IMPORTANT:  LATE SUBMISSIONS FOR ASSIGNMENTS, OR EXAMS, WILL REQUIRE A DEDUCTION OF POINTS.  THERE CAN BE NO POINTS FOR LATE DISCUSSION FORUM COMMENTS.

  2. Honor Code:  See current KCMA Bulletin.  This syllabus is a guide and every attempt is made to provide an accurate overview of the course. However, circumstances and events may make it necessary for the instructor to modify the syllabus during the semester and may depend, in part, on the progress, needs, and experiences of the students. Changes to the syllabus will be made with advance notice.

     

  3. Americans with Disabilities Statement & Non-Discrimination/Academic Support Statement

    KCMA is committed to promoting student academic success by complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and will provide reasonable accommodations for those students supplying appropriate documentation.    

     

     

    The NitaJenningsAcademicSupportCenter in the Learning Commons is the designated office on campus to provide services and accommodations to students with diagnosed disabilities. You need to provide documentation of your disability to the AcademicSupportCenter if you seek accommodations in this course. Students are strongly encouraged to contact the academic support coordinator to request specific accommodations at least two weeks in advance of the need.  The coordinator will arrange necessary internal support and facilitate referral to external resources, as appropriate.  Refer to the current KCMA Student Handbook for specific information.

     

     

    It is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor and the Academic Support Coordinator regarding accommodations (See Student Handbook).  In addition, the AcademicSupportLearningCenter strives to empower all students do develop effective strategies for learning and offers peer tutoring, group tutorials and private consultation.

     

     

    Your success as a student is of utmost importance to me. If you have a disability or any other special circumstance that may have some impact on your work in this class, and for which you may require special accommodations, please contact me early in the semester so that accommodations can be made in a timely manner.

     

    Code of Academic Integrity and Standards of Conduct:  See current KCMA Student Handbook 

  4. Faculty Assistance Statement:  Students are expected to be in contact regularly with their faculty regarding any academic issues of importance to the students, and specifically if they are experiencing any concerns or difficulty with their studies 

    YOU MAY EMAIL OR CALL ME ANYTIME IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR PROBLEM.

    GOD BLESS.

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due