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Outline and Readings

Sept. 11 Characteristics of Apocalyptic Texts

Sept. 19 Roots of Apocalyptic Texts Jacobsen 1999:xi-9 Kyle 1998:9-25 Reddish 1990:19-38 Collins 1998:1-42

Sept. 26 Early Jewish Apocalyptic Texts 1 Enoch 1-36 = Book of the Watchers (Reddish 1990:143-62) 1 Enoch 85-90 = Animal Apocalypse (Reddish 1990:41-53) Collins 1998:43-84

Oct. 3 Canonical Jewish Apocalyptic Texts Daniel 2, 7-12 Ezekiel 37-39 Collins 1998:85-115

Oct. 10 Apocalyptic Texts from the Hellenistic Period The Community Rule (1QS) 3-4 (Reddish 1990:224-28) The War Scroll (1QM) 1, 15-19 (Reddish 1990:229-36) The New Jerusalem (Reddish 1990:237-40) Collins 1998:145-76

Oct. 17 Apocalyptic in Paul 1 Thess 4:13-5:11; 1 Cor 15; 2 Thess 2:1-12 Rom 8:18-30 Collins 1998:264-68 Jacobsen 1999:53-73, 95-104

Oct. 24 Post-Jewish Revolt Apocalyptic Texts 4 Ezra = 2 Esdras 3-14 (Reddish 1990:58-100) Reddish 1990:97-101 Collins 1998:194-225

Oct. 31 Apocalyptic in the Jesus Tradition Gospels: Mark 13; Matthew 23-25; Luke 21, 17:22-37 Collins 1998:256-64 Jacobsen 1999:10-52

Nov. 7 No Class: Reading Week Note: This would be a good time to read ahead in Kyle (1998) or to catch up on any reading that you did not manage to get to!

Nov. 14 Revelation of John Revelation Collins 1998:269-79 Jacobsen 1999:74-94

Nov. 21 Non-canonical Apocalypses The Shepherd of Hermas (Reddish 1990:255-65) The Apocalypse of Paul (Reddish 1990:291-325) Kyle 1998:27-40

Nov. 28 Interpreting Apocalyptic Throughout History Kyle 1998:41-113 Jacobsen 1999:105-117 Collins 1998:280-83

Dec. 5 Interpreting Apocalyptic Today Kyle 1998:115-201

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Assignments

• 20% Class Participation: Students are required to attend all classes and make substantive contributions to class discussions. Attendance will be taken. A doctor's note is required for all absences in order for it not to affect your grade.

  Students will also present a 10 minute summary of a primary reading and lead a brief discussion of that text. The presentation should focus on describing the apocalyptic content of the reading and the relationship it might have to Christian theological discourse. It should offer a brief summary and analysis of important points rather than a comprehensive description and complex argument. Be sure to include a few discussion questions. Prepare a one or two page handout for the class to go along with the presentation.

• 40% Investigation of Apocalyptic Texts: In a paper of 8-10 pages (typewritten, double-spaced) compare and contrast the book of Revelation with two of the extra-biblical apocalyptic texts (one Jewish and one Christian) drawn from Reddish's anthology. Note similarities and differences among the texts you are analyzing, but also among the larger corpus of apocalyptic literature. You should consider, but need not restrict yourself to, mode(s) of revelation, themes, imagery, and reliance on other texts. Due November 28, 2001.

• 40% Examination of Apocalyptic Themes In a paper of 6-8 pages (typewritten, double-spaced) examine apocalyptic themes in three pieces from a particular artistic medium such as art, film, television, or literature. All three pieces must be from the same medium. Some possible broad paper categories include the following (although your topic should be much more specific and focused): Apocalyptic Art (medieval and/or modern), Apocalyptic Films (American and/or foreign), Apocalyptic Fiction (from any era or culture). Be sure to highlight what type of apocalyptic images are used, how they are used, and what the possible sources (direct or indirect) might be. Due December 14, 2001.

All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the stated day. Late assignments will be assessed a penalty of a one mark reduction per day late.

For an indication of how I grade written assignments see my Evaluation Guide
(http://post.queensu.ca/~rsa/evaltion.htm)

Please do not hand in assignments enclosed in a covering of some sort (e.g., binder, plastic sleeve); just place a staple in the top left corner.

Academic Integrity: Academic dishonesty is a serious offense and can result in a grade of F and a notation in the student's record. All use of sources in any form, paper or electronic, must be acknowledged and documented in both written and oral presentations. This includes indirect use of another's ideas as well as direct quotation. Please be sure to read Queen's University's Policy on Academic Dishonesty (http://www.queensu.ca/secretariat/senate/policies/acaddish.html) and section 2.20 Academic Dishonesty in the Queen's Theological College Student Handbook (pp. 12-15).

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Supplementary Bibliography

Charlesworth, James H., ed. 1983. The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, Vol. 1, Apocalyptic Literature and Testaments. Garden City, NY: Doubleday.

Schneemelcher, Wilhelm, ed. 1991. New Testament Apocrypha. Louisville: Westminster John Knox.

See the up-to-date and comprehensive bibliography in John J. Collins, The Apocalyptic Imagination: An Introduction to the Jewish Matrix of Christianity (Revised edition; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998) 284-317.

An excellent annotated bibliography of resouces for preachers is found in David Schnasa Jacobsen, Preaching in the New Creation: The Promise of New Testament Apocalyptic Texts (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1999) 119-22.

For comprehensive coverage of apocalyptic themes and topics see the three volume Encyclopedia of Apocalypticism, edited by John J. Collins, Bernard McGinn, and Stephen J. Stein (New York: Continuum, 2000).

Tina Pippin, Apocalyptic Bodies: The Biblical End of the World in Text and Image (London and New York: Routledge, 1999).

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