Syllabus: Gospel of John


All students in my classes are encouraged to access the following web resources to understand better the assignments given and the philosophy of teaching I use in my classes.
Research Grading Guide
Anti-Plagiarism Guidelines
General Expectations which apply to all classes unless the specific syllabus indicates otherwise.
Understanding Syllabus Assignments

Ohio Valley College Bible Program
Textual/Doctrinal Studies
Class Policies and Syllabus

Course: Gospel of John
Course #: BIB 312
Credit hours: 2 hours
Instructor: Robert J. Young
Semester: Spring, 1998
Prerequisites: None


Required Textbooks
Holy Bible. (Translation of your choice, no paraphrases.)
D. Moody Smith. The Theology of the Gospel of John. Cambridge.

Course Description
This course is designed to acquaint the student with the Gospel of John. The student should become familiar with Johannine themes and theology through the study of key words and phrases in the Fourth Gospel. The Johannine letters and the Apocalypse will serve as secondary sources in the study of Johannine theology and doctrine.
The major thrust of the course will be the study of the text itself. The primary resource will be the English text, but the student may expect to be encouraged and challenged to examine the Greek text as skills and interests allow.

Student Expectations
[Student expectations are set forth in the OVC catalog. These paragraphs simply reflect and clarify the matters addressed therein as they pertain to this class.]
Attendance Policy
The school attendance policy will be followed. Students should note that the evaluation is weighted in favor of regular class attendance. Students are expected to attend class regularly. Excused absences are available only through contact with the instructor the day class is missed or in advance. Students are responsible for consulting with the instructor when absent. The student is responsible for obtaining and completing all assignments.
Classroom Conduct
Students must arrive at class on time. (See catalog.) A student who must arrive at class late is expected to enter class without being disruptive and wait until after class to explain the reason for his or her tardiness.
Late Assignments
Homework must be turned in on time or early. Daily in-class work and quizzes cannot be made up. No makeup examinations are available in this class.
Withdrawal Procedure
Class withdrawal procedures are set forth in the catalog and must be followed. The student must initiate an official process. Non-attendance does not constitute official withdraw. The student who neither attends nor drops the class will receive an "F" grade.

Goals and Objectives

  • 1. The student will have a clear understanding of the content of the Gospel of John.
  • 2. The student will be able to identify and reflect upon the significance of key Johannine doctrines, themes, words, and phrases.
  • 3. The student will be aware of the unique concerns, themes, topics, theology, outline, chronology, and purposes of each of the Fourth Gospel and how these interact with, differ, or complement the other three gospels.
  • 4. The student will be able to reflect upon the significance of the Gospel of John for her or his own life, as evidenced in a personal reflection paper informed by the study of Johannine literature and theology.
  • 5. The student will be able to identify the way a person should respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ as outlined in John's Gospel.
  • 6. Students will be involved in quality research of primary sources in seeking to understand and apply the content of the Gospel of John.
  • 7. All students should expect to be involved in outside readings which will complement the course content and provide additional orientation to the current state of Johannine studies, insofar as is practical in an upper-level undergraduate course. Students will be encouraged to advance as far as they are willing.

    Criteria for Evaluation
    The successful student will master each of the course objectives to some degree--no items will be completely omitted. The successful student will cooperate with the professor in a mutually stimulating and exciting learning experience. Evaluation will be based upon mastery of these goals and objectives as reflected in class participation, quizzes, homework and other various assignments, and examinations.
    Class Requirements
    1. Mastery of the chronology of the Gospel of John (to be demonstrated on the FINAL EXAM).
    2. Mastery of the chapter-content information of John (demonstrated on the FINAL EXAM).
    3. Personal Research Projects
    Personal research project topics will be assigned early in the semester to correlate with the course outline. Research projects will be due on assigned dates, with presentation scheduled for the entire class.
    4. Daily Bible reading is encouraged in the Gospel of John, 1-2-3 John, and Revelation. The student should plan to read all of the Johannine corpus during the semester. The Gospel itself should be read at least twice. Quizzes may be over suggested readings.

    Evaluation
    	15	Class participation and quizzes
    	20	Research paper and presentation
    	15	Book Review
    	30	Exams (2 x 15)
    	20	Final Exam
    	100	Total points possible
    
    Grading Scale [% of possible points]
    	A	90-100%
    	B	80-89% 
    	C	70-79%
    	D	60-69%
    	F	<60%
    
    
    Please Note: This syllabus is an agreement between the student and the instructor of BIB312. The professor reserves the right to amend any or all of this syllabus as he deems necessary during the course of the semester, and will promptly notify all students involved of the changes.

    Research Projects Each student will be assigned a research projects. Papers will be 15 pages, typed, double-spaced. Research projects are due on the date assigned.

    John--Suggested Topics
    	"Life" as a Johannine Theme
    	"Light" as a theme of the Fourth Gospel
    	Worlds in Conflict:  A Possible Way of Understanding John's Gospel
    	That Ye Might Believe:  John's Concept of Faith
    	Signs and Miracles in John's Gospel
    	Surveying John's Gospel:  John as the Apostle of Love
    	The Purpose of John's Gospel
    	Jesus' Self-Revelation
    	Judaism in the Setting of the Gospel ("Jews")
    	The placement of the temple cleansing pericope
    	The Setting of the fourth Gospel
    	Revelation of Glory
    	Christology in John's Gospel
    	Symbolism
    	Searching for Truth
    	The Chronology of Jesus' Life
    	The Gnostic Problem
    	Unity in John's Gospel
    	Holy Spirit
    	The Homiletic Value of John's Gospel
    	Use of Contrast in John
    	The Structure of the Gospel
    
    John--Study Questions
    1.  What is John's word for miracles?  Why?
    2.  List all of Jesus' miracles in John's gospel.
    3.  Briefly trace the tension in John between two worlds.
    4.  Set forth John's view of  light.
    5.  Trace John's view of Jesus as life.  Be certain to include the references.
    6.  Summarize John's view of Jesus as love. Cite specific verses.
    7.  How does John use belief as a concept?
    8.  How do you think John 21 functions in the overall plan of John?
    9.  Which of John's theological agendas is reflected in 13:1ff?
    10.  How do John 1-3 contribute to understanding Jesus' identity?
    11.  In what way is John 6 a turning point in John's gospel?
    12.  Who is John? Write a brief biographical sketch.
    13.  To whom did John likely write?
    14.  When was John's gospel probably written?
    

    ________________________

    Compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

    If you have a diagnosed disability and need special accommodations, please notify the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs before or immediately after your first scheduled class meeting. After your disability has been verified, your instructor will work with you and the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs to insure that you have a fair opportunity to perform in the course.


    Return to Home Page

    http://www.bobyoungresources.com/academics/s98-312.htm