1. To become familiar with the primary documents pertaining to Biblical studies and become proficient in using them to augment one's understanding of canonical texts.

2. To develop reading strategies for ancient literature particularly by locating texts in their geographic, literary, and ideological contexts.

3. To produce a commentary on Acts using nothing but primary texts.

4. To identify and trace at least one theological/philosophical concept through the primary texts to see how and why it is dealt with in various ways by various communities/authors.

CLASS ASSIGNMENTS:

1.  Readings: Each student will read the assigned material as outlined on the calendar below. S/he will add marginal comments which explain how the passage augments our understanding of a specific phrase or text out of the book of Acts. In addition, s/he will highlight any passages which address his/her theological topic.

2. Presentation: Each week each student will have five minutes to report on their highlighted items and marginal comments. The class will then arbitrate which highlights should be added to the final commentary.

3. Paper: Each student will be responsible for his/her own chapters of Acts (or other passage as assigned by the moderator). In addition, each student will be responsible for combining all the student comments into a single document (as divided up by the moderator). Thus, each student will be responsible for producing an edited copy of some of the original sources and each student will be responsible for the final commentary on Acts for his/her chapter.

Most readings can be found in one of the following sites:

Library of Ancient Texts Online
Greek and Roman Authors
Perseus
Josephus
Philo
 

8/26    Introduction

9/2      Cicero (106–43 b.c.e.), Roman philosopher, politician, and lawyer.

           Purchase Selected Works of Cicero (tr. Harry M. Hubbeli; Roslyn, NY: Walter Black, Inc., 1948). Read “Second Speech Against Verres,” “Letters on his Consulship and Exile” and “Selection from The Republic: Scipio’s Dream,” “Letters on the Civil War,” “Letter After Caesar’s Assassination,” and “First Philippic Against Mark Antony.”

9/9     Lucretius (99–55 b.c.e.) Roman poet and philosopher.
AP 404 reads "On the Nature of Things," books 1-3; AP 405 adds books 4-6

9/16    Seneca the Elder (c. 54 b.c.e. – c. 39 c.e.) Roman rhetorician and equestrian
AP 404 reads books 1-3; AP 405 adds books 4-6. You must purchase this book.

9/23    Philo (20 b.c.e.– 50 c.e.) Hellenistic Jewish Philosopher
AP 404 Read: Flaccus, Hypothetica, Embassy to Gaius, and Every Good Man is Free
AP 405 Add any essays from Philo totaling approximately 100 pages.

9/30    Josephus (37– c. 100 c.e.) Hellenistic Jewish Historian
AP404 will read Wars of the Jews book 1, chapter 14 through book 2, chapter 9 and books 4-6. AP405 will also read the parallel sections in Antiquities of the Jews using the parallel tool at: http://pace.mcmaster.ca/York/york/parallels.htm.

10/7    Dio Chrysostom (c. 40–120 c.e.) Roman orator, writer, philosopher, and historian.
AP 404 Read: Discourses On Kingship, Cynic, Roman Overlords, Corinthian; AP 405 adds Hunter, Olympic,
AND Quintilian (c. 35 – c. 100 a.d.) Roman rhetorician
AP 404 Read: Intitutio Oratia 4; AP 405 Intitutio Oratia 5

10/14  Reading Break. Lecture on Jewish Background Literature

10/21  Plutarch (46–120 c.e.) a Greek historian and biographer
AP404 reads Theseus & Romulus; Alexander & Caesar; Tiberius & Caius;

            AP405 adds Lysander & Sulla; Agesilaus & Pompey; Aratus; Artaxerxes; Galba; Otho.

10/28  Tacitus (56–117 c.e.) Roman senator and historian.
AP404 reads Annals; AP405 adds Histories.

11/4    Suetonius (c. 69/75–after 130 c.e.) Roman equestrian and historian.
AP404 Twelve Caesars (up through Nero)
AP405 Galba and following

11/11  Epictetus (55–135 c.e.) Greek Stoic philosopher
AP404 reads discourses 1&2; AP405 adds discourse 3 & 4

11/18  Lucius Flavius Philostratus the Athenian (c. 170–247 c.e.) Greek Biographer
AP 404 reads Life of Apollonius volume 1; AP405 adds volume 2