Religious Studies 207 Exam date: Wednesday,
December 13
The Gospels/Paul’s Letters
REVISED FINAL
EXAM REVIEW: Due to the snow day
that caused us to miss a critical class period, plus the fact that the good
class discussion throughout the semester has put us slightly behind, I have to
revise the final exam and alter the point total for the course. Here are the details:
1) unfortunately, we will not be able to cover the Universal
(Catholic) Epistles or Revelations.
There will be no final exam questions on these books.
2) We will not have a separate quiz on The Gospels. The Gospel quiz will be rolled into the final
exam to replace questions on the other Epistles (letters) and Revelations.
3) The point total for the entire course will be
reduced to 200 possible points from 225 possible points.
Instructions: Please bring your take-home essay, paper, and a #2 pencil to the exam.
You may use a Bible during exams but not your notes or Harris (our textbook).
Exam format: 35 computer-graded multiple-choice
questions worth 1 point each (35 possible points); 20 short answer
identifications, you choose any 10, worth 2 points each (20 possible points);
hand in the take home essay
(20 possible points for an exam total of 75 points).
Information
sources:
Understanding
the Bible (Harris): Chapters 11
& 12, pp. 343-425 for the Gospels; Chapter 14, pp. 448-502 for Paul’s
letters
http://www.wiu.edu/users/mfjks
or WesternOnline = PowerPoint notes; three
files = “The Gospels: Intro & Mark, “Matthew, Luke, John,” and “Paul.”
Under Religious Studies 207 (most of the questions will be drawn from the PP
notes).
Key Class
Themes and Concepts:
The Gospels
(Mark, Matthew, Luke-Acts, John)
Please be
familiar with: the three historical stages in the creation of the Gospels; the Two-Document
theory (p. 351); their respective use of sources and materials unique to
each Gospel; the similarities and differences between the Synoptic Gospels and
John; the image (portrait) they present of the life and teaching of Jesus; the
audience of the respective Gospels; the basic outline of Acts.
Paul and his Letters (1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2
Corinthians, Galatians, Romans, Philippians, Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians,
and the Pastoral Epistles.
Please be
familiar with: Paul’s key ideas as the first interpreter of the life and
teaching of Jesus ; the cultural background, topics,
and reasons that caused Paul (or Paul’s followers) to write each letter; the
reasons why scholars doubt authentic Pauline authorship on many of the later
letters; the various challenge Paul faced in guiding the new religious movement
that became Christianity.
Take home essay: on the day of the final exam (Wednesday,
December 13), please bring your completed essay to class. There is no time
limit on writing your essay, and you can use any of our class materials –
PowerPoint notes, textbook, the Bible, outside sources, etc. – in answering the
question. It will probably take between 3 and 4 pages to answer the essay
question, roughly 7 to 8 paragraphs, 400-500
words. You are always welcome to expand
further should you be so moved! The
essays may be typed or handwritten, though double-spaced typing is
preferred. The essay is worth 20 points
for an exam total of 75 possible points.
Since we are not covering The
Revelation to John, I would like you to focus on the first question on Paul
and his influence on Christianity.
However, if you have already started an essay on Revelations, please
feel free to complete it and hand it in at the final exam: Please answer one of
the following two questions:
1. Agree or disagree with the following
statement: “There would be no Christianity without Paul.” Please be specific in describing
Paul’s contribution to the emergence of a new religious movement now known as
Christianity. Identify Paul’s major
themes and topics and illustrate them by providing examples from his letters.
2, Using examples from The Revelation to John (Book of
Revelation), illustrate the characteristics of apocalypticism.
In your informed opinion, why do you think the apocalyptic worldview has been
and continues to be so popular?
Students are rightfully concerned about the criteria an
instructor uses to evaluate and grade exam essays. The following information will not only help
you interpret your grade but should streamline the grading process in
general. As you know, the exam essays
are worth 20 possible points each. In
terms of the points assigned to particular criteria, I will be breaking down
the grading process as follows:
Open criterion: for handing in an essay at the exam, per syllabus and review sheet instructions, grading starts at a C level. You will receive:
possible points = 12
Criterion #1: the
paper meets the assignment parameters in terms of length and theme and is free
from spelling and grammatical errors; the essay demonstrates college level
writing skills on the part of the author (no awkward sentence structure,
incomplete sentences, run-on sentences, wrong tense/word usage, etc.): possible points = 2
Criterion #2: the
paper accurately and clearly answers the essay question; key points are
well-supported by evidence drawn from our text, the video interviews and
documentaries seen in class, or other materials and outside evidence documented
in an appropriate fashion: possible points = 4
Criterion #3: CREATIVITY!
– originality, style, sparkling insights, and
exceptional writing will be rewarded!
Possible points = 2
20 points
Thank You!