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RLG 465S Christian Origins II/Peter Richardson

RLG 3240S Early Christian Literature: Ephesus/Thursdays 10.10 - 12.00

Office: UC H-13; 978-7149. Email: prchrdsn@chass.utoronto.ca

Office hourse: Tuesday 10.00 to noon; Wednesdays 2.00 to 4.00

Web site <http://www.chass.utoronto.ca:8080/~prchrdsn/

An examination of selected Christian and related literature associated with Ephesus (some possibilities: Ephesians; Ignatius, Ephesians; Revelation; John; 1-3 John; Justin, Dialogue with Trypho, Apology of Quadratus [?], Polycrates' letter to Victor,, Acts of John, and so on). The development of early "heretical" groups in the region would be relevant, as also would be martyrdoms, apologies, inter-Christian controversies (e.g., the Quartodeciman controversy), and son so. In general, early Christian developments will be analyzed and interpreted against the background of the city and its region.

Open to qualified graduate students and advanced undergraduate students with permission of instructor (graduate students in a literature related discipline will usually be expected to read primary texts in the original languages and to read secondary literature other than English).

Textbooks

There are no formal textbooks for the course. Most of the literature to which we shall refer is available on the internet, so there should be no need to buy expensive editions unless you wish to. If you wish to purchase something, the two most useful texts, in addition to having a copy of the New Testament, will be the Apostolic Fathers (Loeb Library, Ante-Nicene Fathers, Lightfoot), and also Justin's Dialogue with Trypho.

As background reading early in the seminar, we will make extensive use of Helmut Koester, editor, Ephesos. Metropolis of Asia : an interdisciplinary approach to its archaeology, religion, and culture (Valley Forge: TPI, 1995). 

Evaluation

This is a seminar, in which participation and research ability are fundamental elements:

Seminar participation, two formal presentations	30
Seminar participation, regular contributions	05
Preliminary bibliographical assignment	15
Major research essay	50

Syllabus

6 January 2000	Outline of course, introduction, history, literature	Richardson	.	.
13 January	Judaism in Asia; character of the polis; slides on Asia	Richardson	.	.
20 January	Slides of Ephesus	Richardson	.	.
27 January	Literature: Strabo, Josephus	Bennett	Hicks	.
3 February	Literature: Acts & Acts of Paul, Papias, Ignatius	LaFosse	Rakowski	Hussain
10 February	Romans 16, Colossians/Philemon, Acts of John	Omori	Kennedy	Bellsmith
17 February	Reading Week	.	.	.
24 February	Apologetic literature	Bennett	Richardson	.
2 March	Mary in Ephesus	Hicks	Richardson	.
9 March	Justin's Dialogue	Rakowski	Richardson	.
16 March	Pastorals 1-3 John	Lafosse Kennedy	Richardson	.
23 March	Apocalypse of John Montanism	Hussain Bellsmith	Richardson	.
30 March	Melito of Sardis	Omori	Richardson	.
6 April	Summary, wrap-up and prospects	Richardson	.	.

Research Essay

Seminar Presentations

Students will be responsible for two or three (number to be confirmed) presentations on topics assigned, approximately 30 minutes long, and for whatever hand-outs might be necessary. The second presentation may focus on the student’s research project, and be a kind of "research-in-progress" type of report. I am available for consultation.

Research Project

The research project comprises both a preliminary essay and a major essay, and one of the two seminar presentations may also focus on the same project. The project is to be concerned with some aspect of the history and development of early Christianity in Ephesus, preferably in the context of Judaism and/or Roman religion. Each project will be negotiated with the student early in the term.

The preliminary essay has two parts: (1) a coherent statement of the problem that is at the heart of the research project (about 2 pages); (2) an annotated bibliography of the resources available, including both primary data and secondary analyses.

The major essay should be a mature piece of work, correct in style and form, that makes a persuasive argument about the topic selected. It may, though it need not, follow the pattern description, analysis, and interpretation.

Electronic Communication

It is assumed that students will have access to electronic communication. E-mail is preferred for questions; a small discussion group will be set up Additional material may from time to time be posted on my site on the Internet. I would welcome an initial query by email from those interested in registering in the course.

Study-Tours and Archaeological Excavations

I occasionally lead study-tours (available for credit) to some of Paul's areas of activity. The emphasis is on understanding the religious and cultural complexity of the region in the period 300 BCE to 300 CE; see the relevant page in this website [guide].

There are always archaeological digs available for credit. I have been associated with Cana in Galilee [see Khirbet Cana at http://www.nexfind.com/ and Cana of the Galilee at http://www.ups.edu/religion/cana/canahome.htm], which I would encourage you to consider joining, but it is easy to get information on lots of others. For infomration, see the Cana website or other links in this website [links].

Special Lectures

Many additional lectures are sponsored by various parts of the university and by outside organizations. For a listing of some of them, see from time to time occasional lectures.