RST 310 - Jesus: History and Afterlives (3)

The first half of this course will focus on a) the historical and religious context of Jesus’ life and teachings; b) the primary texts about Jesus; and c) scholarly reconstructions of Jesus’ life and teachings. The second half of this course will examine how Jesus has been interpreted in cultural discourses such as art, literature, film, and other popular cultural genres. Upon successful completion of the course, students will a) be conversant with the primary texts about Jesus; b) have engaged various scholarly understandings of Jesus’ life and message; c) have examined the continuing reciprocal influence that exists between Jesus and the western aesthetic tradition; and d) have started to form their own informed view(s) of the subject matter through reading primary and secondary sources, in-class discussion, firsthand experience, and independent research.

Offered even fall terms.