THEO7045 · Theology

The Gospels and Acts in Literary Perspective

Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences

Only within the last four decades have literary theory and methodology begun to take their place alongside traditional historical methods in the critical study of New Testament narrative. In this seminar we will trace the emergence of literary approaches within the discipline, map and evaluate the diversity of literary critical methods advocated by leading theorists, and develop knowledge and skills for interpreting the Gospels and Acts not simply as rough repositories of historical data, but as integrated literary works. We will give special attention to basic narrative elements (e.g., narration, plot, characterization, settings, timing, rhetoric) and to the roles of readers and critics in the generation of meaning.