Summer 2002
9:30 am to 10:45 am on MTWR 148 Russ Engineering Center
Our goal is to explore the real lives of early Christians: their social locations, their family relationships, their entertainments and cultural assumptions, their vocations and avocations, their relations to their neighbors and their governments, and their place in the religious spectrum of the Roman world. Since these facets of the lives of the ancients are not directly available to us we will work to reconstruct them by reading an ancient, somewhat racy, novel, two monographs (one on families and one on Roman cultural practices), and a selection of ancient documents from various collections.
Instructor: Dr. David L. Barr, 421 Millett, 775‑2293 or 2274 (dept, leave message).
The best way to contact me is by E-mail: david.barr@Wright.Edu;
you will also find additional information on my web page: www.wright.edu/~david.barr
Textbooks:
Requirements &Grading
1. Attend all classes unless exceptional circumstances arise; in which case, let me know (email is ok). There will be regular in-class writing assignments that cannot be made up if missed. You will be well-served to do the assigned reading for the day.
2. Research and present an in-class report on some aspect of the everyday lives of early Christians. A partial list of such topics is attached below. You should show the general cultural approach to your subject and then, insofar as possible, suggest how Christians experienced the same issues. Prepare a handout with your title, thesis statement, main points, and suggestions for further reading. Due beginning July 1. See Bibliography and the Web for ideas.
3. Show mastery of course material on a final examination--the nature of which we will negotiate as the time approaches.
Grading will be based on attendance, in-class writing and quizzes, your oral report, and a final exam. Class work, report and final will each count 1/3 of the grade. You will be graded on what you know and how well you write and speak, not on what you believe or whether you agree with the professor.
Graduate students should consult me about additional expectations.
June
10 M Introduction to the Course and to the Hellenistic-Roman World
11 T Family, Friends, and Society: A Glimpse from a Comic Novel
Apulieus books 1 & 2 (30-69); Casson 1-9; Martin 3-15; Families 5-23
12 W Everyday Reality
Apuleius books 3 (70-87); Casson 10-23; Sourcebook 1-28; Families 24-35
13 Th Understanding Culture Casson 24-47; Families 36-47; Apuleius 4 (88-109)
17 M Patrons/Clients, Men/Women/Children Casson 48-56; Families 48-73; Apuleius 5 (110-128)
18 T Slaves in the Family Casson 57-64; Families 74-87; Apuleius 6 (129-147)
19 W Soldiers, Burial Societies, and Religious Organizations Casson 77-83; Sourcebook 64-73, 106-109
20 Th The Social Location of Christians Families 91-102; Apuleius 7 (148-164); Casson 65-76.
24 M What Was the Nature of Traditional Piety? Martin 2 (35-57); Sourcebook 79-84, 103-105; Apuleius 8 (165-184); Casson 84-97.
25 T Offenses to Traditional Piety. Sourcebook 152-72; Apuleius 9 (185-211)
26 W Religion and Society Apuleius 10 (212-234); Sourcebook 119-37; Casson 98-108.
27 Th Gender Roles, Marriage, Celibacy Families 103-55;
July
1 M Redemption by Rite Apuleius 11 (235-54); Sourcebook 29-49; Martin 3 (58-89)
2 T What can we Learn from Apuleius? Review your notes from Apuleius and read Martin 1 (16-29); Sourcebook 138-47; Casson 109-24.
3 W Religion and Social Change Martin 4 (90-133); Sourcebook 74-78; Casson 124-46
4 Th Independence Day.
8 M Christianity and the Intellectual Tradition Martin 5 (134-62); Sourcebook 202-206;
9 T Education, Women and Slaves Families 156-192
10 W Family Life Families 193-222
11 Th Final Examination
Partial List of Topics for Oral Reports: