Biblical Literary Forms

Course Description

Every written message is captured within a literary form presumably known to the reader. Not knowing the intended form of a message can lead to misunderstandings. If a message was written over 2,000 years ago, then knowing the intended literary form or genre is a challenge. This course is designed to acquaint course participants with some of the key literary forms found in the Bible. Participants will grow in their ability to read and understand the Bible through a study of these literary forms and by sharing reflections on the Sunday Scriptures

*Note: All participants must have their own copy of And God Said What? An Introduction to Biblical Literary Forms for Bible Lovers by Margaret Nutting Ralph (Paulist Press, 2003).

Course Content

Unit 1

• Introduction to Form Criticism
• Literary Forms: the Bible and the Gospels

Unit 2

• Literary Forms: Myth and Legend

Unit 3

• Literary Forms: Debate and Fiction

Unit 4

• Literary Forms: Parable and Allegory

Unit 5

• Literary Forms: Letters and Revelation

Course Format

• Created by Notre Dame Theology Professor.
• Six weeks in duration, with one week for orientation.
• Typically 15-20 students in each course.
• Supplemental resources are provided to encourage further exploration of topic.
• Weekly written assignments (150-200 words) required.
• Weekly facilitator moderated chat sessions with students in course.

Required Texts

• All participants must have their own copy of And God Said What? An Introduction to Biblical Literary Forms for Bible Lovers by Margaret Nutting Ralph (Paulist Press, 2003).
• All other course material available online in the course.

Participation Requirements

Requirements for course include:

• Weekly reading of assigned texts.
• Participation in class discussion using discussion area (minimum 2 comments, questions or responses weekly.)
• Weekly written assignment (150-200 words.)
• Weekly chat session with other students in course (3 required throughout course.)
• Course evaluation.

Time Expectations

• 4 to 6 hours a week (time varies from student to student depending on your learning style and schedule.)

Course Certificate

A Certificate of Completion awarding 25 Contact Hours will be sent upon completion of all course requirements.

Meet the Developer

Rev. Michael Driscoll

Rev. Driscoll's scholarly interests are in the area of liturgy and sacramental theology. He has published a monograph and numerous articles in journals such as Worship, Ecclesia Orans and Traditio. His major interests are medieval liturgy and sacramental theology, most notably in the Carolingian period. For the past several years he has collaborated on the Byzantine St. Stephen's Monastery Project in Jerusalem, Israel. He has served as convener of the study groups in Medieval Liturgy for the North American Academy of Liturgy, and in January 2001 was elected Vice-President (2001) and President-Elect (2002). In August 2001 he was elected to the Council of the Societas Liturgica, an international and ecumenical society of liturgists. He has also served the Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy, a standing committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, as a liturgical advisor. B.A., Carroll College (Helena, MT), 1969; S.T.B., Gregorian University (Rome), 1977; S.T.L., Saint Anselmo (Rome), 1980; S.T.D., Institut Catholique (Paris), 1986; Ph.D., University of Paris Sorbonne, 1986