RS 90: Early Christian Studies

Take home final exam

Due by 5 pm on Monday, December 11, 2017 to Sakai Drop Box.

 

Final exam should be typed, double-spaced. Please clearly identify which questions you are answering.


Please note: Word counts below are meant to give you a rough guideline; please do not be concerned if your word count is a bit under or over, and please do not spend hours adding in words or pruning out words to make a specific word count.

 

Part one: Essays (70%)
Answer TWO OUT OF FOUR questions below, in around 750-1000 words per question. Your answers do not have to have a particular thesis or argument; they should be well-organized and clear. Indicate which question you are answering on your paper.

 

In answering these questions, you should make liberal use of any and all readings (primary and secondary sources) that we have done for this class. You may not do any additional research or use outside readings. Please indicate by title and page number (or, in the case of ancient sources, title and chapter number) sources whenever you cite or refer to them.

 

1. Bodies in context: Describe some of the ways that ancient people understood their bodies: individual bodies, social bodies, medical bodies, political bodies, and so forth. How were ancient conceptions of the body similar to and different from modern conceptions?

 

2. Gendered bodies: Choose two or more early Christian texts that we read for this class, and explain the role that gender plays in their discussion of early Christian bodies.

 

3. Bodies in progress: Discuss some of the ways that early Christians used their bodies to achieve holiness or salvation. You may discuss specific bodily activities (fasting, celibacy, prayer, etc.) or more general ideas of bodily transformation (asceticism, sainthood, resurrection, etc.). Be sure to use specific examples from ancient texts.

 

4. Cosmic bodies: Focusing on two or more texts or movements from the class readings, discuss different ways that Christian understanding of their bodies was shaped by distinct views of the creation of the universe and humans' place in it.

Part Two: Illustrations (30%)
Answer both questions in about 200-300 words per question.
Your answers do not have to have a particular thesis or argument; they should be well-organized and clear. Indicate which question you are answering on your paper.

1. This text says it all! Pick one ancient text that we read this semester that you would share with someone to illustrate the issues, dynamics, and questions that animated this course. Explain what it is, briefly summarize it, and explain why you picked it.

2. This image shows it all! Search online for an image that you think illustrates (in a direct or indirect fashion) the issues, dynamics, and questions, that animated this course. Explain what it is, briefly describe it, and explain why you picked it. The image does NOT have to be from the early Christian period. If you can, attach the image to your final exam document; you can also upload it to Sakai separately, labeled "exam image."