Syllabus

Understanding Jesus

By Pam Reponen

Professor: Rev. William Reiser, S.J.

Department: Religious Studies

Description: An examination of the figure of Jesus drawing especially on the Gospel of Mark. The class focuses on the historical context of Jesus’ life and ministry, theological claims the evangelist makes about Jesus, and the challenge the Gospel presents to the church today.
Course objectives: To teach students how to read a gospel text both critically and reverently, and to formulate a contemporary answer to the question, “But who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29)

Texts: The Gospel of Mark, by John Donahue and Daniel Harrington, and the New Revised Standard Version Bible

Requirements: Three papers, three period-length tests, and class participation

Professor quote: “It is my hope that the students taking this course will come to know Jesus through his relationship with the crowds he encountered in the gospel story, especially the poor and marginalized—to those ‘outside the door.’ To understand Jesus, we need to see him in relationship with his people.”

Professor’s bio: Before joining the religious studies faculty in 1978, Fr. Reiser completed doctoral studies at Vanderbilt University. He has also been involved for some 20 years in the Hispanic community of Worcester, and does summer teaching in Bolivia; from 1988-2003, Fr. Reiser directed an inner-city outreach program sponsored by the Jesuits called Casa Santa Maria. Among his writings are Jesus in Solidarity with His People (required course reading) and To Hear God’s Word, Listen to the World.

Student quote: “Understanding Jesus was an amazing class—engaging and very interesting,” says Mark Eckardt ’09. “I was amazed that we were able to spend an entire semester reading the Gospel of Mark. Every story and every line in the Gospel has so much detail and such a deeper meaning that can be missed if it is just read normally. Because I took this class, I do feel like I have a closer connection to my religion; I am able to relate and apply some of the stories I learned in class to daily life; and I have a far greater understanding of the story of Jesus.”