English 354–The Bible as Literature and in Literature and the Arts

Midterm Examination Preparation Gude

The midterm exam consists of an essay about 500 words long on a topic involving several of the works read so far. You need to support your general claims with reference to specific incidents and characters, though you dont need to cite chapter and verse. This is a closed book exam.

On the exam you will be given three of the following topics from which you will choose one. The essay will be marked with a letter grade that counts 10% of the final grade. If you indicate that you are taking this class for GWR credit, the essay will also be marked "pass" or "no-pass." A passing essay contains a clear thesis and several unified, coherent paragraphs providing specific evidence supporting their topic sentences, and no more than two or three grammatical or punctuation errors.

1. Comparison and contrast of David and Moses as political and religious leaders
2. A discussion of the arguments for and against monarchy stated in the texts and exemplified in the historical events it chronicles.
3. The meaning of "deliverance."
4. The strategy of trickery, disguise and entrapment as practised by God and humans.
5. The practise of interpretation of signs, symbols, dreams and texts by characters in and readers of the Bible.
6. Miracles, spectacle and wonder within the Biblical stories, the experience of readers, and the creative art inspired by the Bible, including film.
7. The portrayal of love and lust in Genesis, Judges, Samuel and Kings