MT570/670/770/870: Analyzing Text and Context (4 units)

R. Daniel Shaw, Professor of Anthropology and Translation
Winter 2006 Pasadena

DESCRIPTION:

What do Gospel proclaimers need to know about text (Biblical or otherwise) and the context in which it was communicated? This methods course seeks to enable students to answer that question. It is based on a discourse analysis approach to understanding the nature and context of text. By appreciating the structure of a text, students will be able to account for (1) an author’s intended meaning, (2) how the message was understood in its original context, and (3) how that message can be transferred into a contemporary context. The seminar offers an orientation to communication principles, exegesis and idiomatic translation. It accounts for cultural, exegetical, linguistic and semantic data within a text. The course is ideal for doctoral students incorporating Biblical text into their research and/or applying translation principles to effective communication.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Identify the genre of a text and the implications of that as it applies to authorial intent.
• Ability to identify the key elements of a text and the rationale for each part of a text.
• Understand the relationships between the parts of a text and the implications for communicating the author’s intended meaning.
• Appreciate the impact of the context in which a text was communicated on the meaning of the text and how that might impact translating the text into another context.

COURSE FORMAT:

The course will meet once a week. Discussion will be based on pre-reading and an application of discourse analysis to a body of text chosen by the student. There will be a required orientation session for the doctoral students (tba) to go over reading requirements and ensure understanding of seminar format and expectations. MA/Th.M. students should contact Dr. Shaw as soon as you know you will be attending this course. It is imperative that you leave sufficient time for pre-reading.

REQUIRED READING:

Pre-reading is required BEFORE the course begins. Class time will be devoted to actual analysis based on an application of the reading.
Beekman, Callow & Kopesic. Semantic Structure of Written Communication. Dallas: I.A.B. Latest edition.
deBeaugrande & Dressler. Introduction to Text Linguistics. Longman. 1981.
Callow, K. Discourse Considerations in TWOG. Zondervan. (reproduced in syllabus).
Gutt, Earnst-August. Relevance Theory: A Guide . . . Dallas: SIL/UBS. (latest Edition)
Sperber, D., & D. Wilson. Relevance. Blackwell. 1996.
Shaw, R. D., & C. Van Engen. Communicating the Gospel in a Complex World: God’s truth or Hocus Pocus? Rowman & Littlefield. 2003.

ASSIGNMENTS:

Students will chose a biblical passage or text from a cultural context with which they are familiar for analysis during the course. Weekly assignments will apply the steps of analysis to this text chosen by each student to benefit their research needs.

Th.M. Students: Add a two-page paper indicating how this course content fits into the conceptualization, research and writing for their thesis.
Doctoral students: Need to apply their text analysis to their doctoral research. They will make a critiqued presentation of their analysis showing the relevance to their doctoral research. They will also rewrite the methodological section of their research design or proposal to show the impact of this method on their research.

PREREQUISITES: None. Theologizing in Mission and/or an understanding of translation principles is helpful.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: M.A./Th.M.: option to meet research requirement; Doctoral: meets 4-units of methods.

FINAL EXAM: None.

Last Date Edited: September 26, 2005