Bible as Literature/Ms.

Mumford
rmumford@cathedral.org
Spring 2015
Final Quarter: Bible Bookmaking Project
The word Bible comes from the Greek word biblia, which means books. Writers and
artists for millennia have interpreted this collection of books to speak to their own
interests and concerns. Using your calligraphy skills and your choice of illustration
techniques, you will make a miniature bible, your interpretive edition of a Bible
passage. You will then read and respond to a class members bible for your final paper.
There is no final exam for this class. Your artwork and your paper will allow you to
synthesize your work this semester.
We will meet in the library to work with Mr. Lucas during the weeks of April 27 - May 6.
Task

Due
Date

Step 1: Choose a Bible passage for your book.

Wed 4/1
You may choose from the attached list of suggested passages or
propose a different passage.
Your selection is due to me by email by class on Wednesday,
April 1.
Step 2: Write your passage in calligraphy.
Use scriptorium classes April 1 - 22.
If you need extra time, please come during office hour on B, E,
and F days!

Wed 4/22

Step 3: Illustrate your manuscript to reflect your

interpretation of the passage.
You may do hand-drawn or painted art, digital collage, or
another design format. Use scriptorium on April 22-23 and
library classes on April 27-30.
Your manuscript should include:
an historiated uncial (versal) show an aspect of this
story in a contemporary setting
another illustration conveys a specific interpretive lens
(womanist, queer, feminist, or another perspective)
Optional: decorative margins have fun with the design!

Thu 4/30

Step 4: Prepare your digital manuscript (CLASS IN

LIBRARY - April 27-May 7)
Scan your calligraphy
Scan/photograph any hand-drawn artwork
Arrange digital files into book layout
Manuscript ready to print by the end of class on May 7

Thu 5/7

Step 5: Complete illuminated manuscript and project

self-reflection
I will teach you a simple method in class to apply gold

Tue 5/12

Complet
ed

illumination to your bible. Your illuminated bible is due at

the end of class on May 12.
Complete the project self-reflection sheet.
Step 6: Bible response paper
Thu 5/21
You will study another students bible and write a 3-page
response paper (see separate rubric). You will have two days for
in-class work (May 15 and May 18). Your final paper is due by
email to me on Thursday, May 21.

Bible as Literature/ Final Bookmaking Project

Student:
PROJECT RUBRIC

Task
Project completion
Included all required project elements (complete Bible
passage, historiated uncial, interpretive illustration,
decorative margins, and illumination).
Time management
Completed tasks by due dates
Used class time effectively to complete work and supported
classmates in maintaining focus on work.
Craftsmanship
Exhibited care for tools and materials in producing
calligraphy, artwork, and digital assembly. Cleaned up all
materials after use.
Final draft of manuscript and artwork is neat (not folded, no
remaining pencil lines or rough draft marks). Organized
computer files so that you can keep track of your most recent
work.
Creative effort
Artwork, design, and layout show creative and original effort
and risk-taking.
Explored a variety of options for artistic design. Tried out
ideas in draft form and combined ideas for final product.
Willing to deal creatively with a mistake (such as
incorporating it into the design in a new way, fixing it
somehow, or redoing the element).
Interpretive analysis
Historiated uncial shows clear and insightful application of
the Bible passage to a contemporary setting. How do you
translate characters and setting to a modern context?
Illustration conveys understanding and application of a
specific interpretive lens to the Bible passage. What features
of the story are of most interest to this method of
interpretation? How does this method highlight certain
themes, characters, events, and questions?
Self-reflection on project work
Thorough completion of self-reflection sheet.

Points
Earned
/50

/5

/5

/10

/20

/10

TOTAL

/
100

Feedback:

Bible as Literature/Final Bookmaking Project

SELF-REFLECTION SHEET- Due on Tuesday, May 12
Student Name: ________________________________________________
Please note that there are questions on both sides of this sheet. Thank you!
1. What interpretive lens did you use for your illustration, and why?

2. How did your understanding of your Bible passage change through your work on
the project?

3. What do you wish you had spent more time on or done differently?

4. What part of the project did you do your best work on?

5. What skills did you learn that you hope to use in the future?

6. How did you take a risk during this project? When did you push yourself beyond
your normal limits? Did you try something beyond what the basic requirements of
the project?

7. What is the most important thing you learned in this project?

8. What was the most enjoyable part of the project?

9. What was the least enjoyable part of the project?

10.How could the teacher change this project to make it better next time?