DESCRIPTION: The course covers the books in the third section of the Hebrew Scriptures: Psalms, Job, Proverbs, the Scrolls (Ruth, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Lamentations, and Esther), Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Chronicles.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of the course students should have demonstrated that they have (1) read these books and reflected on their meaning and significance; (2) considered the importance of the wisdom books in our world against their Middle Eastern background; (3) gained expertise in approaches to interpreting the Psalms; (4) perceived the way Israel's story is retold and extended in the Old Testament and its significance in our world; and (5) considered approaches to the interpretation of Old Testament short stories and their significance for women and men today.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: My aim is that by the end of the course students should have become convinced about the wide-ranging significance of these books for our life with God and committed to shaping their lives by them and using them in their mission and ministry.

COURSE FORMAT: The course meets weekly for one three-hour class; in addition students take part in one hour's online discussion each weekend. Classes then combine lecture and plenary discussion, with some dramatized reading, creative writing, and listening to recorded material. Classes require on average four hours of homework preparation for each three-hour class, including study of the biblical text and other specified reading, which is then the basis for the online discussion.

REQUIRED READING:

NRSV or TNIV Bible.

Arnold, B. T., and H. G. M. Williamson, eds. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books. InterVarsity Press, 2005.

Longman, Tremper, and Peter Enns, eds. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings. InterVarsity Press, 2008.

Syllabus and Course Notes, posted on Moodle during finals week of the quarter before the course.

Brenner, A., ed. A Feminist Companion to the Wisdom Literature, A Feminist Companion to the Song of Songs, A Feminist Companion to Ruth. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1995, 1993, and 1993. Also subsequent volumes in this series edited by Brenner.

Brueggemann, W. The Message of the Psalms. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1984.

______. The Psalms and the Life of Faith. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1995.

Crenshaw, J. Old Testament Wisdom. Atlanta: John Knox, 1981/London: SCM, 1982; rev. ed., 1999.

Goldingay, J. Old Testament Theology, Volumes One and Two. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2003 and 2006.

Gunn, D., and D. N. Fewell. Narrative in the Hebrew Bible. Oxford/New York: Oxford University Press, 1993.

Kidner, D. The Wisdom of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1985 (= Wisdom to Live By. Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1985).

1. Attendance at classes, preparation homework, and participation in online discussion (pass/fail).

2. Two papers, each 2500-3000 words. The grade comes from these papers (each 50%), subject to reduction for missing a class or failing to post satisfactory preparation homework or to take part in online discussion.