DESCRIPTION: This is an online survey course of the third division of the Old Testament (Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and 1-2 Chronicles.). A close reading of the biblical text will familiarize the student with the themes, motifs, and historical contexts in which the books in this section were composed. Development of exegetical skills will arise from a focused discussion on the theological, historical, and literary characteristics of each book. The course will explore the biblical text's role in critical scholarship and the church's ongoing theological reflection.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The course is intended to introduce the students to key historical, political, and theological issues in the Writings. It promotes critical attentiveness to the polyphony that characterizes the biblical text. Knowledge and understanding of the society, culture, and historical background of the biblical world are essential in unlocking the multilayered meaning embedded in the text and articulating an informed theological discourse.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing the course will have demonstrated:

1. Familiarity with the biblical text under study.

2. Acquisition of critical tools for the interpretation of the Old Testament.

3. Ability to identify the most salient themes throughout the literary corpus.

4. Familiarity with the historical, socio-political, and religious background of the books.

5. Ability to extrapolate the theological message of the text.

NRSV, TNIV or CEB Bible.

Childs, Brevard S. Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture. Reprint ed. Philadelphia: Augsburg Fortress, 2011. ISBN: 978-0800698331, $36.00.

Crenshaw, James L. Old Testament Wisdom: An Introduction. 3rd ed. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2010. ISBN: 978-0664234591, $35.00.

Perdue, Leo G. Blackwell Companion to the Hebrew Bible. Oxford: Blackwell, 2001. ISBN: 978-1405127202, $52.95.

Reading material posted on Moodle. See the following sampling:

Anderson, Bernhard W. "The Place of the Book of Esther in the Christian Bible." Journal of Religion 30 (1950): 32-43.

Boling, Robert G. "Synonymous Parallelism in the Psalms." Journal of Semitic Studies 5 (1960): 221-255.

De Vries, Simon J. "Moses and David as Cult founders in Chronicles." Journal of Biblical Literature 107 (1988): 619-639.

Dobbs-Allsopp, F. W. "Tragedy, Tradition, and Theology in the Book of Lamentations." Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 74 (1997): 29-60.

Murphy, Roland E. "Religious Dimensions of Israelite Wisdom." In Ancient Israelite Religion: Essays in Honor of Frank Moore Cross, ed. P. D. Miller, P. D. Hanson and S. D. McBride. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1987. 49-58.

Sharp, Carolyn J. "The Trope of `Exile' and the Displacement of Old Testament Theology." Perspectives in Religious Studies 31 (2004): 153-169.

1. Completion of weekly assigned reading material and submission of a response paper (30 %).

2. Regular posting of answers, comments, and reflections on the instructor and other participants' questions and writings (20%).

3. Midterm examination. The exam will test the student's knowledge of the course material and ability to engage it in a critical discussion. It will contain brief essay questions dealing with the historical, theological, and interpretive issues relevant to the material discussed in class (20%).

4. A final exegesis paper (10 pages) that requires a focused discussion on a specific theme, motif, and/or issue relevant to the biblical passage of the student's selection (30%).