Fall 2014/Pasadena
OT567
Butler
OT567: JEREMIAH (ENGLISH TEXT) (4 Units: 160 Hours). James T. Butler.
DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to provide an overview of the historical context and the theological issues of the book of Jeremiah as well as an opportunity for careful examination of representative passages. Lectures will treat the historical background of the prophet’s ministry, the themes of his message and the literary forms of their expression, and the shaping of the Jeremianic corpus in the exilic period.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete this course will have demonstrated
(1) a fundamental knowledge of the literary forms and thematic content of the book of Jeremiah; (2) an acquaintance with the historical and social location of Israel’s prophetic literature, with an emphasis upon the late seventh century; (3) competence in interpreting passages from the book of Jeremiah in light of a range of appropriate approaches; (4) an ability to reflect upon and evaluate the theological issues raised by the book of Jeremiah and to discern their implications for Christian faith and practice; (5) an awareness of how we may learn from historically and culturally diverse vantage points better to read, use, and obey this portion of Scripture.
COURSE FORMAT: This class will meet for a three hour session once each week for a total of 27 hours of classroom instruction involving both lecture and discussion; in addition there will be 13 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours. Class time will be devoted to lecture, group presentations, and to discussion of specific texts and themes.
REQUIRED READING: 918 pp. required.
Text of Jeremiah in NRSV, TNIV, or CEB Bible [70 pp.].
Brueggemann, Walter. Prophetic Imagination, 2nd ed. Fortress, 2001. ISBN: 978-0800632878, Pub. Price $19.00 [146 pp.]
O’Brien, Julia M. Challenging Prophetic Metaphor: Theology and Ideology in the Prophets. Westminster John Knox, 2008. ISBN: 978-0664229641, Pub. Price $25.00 [188 pp.].
Stulman, Louis. Jeremiah. Abingdon, 2005. ISBN: 978-0687057962, Pub. Price $43.99 [394 pp.]. [Available on library database “Ministry Matters.”]
A selection of articles available on the course Moodle site [120 pp.].
RECOMMENDED READING:
Boda, Mark J. and J. Gordon McConville (eds.). Dictionary of the Old Testament: Prophets. IVP Academic, 2012. ISBN: 978-0830817849, Pub. Price $60.00.
Leclerc, Thomas L. Introduction to the Prophets: Their Stories, Sayings, and Scrolls. Paulist, 2007. ISBN: 978-0809144921, Pub. Price $27.95.
O’Connor, Kathleen M. Jeremiah: Pain and Promise. Fortress, 2011. ISBN: 978-0800620400, Pub. Price $42.00.
Peterson, Eugene H. Run with the Horses, 2nd ed. InterVarsity, 2009. ISBN: 978-0830837069, Pub. Price $16.00.
ASSIGNMENTS & ASSESSMENT:
Reading of assigned texts. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1,2,5] [61 hours].
Biweekly forum posts (250 words) and responses (150 words) (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3-4] [13 hours].
Short written responses to questions regarding the readings and lectures (7 weeks x 400 words=2,800 words) (35%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-5] [14 hours].
An essay on the historical context of Jeremiah’s ministry (1,500 words; 15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2] [15 hours].
The writing of an exegetical paper (approx. 3,000 words; 35%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #3,4,5] [30 hours].
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Counts as a biblical elective for the 120 MDiv Program and the MATM and MAICS Programs (Winter 2010), and the OTBK requirement for the MAT Program (Winter 2010).
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.