Winter 2015/Pasadena
OT567
Lee
OT567: ESTHER (ENGLISH TEXT) (4 Units: 160 Hours). Kyong-Jin Lee.
DESCRIPTION: A contextual and interpretive study of the Book of Esther. A close reading of the Biblical book will familiarize the student with the themes, motifs, and historical context in which this book was composed. Development of exegetical skills will arise from a focused discussion on the theological, historical, and literary characteristics of the book. The class will explore the book’s role in the Church’s ongoing theological reflection.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete this course will have demonstrated that they: (1) have a basic grasp of the contents of the Biblical text under study; (2) can use interpretive approaches that explore both the literary features of the book of Esther and the historical and cultural contexts in which it came into being; (3) can assess hermeneutical issues arising from the diverse contexts of contemporary readers; (4) can relate the Old Testament as Scripture to Christian theology, mission, and discipleship; and (5) have used this knowledge and these abilities to interpret some key Biblical texts pertaining to the course.
COURSE FORMAT: This class meets once per week for three-hour sessions for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction for lecture and discussion plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours.
REQUIRED READING: Approximately 1,000 pages required
NRSV, TNIV, or CEB Bible.
Bush, Frederic W. Ruth-Esther. (Word Biblical Commentary). Word Books, 1996. ISBN: 978-0849902086, Pub. Price $49.99 [300 pp.].
Levenson, Jon D. Esther. Westminster John Knox, 1997. ISBN: 978-0664228873, Pub. Price $30.00 [130 pp.].
Reading material posted on Moodle [570 pp.] See the following sampling:
Berlin, Adele. “The Book of Esther and Ancient Storytelling.” Journal of Biblical Literature 120/1 (2001): 3–14.
Klein, Lillian. “Honor and Shame in Esther.” In A Feminist Companion to Esther, Judith and Susanna. Ed. Athalya Brenner. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1995. 149–75.
Levenson, Jon D. “The Scroll of Esther in Ecumenical Perspective.” Journal of Ecumenical Studies 13/3 (1976): 440–52.
McGeough, Kevin M. “Esther the Hero: Going Beyond ‘Wisdom’ in Heroic Narratives.” Catholic Biblical Quarterly 70/1 (2008): 44–65.
Sweeney, Marvin. “Absence of G-d and Human Responsibility in the Book of Esther.” In Reading the Hebrew Bible for a New millennium: Form, Concept and Theological Perspective. Volume 2: Exegetical and Theoretical Studies, 264–75. Harrisburg: Trinity Press International, 2000.
Talmon, Shemaryahu. “‘Wisdom’ in the Book of Esther.” Vetus Testamentum 13/4 (1963): 419–55.
Yamauchi, Edwin M. “The Archaeological Background of Esther: Archaeological Backgrounds of the Exilic and Postexilic Era, pt 2.” Bibliotheca Sacra 137 (1980): 99–117.
RECOMMENDED READING: See the course syllabus.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Completion of weekly assigned reading material (approximately 100 pp. per week; 1,000 pp. total). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-3]. [70 hours].
Attendance and participation. Regular contribution of answers, comments, and reflections on the instructor and other participants’ questions and comments (10%).
Weekly posting of answers, comments, and reflections on the instructor and other participants’ questions and writings (250-300 words). (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-4]. [10 hours].
Class presentation. (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-4]. [5 hours].
Midterm exam (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-4]. [15 hours].
FINAL exegesis paper (3,500-4,000 words). (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2-5]. [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). Meets the OTBK requirement for the MAT Program (Winter 2010).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.