Spring 2015 / Pasadena
OT500
Thomas
OT500: OLD TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION (4 Units: 160 hours). Matthew Thomas.
DESCRIPTION: This course orients students to the literature of the Old Testament in its various literary, historical, and theological contexts and to Old Testament interpretation in service of Christian practice. The books of Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, 2 Samuel, Job, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel will be the focus of study.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete this course will have demonstrated that they: (1) have a basic grasp of the contents of Israel’s Scriptures, history, and geography; (2) can use interpretive approaches that explore both the literary features of the Old Testament 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 Old Testament texts.
COURSE FORMAT: This class meets twice weekly for two hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom for lecture and discussion.
REQUIRED READING: 1,000 total pages required
Genesis; Exodus; Deuteronomy; 2 Samuel; Job; Psalms 42-106; Isaiah 1-14, 40-53, 63-66; Jeremiah 1-36; Daniel (NRSV, TNIV, or CEB) [375 pp. assigned].
Brueggemann, Walter. From Whom No Secrets are Hid: Introducing the Psalms. Westminster John Knox, 2014. ISBN: 978-0664259716, Pub. Price $30.00 [160 pp. assigned].
Collins, John J. A Short Introduction to the Hebrew Bible. 2nd ed. Fortress, 2014. ISBN: 978- 1451472943, Pub. Price $45.00 [175 pp. assigned].
Available on eReserves:
Brown, William P. Character in Crisis: A Fresh Approach to the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1996. [70 pp. assigned].
Dalley, Stephanie. Myths from Mesopotamia: Creation, the Flood, Gilgamesh, and Others. Oxford University Press, 1998. ISBN: 978-0199538362, Pub. Price $13.95 [55 pp. assigned].
Weems, Renita J. Just a Sister Away: A Womanist Vision of Women's Relationships in the Bible. Innisfree, 1988. [22 pp. assigned].
Additional articles, including ones by Coomber, Gilkes, Goldingay, Kelly, Rendtorff, Rudin, Thomas, Wenham, Westermann [183 pp.].
RECOMMENDED READING:
Fox, Everett. The Five Books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. The Schocken Bible 1. Schocken, 2000. ISBN: 978-0805211191, Pub. Price $35.00.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
1,000 pages of readings from the Bible, ancient Near Eastern texts, and secondary materials. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 3, and 4]. [58 hours].
Posting in online forums and other online activities: weekly online discussions and other activities relating to concepts presented and/or passages discussed in class (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-5]. [20 hours].
Online quizzes consisting primarily of objective elements: identifying events, characters, concepts, etc (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. [7 hours].
A final exam: a timed, online exam consisting of essays. It will be made available to take anytime within three days (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-5]. [10 hours].
A researched paper of approx. 12 pages examining an OT passage in its literary, historical, and cultural contexts (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-5]. [25 hours].
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets a core requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Meets the OTC requirement in the 144 MDiv. Option to meet requirement in the MAT Program (Winter 2010). and a core requirement for the MATM, MAICS, and MACL Programs (Winter 2010).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.