Spring 2020/Fuller Online

OT500

Crouch

OT500: OLD TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION (4 Units: 160 hours). Carly L. Crouch

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.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course will introduce students to content and interpretation of the OT in its historical and contemporary context, which is consistent with the SOT PLO “Students will have demonstrated competence in the practice of biblical interpretation for faithful use of Scripture in their own lives and ministries” (MDiv, MAT, MATM).

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: 1,050 total pages required.

NRSV, TNIV, or CEB Bible [Genesis; Exodus; Deuteronomy; 2 Samuel; Job; Psalms 42-106; Isaiah 1-14, 40-53, 63-66; Jeremiah 1-45; Daniel]. [250 pp.]

Course reader [800 pp., including Juliana Claassens, Graham Davies, Wilda Gafney, Christopher Hays, Cheryl Kirk-Duggan, Kathleen O'Connor, Katharine Doob Sakenfeld, Matthew Schlimm, Robert Warrior, Gale Yee, Bonnie Zahl, etc.]

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Lectures, audio recordings, and other instructional content curated by the professor [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-5] [20 hours].
  2. 1,050 pages of required reading [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-5] [65 hours].
  3. Completion of 10 reflective essays [1-2 pages / 250-500 words] (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-5]. [20 hours].
  4. Participation in weekly forum discussions [approx. 500 words per week] (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-5] [20 hours].
  5. Final exam covering readings and lecture (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-5] [5 hours].
  6. An interpretive essay on a biblical passage [10-14 pages / 2,500-3,500 words]. (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-5]. [30 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets a core requirement in the 120 MDiv, 80 MAT, 80 MATM, and 80 MAICS Programs (Fall 2015). 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 (take-home).

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.