Summer 2020/Fuller Online

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 course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours, which is outlined below in the assignment and assessment section. 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: 1,015 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. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library. [160 pp. assigned].

Goldingay, John. An Introduction to the Old Testament: Exploring Text, Approaches & Issues. IVP Academic, 2015. ISBN: 978-0830840908. Pub. Price $45.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library. [220 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].

Hays, Christopher, ed. Hidden Riches: A Sourcebook for the Comparative Study of the Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East. Westminster John Knox, 2014. [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 Charleston, Coomber, Gilkes, Goldingay, Kelly, Rice, Rendtorff, Rudin, Thomas, Wenham, and Westermann [113 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 $40.00.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Careful review of the instructor's weekly notes, audio files, videos, and other materials. [20 hours].
2. 1,015 pages of readings from the Bible, ancient Near Eastern texts, and secondary materials. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 3, and 4]. [68 hours].
3. 200-word weekly forum posts: Each week, we will engage in 1-2 online discussions related to the topics and/or passages for the week. Students will post a ~200 word initial post in each forum. (24%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [20 hours].
4. 200-word weekly forum responses: For each forum, students will respond to at least two of their classmates with 75-100 word responses. (16%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 3, 4] [10 hours].
5. Online quizzes consisting primarily of objective elements: identifying events, characters, concepts, etc. (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. [7 hours].
6. 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].
7. Interpretive Assignment: 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, 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.

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.