Spring 2020/Online

OT500

Greenwood

OT500: OLD TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION (4 Units: 160 hours). Kyle R. Greenwood, PhD

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: 1,100 pages required.

English Bible: NRSV or CEB [Genesis; Exodus; Deuteronomy; 2 Samuel; Job; Psalms 42-106; Isaiah 1-14, 40-53, 63-66; Jeremiah 1-36; Daniel; 250 pp. assigned].

Arnold, Bill T. Introduction to the Old Testament, Cambridge University Press, 2014. ISBN: 978-0521705479, Pub. Price $61.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library. [225 pp. assigned]

Hays, Christopher B. Hidden Riches: A Sourcebook for the Comparative Study of the Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near East. Westminster John Knox, 2014. ISBN: 978-0664237011, Pub. Price $45.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library. [270 pp. assigned]

Readings from Carolyn Sharp, Phyllis Trible, Ellen Davis, George Pixley, Munther Isaac, Mitri Raheb, Joel Rosenberg, et al will be on e-reserve. [360 pp. assigned]

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

Instruction hours will be divided between PowerPoint lectures/ instruction videos and online video segments. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #’s 1, 4] [12 hours].
Weekly Forum Discussions: one 250-word post and two responses of 250-words each (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #’s 1–4] [30 hours].
1,100 pages of required reading (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #’s 1–4] [73 hours].
Weekly reading quizzes (10%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #’s 1–4] [5 hours].
Completion of two 1,200–1,500 word essays (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #’s 1–5]. [10 hours].
Interpretive Assignment. Completion of 3,000-word final interpretive paper (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #’s 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: None.