Fall 2020/Fuller Online

OT517

Hayes

OT517: OLD TESTAMENT BOOK STUDY: PSALMS (4 Units: 160 hours). E. R. Hayes

DESCRIPTION: This class is a study of the content and literary qualities of the book of Psalms in light of its historical background and developing theology. Consideration will be given to understanding the biblical text on its own terms and to reading and interpreting it for contemporary audiences. Additionally, attention will be given to critical tools, methodology, language, genre, the effect of culture, the person of the interpreter and the movement from interpretation to proclamation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated that they (1)have readthe bookcarefully and are familiar with its contents and themes;(2) can interpret passages within it in their own right and in their socio-historical, literary, and canonical contexts; (3) have identified central issues in the critical study of it; (4) can articulate its primary theological and ethical concerns; (5) can use English-based tools for interpreting it;(6) can recognize hermeneutical issues arising from the diverse contexts of contemporary readers;and (7) can interpret it faithfully and creatively in the context of their congregation, of the contemporary world and of their own lives.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: Through focused study of a particular biblical book or topic, students acquire deeper mastery of the interpretation of the Bible, taking into account its ancient and contemporary contexts, 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, 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: 1,050 pp. of required reading.

Psalms 1-150 in a modern English version using either NRSV, CEB or TNIV. [100 pp. assigned].

Anderson, Bernhard W., and Steven Bishop. Out of the Depths: The Psalms Speak for Us Today. 3rd ed. Westminster John Knox Press, 2000. ISBN: 978-0664258320, Pub. Price $30.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [211 pp. assigned].

Broyles, Craig. Psalms. Baker, 2012. ISBN: 978-0801045752, Pub. Price $23.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [210 pp. assigned].

DeClaissé-Walford, Nancy L. The Shape and Shaping of the Book of Psalms: The Current State of Scholarship. Society of Biblical Literature: Ancient Israel and Its Literature. SBL Press, 2014. ISBN: 978-1628370010, Pub. Price $36.95. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [120 pp. assigned].

Gillingham, S. E. Psalms through the Centuries. Wiley-Blackwell, 2012. ISBN: 978-0470674901, Pub. Price $49.75. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [100 pp. assigned].

Moyise, Steve, and M. J. J. Menken. The Psalms in the New Testament. The New Testament and the Scriptures of Israel. T & T Clark International, 2004. ISBN: 978-0567089144, Pub. Price $54.29. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [100 pp. assigned].

eReserves

Adamo, David Tuesday, “Decolonizing the Psalter in Africa.” BT 5.1 (2007) pp. 20-38. [19 pp.].

Ahn, John. “Psalm 137: Complex Communal Laments.” JBL 127.2 (2008) pp. 267-289. [23 pp.].

Alter, Robert. The Art of Biblical Poetry. Basic Books (2011) pp. 1-73 [73 pp.].

Anderson, Gary A. “King David and the Psalms of Imprecation.” Pro Ecclesia XV.3 (2006) pp. 257-280.[24 pp.].

Copeland, Mary F. “An African-American Heritage Version of Psalm 136.” The Journal of Religious Thought 45.2 (1989) 93-95 [3 pp.].

Gerstenberger, Erhard S. “Singing a New Song: On Old Testament and Latin American Psalmody.” Word & World 2 (1985) 155-167 [13 pp.].

Gilkes, Cheryl Townsend. “’Mother to the Motherless, Father to the Fatherless’: Power, Gender and Community in an Afrocentric Biblical Tradition.” Semeia 47 (1989) 57-85. [29 pp.].

Mandolfo, Carleen. “Psalm 88 and the Holocaust: Lament in Search of a Divine Response.” Biblical Interpretation 15 (2007) 151-170. [20 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING: (Recommendations included in the syllabus)

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

Preparation for class by reading and reflecting on the required reading [1,050 pp. total]. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1-3]. [70 hours]. This will be assessed as part of the forum assignments.
Learning activities, including short video lectures, visual presentations, and listening to selected musical scores. [20 hours]. These will be assessed through their impact on forum assignments.
250-word weekly forum posts based on Instructional Content (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, and 3]. [10 hours].
250-word weekly forum responses based on Instructional Content (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, and 3]. [10 hours].
Four short essays on questions from the assigned readings and learning activities. [500 words] (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5]. [20 hours].
Interpretive assignment: A ten-fifteen page research essay on interpretation of a selected Psalm. [2,500-3,500 words] (40%). [This assignment relates to learning outcomes 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6]. [30 hours].

PREREQUISITES: BI500 or NE502; OT500 or OT501 or OT502.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Counts as a biblical elective for the 120 MDiv, 80 MAT, and 80 MATM Programs (Fall 2015). Meets the OTBK requirement for the MAT Program (Winter 2010).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.