DESCRIPTION:

This online course is a study of the books of the third section of the Hebrew Scriptures, in English translation, including the Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Ruth, Song of Songs, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and 1-2 Chronicles. Attention will be given to the shape of the books, their content, literary forms, history of interpretation, theological concerns, and to introductory issues.

The course seeks to induct students into the study of the Old Testament in a way that will excite them with its significance and inform and motivate them for further study in seminary, in their lives, and in their ministry.

Students who successfully complete the course will have demonstrated that they (1) have grasped the outline of Israel's history as portrayed in the Old and New Testaments and in light of modern study; (2) understand the nature and process of the Old Testament's composition, especially as illustrated by Chronicles, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Daniel; (3) understand the nature of worship, prayer, and wisdom as illustrated by the Writings and its relationship with ancient Near Eastern equivalents; (4) know how to interpret Old Testament narrative, as illustrated by the Writings; (5) have looked at aspects of the Writings from various perspectives in addition to the perspectives of the male, white, Western world; (6) have reflected on the significance of the Writings for Christian theology, mission, and discipleship.

This course will be conducted online following a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller's academic calendar. The course involves reading, writing, use of libraries and other resources, and interactive discussion. 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.

The biblical books Ruth, 1-2 Chronicles, Lamentations, Psalms, Daniel, Esther, Ezra-Nehemiah, Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs, in NRSV, CEB, or TNIV.

Anderson, Bernhard W. Out of the Depths. 3rd revised & expanded ed. Westminster John Knox, 2000. ISBN: 0-664-25832-8, $29.95.

Bechtel, Carol. Esther. Interpretation. John Knox Press, 2002. ISBN: 0-8042-3113-3, $30.00.

Brown, William P. Character in Crisis. Eerdmans, 1996. ISBN: 0-8028-4135-X, $20.00.

Dell, Katherine. Shaking a Fist at God. Triumph Books, 1995. ISBN: 0-7648-0030-2, $6.99.

Hayes, John H. Hebrew Bible: History of Interpretation. Abingdon, 2004. ISBN: 0-687-03666-6, $42.00.

Lapsley, Jacqueline. Whispering the Word, Hearing Women's Stories in the OT. Westminster John Knox, 2005. (pp. 1-19, 89-108) ISBN: 0-664-22435-0, $24.95.

Seow, C. L. Daniel. Westminster Bible Companion. Westminster John Knox, 2003. ISBN: 0-664-25675-9, $29.95.

eReader: Articles and chapters by Leslie Allen, Julie Chu, C. T. Gilkes, Madipoane Masenya, Itumeleng Mosala, and Bob Yoder.

Lectures and other resources available on the course page.

1. Reading of all material assigned in weekly lessons. Report and comment on each assignment in the weekly Reading Journal Forum (30%).

2. Weekly threaded discussions, group projects, and short assignments (20%).

3. Six exam essays (600 words each). Apply what you have learned in online discussions, required reading, and other class activities to questions about individual biblical books (30%).

4. A paper that includes researched interpretation and theological exposition of a Psalm (2500-3000 words), prepared in stages (20%).