Summer 2013/Fuller Online
OT500
Hayes
OT500: WRITINGS AS INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT. Elizabeth R. Hayes.
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.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: 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.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing the course will have demonstrated: (1) familiarity with the biblical text under study; (2) acquisition of critical tools for the interpretation of the Old Testament; (3) ability to identify the most salient themes throughout the literary corpus; (4) familiarity with the historical, socio-political, and religious background of the books; and (5) ability to extrapolate the theological message of the text.
COURSE FORMAT: 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.
REQUIRED READING:
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: 978-0664258320, Pub. Price $30.00 [264 pp.].
Bechtel, Carol. Esther. Interpretation. John Knox Press, 2011. ISBN: 9780664238629, Pub. Price $25.00 [112 pp.].
Brown, William P. Character in Crisis. Eerdmans, 1996. ISBN: 978-0802841353, Pub. Price $22.00 [190 pp.].
Lapsley, Jacqueline. Whispering the Word, Hearing Women’s Stories in the OT. Westminster John Knox, 2005. ISBN: 978-0664224356, Pub. Price $25.00 [pp. 1-19, 89-108 assigned].
Seow, C. L. Daniel. Westminster Bible Companion. Westminster John Knox, 2003. ISBN: 978-0664256753, Pub. Price $25.00 [216 pp.].
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.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Reading of all material assigned in weekly lessons. Report and comment on each assignment in the weekly Reading Journal Forum (30%).
Weekly threaded discussions, group projects, and short assignments (20%).
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%).
A paper that includes researched interpretation and theological exposition of a Psalm (2500-3000 words), prepared in stages (20%).
PREREQUISITES: None. No auditors.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Old Testament “c” (OTC) and Seminary Core Requirement (SCR) for MATM, MAICS, MAFS, MACL.