Fall 2013/Fuller Online
OT500
Thomas
OT500: WRITINGS AS INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT. Matthew A. Thomas.
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, and 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 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.
COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar. 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 $29.95 [241 pp. assigned].
Brown, William P. Character in Crisis. Eerdmans, 1996. ISBN: 978-0802841353, Pub. Price $20.00 [164 pp assigned].
Lapsley, Jacqueline. Whispering the Word, Hearing Women’s Stories in the OT. Westminster John Knox, 2005 (pp. 1-19, 89-108). ISBN: 978-0664224356, Pub. Price $24.95 [39 pp. assigned].
Seow, C. L. Daniel. Westminster Bible Companion. Westminster John Knox, 2003. ISBN: 978-0664256753, Pub. Price $29.95 [118 pp. assigned]
Additional readings available through eReserves [~200 pp. assigned].
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Posting in forums and online activities: We will engage in weekly discussions (by means of forums) reflecting on the readings and topics for the week. Some weeks will also require other online activities, such as working on a group wiki project. (40%) [4-5 hours reading / week; 2-3 hours posting / week]
Quiz: Covering significant events in the history of Israel, the quiz will consist primarily of objective elements: identifying events, characters, concepts, etc. (5%) [1 hour for prep and quiz]
Six exam essays (400-500 words each): Apply what you have learned in online discussions, required reading, and other class activities to questions about individual biblical books (25%). [3 hours total]
12-page final paper: A paper that includes researched interpretation and theological exposition of a Psalm. (25%) [15-20 hours preparing & writing]
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Old Testament “c” (OTC) and Seminary Core Requirement (SCR) for MATM, MAICS, MAFS, MACL.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.