Fall 2013/Fuller Online
OT567
Smoak
OT567: LEVITICUS (ENGLISH BOOK). Jeremy D. Smoak.
DESCRIPTION: This is an online course of the book of Leviticus. The course will familiarize students with the book’s overall structure and literary development as well as the major themes found therein, including worship, sin, sacrifice, and holiness. The course will also familiarize students with the book’s literary and theological significance within the broader traditions of the Pentateuch. Development of exegetical skills will arise from a focus upon the literary and theological characteristics of the book. The class will explore the book’s role in the Church’s ongoing theological reflection
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The course will give specific attention to how the book of Leviticus may be used to inform the life and worship of the Church. We will examine how the literary vision of worship in the book may be applied to various aspects of ministry in the Church.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete this course will have demonstrated: (1) a fundamental knowledge of the literary forms and thematic content of the book of Leviticus; (2) an acquaintance with how the literary location and significance of the book of Leviticus within the Pentateuch and Hebrew canon; (3) competence in interpreting the different forms of literature found in the book of Leviticus; and (4) an ability to reflect upon and evaluate the theological issues raised by the book of Leviticus and to discern their implications for Christian faith and practice.
COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online one 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:
NRSV, TNIV or CEB Bible.
Balentine, Samuel. Leviticus: Interpretation: A Commentary. Westminster John Knox, 2012. ISBN: 978-0664238803, Pub. Price $19.00 [220 pp.].
Milgrom, Jacob. Leviticus (Continental Commentary). Augsburg Fortress 2004. ISBN: 978-0800695149, Pub. Price $29.99 [412 pp.].
Reading material posted on Moodle. See the following sampling:
Blenkinsopp, J. “The Structure of P,” Catholic Biblical Quarterly 38 (1976) 275–292.
Douglas, M. “The Forbidden Animals in Leviticus,” Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 59 (1993) 3–23.
Eshkenazi, T. “Leviticus,” in The Torah: A Women’s Commentary (ed. T.C. Eshkenazi,and A.L. Weiss; URJ Press, 2008), selected excerpts.
Gruber, M. “Women in the Cult according to the Priestly Code,” in Judaic Perspectives on Ancient Israel (ed. J. Neusner et al; Fortress, 1987) 35–48.
Anderson, G. “A Burden to be Borne,” in Sin: A History (Yale UniversityPress, 2009) 15–26.
Schwartz, “B. “The Bearing of Sin in Priestly Literature,” in Pomegranates and Golden Bells (FS Jacob Milgrom; Eisenbrauns, 1995) 3–21.
RECOMMENDED READING: A complete list of recommended reading will be available in the syllabus.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Weekly forum posts. Completion of weekly assigned reading material and weekly forum posts. 30 points *10 weeks = 300 points (30%)
Two close reading assignments (3–4 pages each). 100 points each = 200 points (20%)
Exams (midterm and final). 100 points *2 exams = 200 points (20%). The exam will test the student’s knowledge of the material from the book of Leviticus and other assigned reading. The format of the exams will be short answer and essay questions.
Exegetical Paper. (10–12 pages). 300 points (30%). A final exegesis paper that focuses upon a specific passage within the book of Leviticus.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the MA program requirements for OT book study (OTBK).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.