Fall 2003/Pasadena
OT501
Jacobs
OT501: PENTATEUCH. Mignon R. Jacobs.
DESCRIPTION:
- The goals of this course is to provide a basic understanding of the
contents, theologies, and form of the Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy) and to
use that understanding as the basis examining issues of methodology and
historical background that arise in interpreting this corpus.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- The issues concerning human existence, purpose in the universe, and
ethical basis of human relationships have been the focal point of discussions
throughout society and the church. In light of our faith, the interpretation of
this portion of the Old Testament is fundamental to our understanding of these
issues.
COURSE FORMAT:
- This course will meet for two-hour sessions twice weekly for
lectures and discussions.
REQUIRED READING:
- NRSV Bible.
- Boadt, Lawrence. Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction. New
York: Paulist Press, 1984.
- Brenner, Athalya, ed. Feminist Companion to Exodus to Deuteronomy.
Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1994.
- Childs, Brevard S. The Book of Exodus: A Critical Theological
Commentary. The Old Testament Library. Philadelphia: Westminster Press,
1974.
- Knight, Douglas A. "Pentateuch." In The Hebrew Bible and its Modern
Interpreters. Ed. Douglas A. Knight and Gene M. Tucker. Chico, CA: Scholars
Press, 1985.
- Pritchard, James B., ed. The HarperCollins Concise Atlas of the
Bible. San Francisco: Harper, 1998.
- Rendtorff, Rolf. The Old Testament: An Introduction. Trans. John
Bowden. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1991.
- Various articles and chapters on reserve in the library.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Blenkinsopp, Joseph. The Pentateuch: An Introduction to the
First Five Books of the Bible. New York: Doubleday, 1992.
- Gersteenberger, Erhard S. Yahweh the Patriarch: Ancient Images of God
and Feminist Theology. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1996.
- Lohfink, Norbert. Theology of the Pentateuch: Themes of the Priestly
Narrative and Deuteronomy. Minneapolis: Fortress/Augsburg Press, 1994.
- Visotzky, Burton L. The Genesis of Ethics: How the Tormented Family of
Genesis Leads to Moral Development. New York: Crown Publishers,
1996.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Weekly preparation is a required part of the course. The final
grade will be based on three (3-5 pages) critical papers, a mid-term, and a
final exam.
PREREQUISITES:
- None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Meets M.Div. core requirement in Old Testament "a" (OTA).
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- Yes.