Fall 2003/Pasadena
OT502
Goldingay

OT502: THE HEBREW PROPHETS. John Goldingay.


DESCRIPTION:

The course studies the contents of the Former Prophets (Joshua to Kings) and the Latter Prophets (Isaiah to Malachi), their possible historical backgrounds, different approaches to their interpretation, and their significance for us today.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
By the end of the course students should have

COURSE FORMAT:
The course meets twice weekly for two-hour sessions. Most classes require specific reading of the biblical text and other preparation, on average a further four hours per week. The classroom time then combines lectures, work in groups of four or five, and plenary discussion. The course is thus not primarily lecture-based; it emphasizes collaborative learning, and students need to accept a commitment to working together with other students.

REQUIRED READING:
Students are not required to possess any books except an NRSV and a copy of the Course Reader.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Brenner, A., ed. A Feminist Companion to Judges, and A Feminist Companion to Samuel and Kings, and A Feminist Companion to the Latter Prophets. Sheffield Academic Press, 1993, 1994, and 1995.

Brueggemann, W. Hopeful Imagination. Fortress, 1986.

__________. Prophetic Imagination. Fortress, 1978.

Coggins, Richard, et al., ed. Israel's Prophetic Tradition. Cambridge University Press, 1982.

Eaton, J. H. Mysterious Messengers. Eerdmans, 1998.

Gordon, Robert P., ed. "The Place Is Too Small for Us": The Israelite Prophets in Recent Scholarship. Eisenbrauns, 1995.

Knoppers, Gary N. and Gordon McConville, eds. Reconsidering Israel and Judah: Recent Studies in the Deuteronomistic History. Eisenbrauns, 2000.

Von Rad, Gerhard. The Message of the Prophets. SCM, 1968.

ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Preparation for classes, with submission of notes each class (50% of final grade).

  2. Two 7-10 page papers (50% of final grade).

PREREQUISITES:
None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
Meets M. Div. core requirement in Old Testament "b" (OTB).

FINAL EXAMINATION:
Only for students who miss more than one class. The mark is then combined with that for the files of preparation notes.