Summer 2007/Pasadena
Five-week Intensive: July 23-August 24
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.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of the course students should have


RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: See course objectives/learning outcomes.

COURSE FORMAT: The course meets twice weekly for four-hour sessions for five weeks. Most classes require specific reading of the biblical text and other preparation, on average a further eight 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:
NRSV Bible.

Arnold, B. T., and H. G. M. Williamson, eds. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books. InterVarsity Press, 2005.

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

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.

Goldingay, J. Old Testament Theology, Volumes One and Two. InterVarsity Press, 2003 and 2006.

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.

Wheaton, Philip, and Duane Shank. Empire & the Word. EPICA, 1988.

ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Preparation for classes, with submission of notes before each class.

  2. Attendance at all classes.

  3. Two 2500-3000-word papers. The grade comes from these papers (50% each), subject to reduction for missing classes or failure to turn in satisfactory preparation homework.

PREREQUISITES: None.

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

FINAL EXAMINATION: No.