Winter 2011/Pasadena
OT500
Jacobs
OT500: WRITINGS AS INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT. Mignon R. Jacobs.
DESCRIPTION: This is an introductory course based on a survey of the third
major division of the Hebrew Bible known as the Writings
(Ketubim)--Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes,
Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles. The course
engages in critical analysis of various texts through examination of their
literary, theological, socio-historical contexts and the issues of interpretive
methods and contemporary concerns that arise in interpreting this corpus.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: This survey encourages critical engagement
with issues of human wisdom, spirituality, and suffering in light of God's
involvement in the world (individual and community experiences). It also
facilitates reflection on the complexity of the text's perspectives on various
issues, e.g., ethics, gender, race, and psychological and
socio-economic/political concerns.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: By successfully completing of this course students will have
demonstrated (1) comprehension of the Old Testament as reflected in the
Writings; (2) an ability to discuss the nature of the Writings, i.e., its
literary features, historical, and cultural situations; (3) basic competence in
discerning the theological concerns of the selected corpus; (4) skills in
recognizing and articulating the hermeneutical challenges of interpreting
biblical texts.
COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet twice weekly in two-hour sessions for
lectures and discussions. This course includes Moodle as part of its design.
REQUIRED READING:
- NRSV Bible.
- Boadt, Lawrence. Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction. New
York: Paulist Press, 1984. ISBN: 0809126311. $21.95. **
- Brenner, Athalya, ed. Feminist Companion to Ruth and
Esther. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1999. ISBN: 9781850759782.
$34.99.
- Brown, William P. Character in Crisis: A Fresh Approach to the Wisdom
Literature of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996. ISBN:
9780802841353. $20.00.
- Brueggemann, Walter. Spirituality of the Psalms. Minneapolis:
Fortress, 2002. ISBN: 9780800634506. $9.99.
- Estes, Daniel J. Handbook on the Wisdom Books and Psalms. Grand
Rapids: Baker Academics, 2005. ISBN: 9780801038884. $34.00.
- Matthews, Victor H. Old Testament Turning Points: The Narratives that
Shaped a Nation. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005. ISBN: 9780801027741.
$22.00.
- Other books and articles on library reserve.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Camp, Claudia. Wisdom and the Feminine in the Book of
Proverbs. Sheffield: Almond, 1985. (OP)
- Collins, John J. Introduction to the Hebrew Bible (CD-ROM).
Minneapolis: Fortress Press 2004. ISBN: 9780800696771. $52.00.
- Matthews, Victor H., and Don C. Benjamin. Old Testament Parallels: Laws
and Stories from the Ancient Near East. New York: Paulist Press, 1991.
ISBN: 0809182785. $24.95.
Miller, Patrick D. They Cried to the Lord: The
Form and Theology of Biblical Prayer. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1994. ISBN:
9780800627621. $29.00.
- Murphy, Roland E. The Tree of Life: An Explanation of Biblical
Wisdom Literature. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002. ISBN:
9780802839657. $28.00.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: Weekly preparation and attendance are required
parts of the course (10%). In addition to these, the final grade will be based
on two (8-10 pages) critical papers (30%), quizzes (30%), and a final exam
(30%).
**Students are strongly encouraged to read Boadt
pp. 1-30 by the first class session.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Old Testament "c"
(OTC) ; meets Seminary Core Requirement (SCR) for MATM, MAICS, MAFS, MACL
(effective Winter 2010).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (November 3, 2010)