Summer 2012/Israel and Jordan
June 17-29
OT576
Hays/Thompson

OT576: TRAVEL COURSE: EXPERIENCING THE LAND OF THE BIBLE.
Christopher B. Hays and Marianne Meye Thompson.


DESCRIPTION: This course is intended to introduce students to Middle Eastern sites that form the background of the events recounted in the Bible, from the archaeological remains of the Davidic kingdom to the sites of Jesus' ministry.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Firsthand engagement with the lands of the Bible allows the text to take on added dimensions and deeper meaning. By extension, such engagement improves preaching and other forms of proclamation. It is one thing to teach or preach about Isaiah's prophecies or Jesus' activities from the text, and quite another to be able to describe their contexts from first-hand experience.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course successfully will demonstrate knowledge of biblical history and geography, and the ability to articulate the significance these items, as well as archaeology, for understanding the Bible. They will also be able to describe how their encounter with the lands of the Bible has changed them.

COURSE FORMAT: Two meetings prior to departure will present introductory and overview information and discuss advance reading. The course will take place in Israel and Jordan over the course of two weeks during the summer quarter.

REQUIRED READING:

English Bible.

Coogan, Michael D. The Oxford History of the Biblical World. Oxford University Press, 2001. ISBN: 978-0195139372; $19.95.

Course reader.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Marcus, Amy Dockser. The View from Nebo: How Archeology is Rewriting the Bible and Reshaping the Middle East. Back Bay Books, 2001. 304 pp. ISBN: 978-0316591621; $23.99.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
  1. Quiz on advance reading (20%)

  2. Participation in group activities and discussions (40%)

  3. Final reflection paper (8 pages) (40%)

PREREQUISITES: Participation in Summer Program in Israel and Jordan (June 17-29, 2012), including two pre-trip meetings on the Pasadena campus June 13 and 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective in MDiv and MA. Counts as an ANE course in MAT-ANE Studies.

FINAL EXAMINATION: No.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (April 2012)