Winter 2013/Pasadena
OT881/581
Hays
OT881/581: THE HISTORY AND HISTORIOGRAPHY OF ANCIENT ISRAEL. Christopher B. Hays.
DESCRIPTION: This seminar is intended to ground advanced graduate students in the scholarly conversation about the history of Israel, which is the foundation for every other critical method in Old Testament scholarship. The course begins with a consideration of the sources of data for writing the history of Israel, and the methods of weighing them. It continues with a selective study of various historical periods and moments, including the roots of Israelite ethnicity, the united monarchy, the siege of Sennacherib, and the postexilic Restoration. The final weeks are given to special topics such as gender, social history, and the current debate between “maximalist” and “minimalist” historians.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: An understanding of Israelite history and historiography is fundamental to the critical study of the Old Testament, and also deepens and informs theological interpretations.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing this course will have demonstrated that they have (1) attained a familiarity with the most significant primary textual and archaeological data relating to Israel’s history; (2) attained a familiarity with a mainstream scholarly reconstruction of Israel’s history, as well as major alternative positions; (3) gained an ability to reason through historiographical decisions in keeping with scholarly methods; (4) become familiar with the work of major scholars writing about Israelite history; (5) gained expertise in classical Hebrew through weekly translations.
COURSE FORMAT: This course will meet once weekly for a four-hour session. Class sessions will involve weekly student presentations and guided discussions on various topics.
REQUIRED TEXT:
Miller, J. Maxwell, and John H. Hayes. A History of Ancient Israel and Judah. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2006. ISBN 978-0664223588. Pub. Price $39.95.
RECOMMENDED TEXTS: You are encouraged to contact the professor in advance for the lengthy list of recommended texts.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: The final grade will consist of the following components:
Class Participation: This includes presentations, readings, and participation in discussions (50%).
Final paper due on last day of finals week (50%).
PREREQUISITES: Master’s students admitted with permission of the instructor.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective for master’s level students.