Spring 2013/Pasadena

OT517

Goldingay

OT517: PSALMS (ENGLISH TEXT). John Goldingay.

DESCRIPTION: A study of the Psalter with particular reference to a cross-section of Psalms: 1, 2, 6, 22, 30, 42, 44, 51, 72, 73, 88, 89, 95, 100, 103, 104, 118, 119, 130, 137, 139, 147.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The Psalms are the Bible’s manual of examples and instruction on the nature of praise and prayer.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete the course will have shown that they have considered a range of approaches to the study of the Psalms, reflected on the way the Psalms can illumine and develop our relationship with God as the church and as individuals, and gained skill in analyzing and exegeting particular texts.

COURSE FORMAT: The class meets once a week for three hours. Each class combines lecture and plenary discussion. In addition, students take part in a one-hour online discussion.

REQUIRED READING:

NRSV or TNIV or CEB and one other translation.

RECOMMENDED READING:

See course syllabus for recommended texts.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Attendance at classes and participation in online group discussion (one hour each week) (pass/fail).

  2. Weekly homework in preparation for class (about four hours each week; pass/fail).

  3. One 2500-3000 word paper (4-5-pages) on a chosen psalm (one half of final grade).

  4. One 2500-3000 word reflection (4-5-pages) on the Psalms as a whole (one half of final grade).

PREREQUISITES: OT500, OT501, OT502, or OT504. Note that OT517 Psalms and OT507 Psalms are variants of the same course, based on the English and the Hebrew text. Students may register for only one of the two.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the MA program requirements for Old Testament book study (OTBK).


NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.