Fall 2014/Pasadena
OT506
Hays
OT506: OLD TESTAMENT EXEGESIS: ISAIAH 1–39 (HEBREW TEXT) (4 Units: 160 Hours). Christopher B. Hays.
DESCRIPTION: This course is an eclectic approach to a text that has taken on outsized significance in the Old Testament canon. In part, the course takes a “contextual” approach to Isaiah—that is, it attempts to understand chapters 1-39 in their original historical and cultural contexts. The course introduces students to the cross-cultural phenomenon of prophecy, and includes a particular focus on the late eighth century bce in Judah. The course also looks at Isaiah through diverse theological lenses, exploring the ways in which the book of Isaiah has spoken and continues to speak to readers. Finally, the course uses literary methods to study one of the greatest poets of the ancient world.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course successfully will have (1) demonstrated a grasp of the historical and cultural worlds of Isaiah 1-39; (2) skill in reading Hebrew and in interpreting particular texts, especially as works of literature; (3) enunciated richer and more nuanced perspectives on the theological issues raised by the book, including the question of Christian and Christological appropriation of prophetic texts; and (4) will also have enunciated their understanding of ways in which Isaiah relates to the faith and life of their communities.
COURSE FORMAT: This class meets twice weekly for two hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom for lecture and discussion.Content will include lecture, plenary discussion, and study of individual passages in Hebrew. Classes require substantial preparation on the part of students, at least two hours of preparation for each class hour, including study of the biblical text and other specified reading.
REQUIRED READING: 750 pp. required.
Elliger, Karl & Rudolph, Willhelm, eds. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Hendrickson Publishing, 2006. ISBN: 978-3438052193, Pub. Price $69.99.
Course reader [550 pp. required].
Blenkinsopp, Joseph. Isaiah 1–39. Doubleday, 2000. ISBN: 978-0300139617, Pub. Price $40.00 [100 pp.].
Nissinen, Martti. Prophets and Prophecy in the Ancient Near East. SBL, 2003. ISBN: 978-1589830271, Pub. Price $29.95 [100 pp.].
NRSV Bible.
See the Biblical Division bibliography “Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Program” available in the Academic Advising office.
ASSIGNMENTS & ASSESSMENT:
750 pp. of required reading [50 hours].
Class participation (25%). [40 hours + 30 hours Hebrew preparation]
Quiz on historical backgrounds (10%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. [5 hours].
Three one-page response papers (15%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-4]. [5 hours].
Five-page report on commentaries (10%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2]. [10 hours].
10-page exegetical paper on a selected Hebrew text (40%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-4]. [20 hours].
PREREQUISITES: LG502.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the Biblical Language Text Exegesis requirement in the 120 MDiv program. Meets the OTBE or OTCE in the 144 MDiv Program.
FINAL EXAMINATION: Oral examination on Hebrew translation for students who miss more than two classes.