Winter 2015/Pasadena

OT567

Lee

OT567: ESTHER (ENGLISH TEXT) (4 Units: 160 Hours). Kyong-Jin Lee.


DESCRIPTION: A contextual and interpretive study of the Book of Esther. A close reading of the Biblical book will familiarize the student with the themes, motifs, and historical context in which this book was composed. Development of exegetical skills will arise from a focused discussion on the theological, historical, and literary characteristics of the book. The class will explore the book’s role in the Church’s ongoing theological reflection.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete this course will have demonstrated that they: (1) have a basic grasp of the contents of the Biblical text under study; (2) can use interpretive approaches that explore both the literary features of the book of Esther and the historical and cultural contexts in which it came into being; (3) can assess hermeneutical issues arising from the diverse contexts of contemporary readers; (4) can relate the Old Testament as Scripture to Christian theology, mission, and discipleship; and (5) have used this knowledge and these abilities to interpret some key Biblical texts pertaining to the course.

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets once per week for three-hour sessions for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction for lecture and discussion plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours.

REQUIRED READING: Approximately 1,000 pages required

NRSV, TNIV, or CEB Bible.

Bush, Frederic W. Ruth-Esther. (Word Biblical Commentary). Word Books, 1996. ISBN: 978-0849902086, Pub. Price $49.99 [300 pp.].

Levenson, Jon D. Esther. Westminster John Knox, 1997. ISBN: 978-0664228873, Pub. Price $30.00 [130 pp.].

Reading material posted on Moodle [570 pp.] See the following sampling:

Berlin, Adele. “The Book of Esther and Ancient Storytelling.” Journal of Biblical Literature 120/1 (2001): 3–14.

Klein, Lillian. “Honor and Shame in Esther.” In A Feminist Companion to Esther, Judith and Susanna. Ed. Athalya Brenner. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1995. 149–75.

Levenson, Jon D. “The Scroll of Esther in Ecumenical Perspective.” Journal of Ecumenical Studies 13/3 (1976): 440–52.

McGeough, Kevin M. “Esther the Hero: Going Beyond ‘Wisdom’ in Heroic Narratives.” Catholic Biblical Quarterly 70/1 (2008): 44–65.

Sweeney, Marvin. “Absence of G-d and Human Responsibility in the Book of Esther.” In Reading the Hebrew Bible for a New millennium: Form, Concept and Theological Perspective. Volume 2: Exegetical and Theoretical Studies, 264–75. Harrisburg: Trinity Press International, 2000.

Talmon, Shemaryahu. “‘Wisdom’ in the Book of Esther.” Vetus Testamentum 13/4 (1963): 419–55.

Yamauchi, Edwin M. “The Archaeological Background of Esther: Archaeological Backgrounds of the Exilic and Postexilic Era, pt 2.” Bibliotheca Sacra 137 (1980): 99–117.

RECOMMENDED READING: See the course syllabus.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Completion of weekly assigned reading material (approximately 100 pp. per week; 1,000 pp. total). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-3]. [70 hours].

  2. Attendance and participation. Regular contribution of answers, comments, and reflections on the instructor and other participants’ questions and comments (10%).

  3. Weekly posting of answers, comments, and reflections on the instructor and other participants’ questions and writings (250-300 words). (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-4]. [10 hours].

  4. Class presentation. (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-4]. [5 hours].

  5. Midterm exam (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-4]. [15 hours].

  6. FINAL exegesis paper (3,500-4,000 words). (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2-5]. [30 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Counts as a biblical elective for the 120 MDiv Program and the MATM and MAICS Programs (Winter 2010). Meets the OTBK requirement for the MAT Program (Winter 2010).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.


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.

For your convenience, order these texts online through the Archives Bookshop.