Spring 2015/Pasadena

OT551

Goldingay

OT551/865: OLD TESTAMENT ETHICS SEMINAR (4 Units: 160 Hours/6 units; 385 hours). John Goldingay.

DESCRIPTION: The course is a PhD seminar on the content of Old Testament ethics, on method in the study of Old Testament ethics, and on issues raised by setting the Old Testament in the context of Christian faith and vice versa.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who pass the course will have demonstrated that they have (1) read a number of the books of the Old Testament and reflected on their ethical significance; (2) considered key questions about the ethical interpretation of the Old Testament; and (3) reflected on the relationship between Old Testament ethics and New Testament ethics.

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 (including reading of the Old Testament text in Hebrew) plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours. Professor Goldingay will give presentations at the opening and closing classes. Classes in between will include discussion of the ethical implication of specific books in the Old Testament and student presentations on ethical issues within the Old Testament and on key secondary texts.

REQUIRED READING: 1,000 total pp. required.

Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Judges, Proverbs, Isaiah, Amos [480 pp.].

Wright, C. J. H. Old Testament Ethics for the People of God. InterVarsity Press, 2004. ISBN: 978-0830839612, Pub. Price $35.00 [520 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:

See course syllabus.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 100 pp. of weekly assigned readings in the Old Testament and secondary literature [90 hours] [This assignment relates to learning outcomes #1, 2, and 3].

2. Weekly postings on Moodle in connection with assigned reading (25% for #1 and #2) [10 hours] [This assignment relates to learning outcomes #1, 2, and 3].

3. Master’s Only: 5,000-6,000 word [10-12 pp. single space] research/reflection paper on issues in the study of Old Testament ethics in the context of faith in Christ, written in light of the assigned reading and the classes (75%) [This assignment relates to learning outcomes #1, 2, and 3] [30 hours].

4. PhD Only: Two 2,000 word [3-4 pp. single space] presentations to the class (25%) [This assignment relates to learning outcomes #1, 2, and 3].

5. PhD Only: 8,000-10,000 word [12-16 pp. single space] research/reflection paper on issues in the study of Old Testament ethics in the context of faith in Christ, written in light of the assigned reading and the classes (50%) [This assignment relates to learning outcomes #1, 2, and 3].

PREREQUISITES: Master’s students: LG502 and completion of M.Div. Old Testament requirements with an average grade of at least A-.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Option to meet Christian Ethics Emphasis requirement.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.