Winter 2016/Pasadena

OT517

Lee

OT517: DEUTERONOMY (ENGLISH TEXT) (4 Units: 160 hours). Kyong-Jin Lee.

DESCRIPTION: A contextual and interpretive study of the Book of Deuteronomy. 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: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated that they (1) have studied the text of Deuteronomy (2) can interpret passages within it in their own right and in their socio-historical, literary, and canonical contexts; (3) have identified central issues in the critical study of it; (4) can articulate its primary theological and ethical concerns; (5) can use English-based tools for interpreting it; and (6) can interpret it faithfully and creatively in the context of their congregation, of the contemporary world and of their own lives.

COURSE FORMAT:The class meets twice weekly for two hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom, for lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED READING: approximately 1000 pages in total required.

NRSV, TNIV, or CEB Bible.

Cook, Stephen L. Reading Deuteronomy: A Literary and Theological Commentary. Smyth and Helwys Publishing, 2015. ISBN: 978-1573127578, Pub. Price $22.00 [250 pp.].

Nelson, Richard D.Deuteronomy: a commentary. Westminster John Knox, 2004. ISBN: 978-0664229542, Pub. Price $55.00 [250 pp.].

Reading material posted on Moodle. See the following sampling: [500 pp. total assigned].

Latvus, Kari. God, Anger and Ideology. The Anger of God in Joshua and Judges in Relation to Deuteronomy and the Priestly Writings. Sheffield Academic Press, 1998.

Miller, Patrick D. "Constitution or Instruction? The Purpose of Deuteronomy." Constituting the Community: Studies on the Polity of Ancient Israel in Honor of S. Dean McBride, Jr. Ed. John T. Strong and Steven S. Tuell. Winona Lake, Ind.: Eisenbrauns, 2005. 125-141.

Mbuwayesango, Dora Rudo. "Canaanite Women and Israelite Women in Deuteronomy: The Intersection of Sexism and Imperialism."Postcolonial Interventions: Essays in Honor of RS Sugirtharajah. Edited by Liew and Benny Tat-Siong. Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2009. 45-57.

Richter, Sandra L. "The Place of the Name in Deuteronomy." Vetus Testamentum 57 (2007): 342-66.

Schaper, Joachim. "A Theology of Writing: The Oral and the Written, God as Scribe, and the Book of Deuteronomy." Anthropology and Biblical Studies: Avenues of Approach. Edited by Louise J. Lawrence and Mario I. Aguilar. Leiden: Deo, 2004. 97-119.

Song, Angeline M. “Imaging Moses and Miriam Re-Imaged: Through the Emphatic Looking Glass of a Singaporean Peranakan Woman.” Exodus and Deuteronomy: Texts and Contexts. Edited by Athalya Brenner and Gale A. Yee. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2012. 169-182.

Zakovitch, Yair. “The Woman’s Rights in the Biblical Law of Divorce.” Jewish Law Annual 4 (1981): 28-46.

RECOMMENDED READING: See the course syllabus.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Completion of weekly assigned reading material (100 pages approximately). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 1-3]. (For assessment, see 2). [70 hours].

  2. Attendance and participation. Completion of weekly reading material, regular contribution of answers, comments, and reflections on the instructor and other participants’ questions and comments (10%). [40 hours].

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

  4. Midterm exam (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 1-4]. [15 hours].

  5. Final exegesis paper (A 3000-3500 word- study of a text of about ten to thirty verses, chosen with the agreement of the professor). (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2-6]. [30 hours].

PREREQUISITES: BI500 or NE502; OT500 or OT501 or OT502.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Counts as a biblical elective for the 120 MDiv, 80 MAT, and 80 MATM Programs (Fall 2015). Meets the OTBK requirement for the MAT Program (Winter 2010).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.


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.