Winter 2019/Pasadena

OT500

Crouch

OT500: OLD TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION (4 Units: 160 hours). Carly L. Crouch

DESCRIPTION: This course orients students to the literature of the Old Testament in its various literary, historical, and theological contexts and to Old Testament interpretation in service of Christian practice. The books of Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, 2 Samuel, Job, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel will be the focus of study.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete this course will have demonstrated that they: (1) have a basic grasp of the contents of Israel’s Scriptures, history, and geography; (2) can use interpretive approaches that explore both the literary features of the Old Testament 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 Old Testament texts.

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.

REQUIRED READING: 1,050 total pages required.

NRSV, TNIV, or CEB Bible [Genesis; Exodus; Deuteronomy; 2 Samuel; Job; Psalms 42-106; Isaiah 1-14, 40-53, 63-66; Jeremiah 1-45; Daniel]. [250 pp.]

Barstad, Hans M. A Brief Guide to the Hebrew Bible. Translated by Rannfrid Thelle. Westminster John Knox, 2010. ISBN: 978-0664233259. Publisher’s price $30.00. [150 pp. assigned].

Course reader [650 pp.; includes Graham Davies, Wilda Gafney, Herbert Marbury, Jorge Pixley, Matthew Schlimm, Suzanne Scholz, Yvonne Sherwood, etc.]

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. 1,050 pages of required reading [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-5] [65 hours].
  2. Participation in in-class activities (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-5]. [40 hours].
  3. Completion of 10 reflective essays [1-2 pages / 250-500 words] (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-5]. [20 hours].
  4. Final exam covering readings and lecture (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-5]. [5 hours].
  5. An interpretive essay on a biblical passage [10-14 pages / 2,500-3,500 words]. (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-5]. [30 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets a core requirement in the 120 MDiv, 80 MAT, 80 MATM, and 80 MAICS Programs (Fall 2015). Meets the OTC requirement in the 144 MDiv. Option to meet requirement in the MAT Program (Winter 2010) and a core requirement for the MATM, MAICS, and MACL Programs (Winter 2010).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes. In-class.

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.