OT588/801
Allen
OT588/801: CRITICAL APPROACHES TO THE OLD TESTAMENT. Leslie C. Allen.
DESCRIPTION:
- This seminar, shared with PhD and ThM students, bridges a gap
between MDiv core courses and research work. It covers the older perspectives
relating to text, forms, sources and redaction, and also more recent
approaches, new literary criticism and rhetorical and canonical
criticism.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- This course has no direct relevance: it prepares for research and
academic teaching. However, inasmuch as it reveals the often implicit
presuppositions of commentators, it clarifies the general task of
exegesis.
COURSE FORMAT:
- This class will meet two hours a week for discussion.
REQUIRED READING:
- Alter, R. The Art of Biblical Narrative. New York: Basic
Books, 1983.
- Barton, J. Reading the Old Testament. Louisville: Westminster,
1984.
- Childs, B. S. Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture.
Louisville: Westminster, 1979.
- Habel, N. Literary Criticism of the Old Testament. Minneapolis:
Fortress, 1971.
- McCarter, P. K. Textual Criticism. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1986.
- McKenzie, S. L. and S. R. Haynes. To Each Its Own Meaning.
Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 1993.
- Sanders, J. A. Canon and Community. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1984.
- __________. From Sacred Story to Sacred Text. Minneapolis: Fortress,
1987.
- Steck, O. H. Old Testament Exegesis: A Guide to the Methodology.
Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1995.
- Trible, P. Rhetorical Criticism. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1994.
- Tucker, G. M. Form Criticism of the Old Testament. Minneapolis:
Fortress, 1971.
- Also such duplicated material as is set in the schedule of
sessions.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Noble, P. R. The Canonical Approach. Leiden: Brill,
1995.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- The reading required for each seminar must be done beforehand, if a
good grade is to be achieved. A term paper on one perspective of the course
will be required.
PREREQUISITES:
- OTA, OTB, OTC. The professor's permission is necessary for this
course.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Elective.
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- None.