To expose the student to the content of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible as well as the
history of scholarship, including various critical methodologies (textual criticism,
literary criticism, source criticism, traditio-historical criticism, sociological
criticism, archaeological approaches, etc.).

Communicate Effectively through Writing

To strengthen skills in written composition, analysis, and presentation by means of
projects such as essays, papers, reports, and examinations.

Communicate Effectively through Speech

To strengthen skills in oral expression, analysis, style, and interaction by means
such as class reports, class discussion, and oral examinations.

Critical Thinking

To foster critical thinking by engaging in activities such as classroom discussion
and debate, essay examinations, and oral presentations.

Moral Reasoning (Ethics)

To assist in the continued development of moral and ethical reasoning and reflection
by encouraging creative thinking regarding individual and community concerns and
needs, the challenging of prejudices and stereotypes, and examining rational and
ethical bases of constructive social interactions.

1.	Introduction: Class logistics (Syllabus, requirements, attendance, etc.)
	Bible Translations; The Academic Study of Religion 

2.	The Religions of the Ancient Near East
	Ethnicity in the Ancient Near East

3.      Egyptian Religion
		  	          
4.	Mesopotamian Religion
 
5.	Canaanite Religion

6.	Israelite Religion

7.	Introduction to the Hebrew Bible
	Canon & Canonization

8.	Modern Approaches to Biblical Study
		Texts & Versions; The Historical Critical Method (2 principles of
                interpretation); Source Criticism (Anachronisms in the Pentateuch &
                the JEDP Hypothesis); Various Critical Methodologies

9.	Israel's Ancestors: The Patriarchal Narratives & Backgrounds
	The Historicity of the Patriarchs?; Patriarchal Religion

10.	The Exodus and the Figure of Moses

11.	Covenant

12.	Joshua and the Emergence of Israel  (The "Conquest"/Settlement Question)

13.	The Formation of an All-Israelite Epic 

14.	The Tribal Confederacy: The Book of Judges

15.	Samuel and the Transition to Kingship; Saul

16.	David

17.	The Royal Psalms and the Ideology of Kingship

18	Solomon; The Court History/Succession Narrative

19.	The Divided Kingdom; What was the "Sin" of Jeroboam?
	  	          
20.	The Omride Dynasty; Elijah and Elisha

21.	The Office of Prophecy

22.	Amos

23.	Hosea

24.	Isaiah; Who is Isaiah’s Immanuel?

25.	Micah
	
26.	The Deuteronomistic History (and vaticinia ex eventu)

27.	Jeremiah and "The Doom of the Nation"

28.	Ezekiel

29.	The Priestly Writer
		  	          
30.	Second Isaiah
	    
31.	The "Suffering Servant"

32.	The Chronicler

33.	Haggai and Zechariah 1-8

34.	Obadiah, Malachi

35.	Joel, Third Isaiah
	Zechariah 9-14, Protest Literature, and the Beginnings of Apocalyptic
	
36.	Psalms and Poetry
	    
37.	Wisdom Literature
	Proverbs, Ecclesiastes

38.	The Book of Job

39.	Jonah, Esther & the Hellenistic Period

40.	Apocalyptic Literature; The Book of Daniel

All academic work must meet standards contained in "A Culture of Honesty." Each
student is responsible to inform themselves about those standards before performing
any academic work.