The nature, content, and problems of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, with attention given to historical data, literary forms, and ancient Near Eastern cultural backgrounds.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students: Additional readings will be assigned along with a research paper. Graduate examinations will be much more extensive to reflect the graduate students' additional responsiblities.
Athena Title
Old Testament/Hebrew Bible Lit
Prerequisite
Junior or senior standing or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered every even-numbered year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will learn how to assess and critically analyze various genres of biblical texts, moving from basic understanding to more sophisticated, in-depth analysis.
Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the historical development, structure, and content of the Hebrew Bible, including its diverse genres, narrative elements, and key historical contexts.
Students will analyze early poetic works in the Hebrew Bible, such as Exodus 15, Judges 5, and Deuteronomy 33, to explore themes of conquest, identity, and tribal history.
Students will investigate the historical and prophetic literature of the Hebrew Bible, particularly the books of Samuel, Kings, and the prophetic texts, to understand the development of Israelite society and its religious and political dynamics.
Students will study the foundational texts of the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) with an emphasis on interpreting themes such as creation, covenant, law, and the Exodus narrative.
Students will develop critical thinking skills by formulating and sharing analytical questions on selected texts, and participate in class discussions that encourage deep engagement with the material and diverse interpretations.
Topical Outline
The structure and history of the Bible
Early poems
Judges, Samuel, and Kings
Introduction to the Pentateuch
The Patriarchs
The Exodus
Prophetic writings
