Course Description

Course covers the biblical books that are not covered in Old Testament/Hebrew Bible Literature (the narrative books) and Prophetic Literature of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible (the prophets). Included are poetry (Psalms), wisdom (Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes), and the Five Scrolls (Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther).

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will do additional readings, have graduate- level exams, and submit a graduate-level research paper.

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Athena Title

Psalms Job Other HB Writings

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Prerequisite

Sophomore or junior or senior standing or permission of department

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Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

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Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will analyze the literary techniques, rhetorical structures, and thematic elements of the Psalms, the Book of Job, and other Hebrew Bible writings.
• Students will describe the historical, religious, and cultural settings in which these texts were composed to better grasp their meanings and purposes.
• Students will compare and contrast the various genres within the Psalms, Wisdom Literature (e.g., Job, Ecclesiastes, Proverbs), and other poetic and narrative texts, understanding their role in ancient Israelite thought and worship.
• Students will apply multiple interpretive frameworks to study selected texts, generating a range of plausible meanings and recognizing how different perspectives shape interpretation.
• Students will utilize historical, literary, and theological methods to assess and determine the most plausible interpretations of these writings.
• Students will design a creative project that encourage deeper engagement with these texts, fostering critical thinking and a dynamic understanding of their meaning and significance.

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Topical Outline

• Introduction
• The Book of Psalms
• Wisdom Literature a. The Book of Job b. The Book of Proverbs c. The Book of Ecclesiastes
• The Five Scrolls a. The Book of Song of Songs b. The Book of Ruth c. The Book of Lamentations d. The Book of Ecclesiastes e. The Book of Esther

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Syllabus

Select Faculty / Instructor to download syllabus:   Friedman, Richard

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