Religion101
Winter 2001
Goals of the course: I hope
that students taking this course will gain a familiarity with the general
content of the Hebrew Bible and gain experience interpreting specific readings
from it; will understand and be able to apply some of the modern
academic approaches to interpreting the Bible; and will understand
the most important ideas and values of Israelite society as these are expressed
in the Bible.
Interpretive approach: historical: trying to
re-create the meaning the text had in its own time and culture; descriptive:
describing with some objectivity the ideas expressed in the Bible, and
how they took form, changed, and often conflicted with each other;
and literary: paying attention to literary genres and styles
of expression.
Texts:
The Oxford Study Bible (="OSB" in assignments below)
Samuel Sandmel, The Enjoyment of Scripture
Photocopied readings from Mesopotamian sources, Greenstein, Exum, and Heschel
Course Requirements
* Eight 14-minute
quizzes. Each quiz will cover readings and lectures assigned since
the previous quiz, as well as any material discussed in class after the
previous quiz. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped. Quiz
days are marked on syllabus by asterisks. (21%)
* Worksheet in biblical
law: required
* An in-class essay
test, Feb. 7 . Bring blue books. (23%)
* An essay analyzing
a few biblical passages in relation to a specified topic, due March 23
(25%)
* Final exam comprising
a comprehensive essay question and a quiz on the last 2 weeks’ readings
(27%)
* (Possibly: attendance
of a public lecture on a biblical topic)
* Viewing of two
videotapes, with brief written responses (4%)
* Class participation may
raise the final grade by as much as 2%. Absences and lack of participation
will lower it. Over 4 unexcused absences=F
Meetings and Assignments
Please bring your bible to each class meeting!
January
8 Introduction to the Course. Is this book
really the bible? (on textual criticism)
10 Biblical Story-telling: Tamar, Hannah, Ruth, and Esther
Sandmel, "Narrative Prose" (14-45)
Genesis 38 1 Samuel 1-2
Ruth Esther
OSB 9-11* (*=pages in Articles section) "Reading this Bible"* 12 From Moses to J E D and P: Who wrote the Bible?
Sandmel, Intro (pp 3-13), Chaps 3 (56-62) and 4 (63-71 only)
Compare Genesis 1-2:3 with Genesis 2:4-3:24; read Genesis 6-8 for inconsistencies
in time and events (to discuss in class)
OSB 7-9, 12-16* (on Pentateuch and narrative forms)
15 Creation in Israel and Babylonia
Genesis: Intro, 1 - 2:4a
Be sure to read the introductions and notes in your study bibles that accompany each reading assignment!
Sandmel 71-73
"The Epic of Creation" [photocopy]
OSB 57-60*, 141-44* on Mesopotamian writings and deity
17 Further Origins
Genesis 2:4b - Chap. 11 Sandmel 73-82
"The Story of the Flood" [photocopy]
* 19 The Fathers and Mothers of Israel: Abraham and Sarah
Genesis 12-26 (watch for archeological references in notes)
Sandmel 82-98
OSB 48-55* on biblical archeology; Map 1
22 The Later Fathers and Mothers
Genesis 27-50
Sandmel 98-114
24 Moses and the Exodus
Exodus: Intro, 1-18
Sandmel 115-30 OSB Map 2
* 26 Sinai: Book of the Covenant
Exodus 19-24 Sandmel 130-37
"The Law Code of Hammurabi" [photocopy]; OSB 61-62*
29 Reasons for Biblical Law
Greenstein, "Biblical Law" [photocopy]
OSB 154-63* on the form and concept of covenant
* law worksheet due today
31 Laws for Holiness
Leviticus: Intro, 4-6:7, 11, 15-16, 19-20, 25
Sandmel 182-87 Milgrom, "Food and Faith" [photocopy]
OSB 190-96* on Israelite worship
February
2 Laws, Love, and History
Deuteronomy: Intro, 1, 4-11, 26, 28-30
Sandmel 137-50, 151-57* 5 Holy War, Holy Warriors
Joshua: Intro, 1-11, 24
Judges: Intro, 1-3
Sandmel 157-59 OSB 35-36* on history; Map 3
7 Essay Test9 Deliverance. Deborah: women in the bible
Judges 4-16
Exum, "Mother in Israel" [photocopy]; OSB 195-96*12 Kings and Temples: David and Solomon
Deuteronomy 17 OSB *68-78 on Israelite society
2 Samuel: Intro, 5-19 Psalm 89
1 Kings: Intro, 3-4, 8-9 Sandmel 169-77
14 Wisdom for Good and Gain
Proverbs: Intro, 1-15, 30-31
Sandmel 208-212
OSB 66-67*, 26-27*, 172-75* on wisdom literature* 16 Early Prophecy: "Troublers of Israel"
1 Kings 17-19, 21-22
2 Kings 1-3
Sandmel 177-81 OSB 64-66*, 146-47*, 164-67*; Map 526/28 Amos and Hosea
Amos (complete) Sandmel 237-51; OSB 167-68*
Hosea: 1-4 and esp. 2:13-23, 4:1-3
Heschel, "What Manner of Man is the Prophet?" [photocopy]
March
* 2 Isaiah: vision and justice
Isaiah: Intro, 1, 3, 5-6 Micah 6:6-8
Sandmel 251-55; OSB Map 65 Isaiah: history and the future
Isaiah 2, 7, 9-11, 28-31
2 Kings 16-207 Seventh Century Prophets: New Questions
Habakkuk (w/intro) 2 Kings 21-24
Jeremiah: Intro, 2-5, 7-9, 12, 26-29, 37-38
Sandmel 258-66; OSB 168-69** 9 Jeremiah's Torment, Hopes
Jeremiah 1, 14-20, 30-33; Numbers 11; Psalm 13712/14 Words of Exile and Restoration
Lamentations: Intro, 1, 2, 5 Ezekiel: Intro, 18, 37
Isaiah 40-55, 58-59
Sandmel 199-201, 266-76 OSB 169-71*; Map 716 "Love is strong as death"
Song of Songs (with intro)
Sandmel 188-96 (on poetic form), 196-9919 The Poetry of Worship: Law and Creation
1 Chronicles 16:4-42
Psalms 8, 15, 19, 104, 119:9-40 (esp. 19 & 104 for class)
Sandmel 201-07; OSB 17*, 551 (Intro to Psalms)* 21 "All day long I suffer torment"
Psalms 22, 49, 63, 73 (esp 73 for class discussion)23 Paper due today at 5:00 pm
26 Questioning Wisdom
Ecclesiastes (with intro)
Sandmel 213-3628 Questioning God
Job: Intro, 1-13, 31
Sandmel 221-36; OSB 175-80*30 Questioning Human Knowledge
Job 38-42
April
2/4/6 Apocalyptic: Seeing the End
Daniel (w/intro) Sandmel 279-83
2 Esdras: Intro, 5:1-12, 6:16-28, 7:1-44, 13:25-38
OSB 21-22*, 42-44*, 181-89*; Map 11