HEBREW BIBLE II

COS 411

Summer 2010

July 8-16, 8:30-11:30 AM

Instructor: James D. Findlay

Email: james.findlay@csun.edu 

Course Objectives:

1. Students will become familiar with the religion and history of ancient Israel and surrounding cultures.
2. Students will learn and utilize critical methods to understand the Old Testament within its ancient literary, social, and historical context, and to engage in responsible and creative Scriptural interpretation.
3. Students will be able to view their own interpretations and those of others in today’s multi-cultural context.
4. Students will grow in their understanding of the content and message of the texts of the Prophets and the Writings, and discern their relevance for preaching, ministry, and mission in contemporary faith communities.

Textbooks:

John J. Collins.  Introduction to the Hebrew Bible.  Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004.

Anthony R. Ceresko.  Introduction to Old Testament Wisdom: A Spirituality for Liberation.  Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1999. 

The Bible.  English: NRSV Translation recommended, although JPS, NIV, RSV, NAB, Jerusalem Bible are also available. 

Course Requirements: 

* Exam: A Take-Home Exam will be due at the start of class session on Fri. July 16.

* Papers: There will be TWO papers due for this class.

(1) Students will prepare an essay and submit it on the first day of class.  In this essay, students must address (a) their understanding of prophecy and wisdom in their own lives and ministries; (b) their view of the biblical books of the prophets and wisdom; and (c) the use of these books in the life of the churches in which they have been involved.

(2) Students will prepare an interpretive essay.  It will be due Wed. July 14, and will be an exegetical, historical, and literary analysis of an Old Testament text chosen in consultation with the Instructor.  This paper should be 7-10 pages in length, double-spaced.

* Class Participation and Discussion 

Grading

Pre-Assignment 15%

Interpretive Essay 35%

Exam   30%

Class Participation and Discussion 20% 

9 Class Sessions 

Session 1, Thurs. July 8

Introduction; Syllabus; Definition of Approach: Literary, Historical, Sociological; Covenant of Respect and Honor for Multiple Points of View; Canon and Text Issues; Definition of Prophecy

READING: Collins, 1-22, 283-286. 

Session 2, Fri. July 9

Isaiah.  Readings: Isaiah 1-2, 6, 9, 11-12, 23-24, 34-5, 40-42, 52-53, 61-62, 66.  Collins, 307-321, 379-400. 

Session 3, Mon. July 12

Jeremiah.  Readings: Jeremiah 1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 18-20, 26-29, 31-32, 36-37, 42-44, 51-52.  Collins, 334-347. 

Session 4, Tues. July 13

Ezekiel.  Readings: Ezekiel 1-4, 8-11, 16-18, 21-22, 24, 28, 37, 40, 47-48.  Collins, 353-374. 

Session 5, Wed. July 14

INTERPRETIVE PAPER DUE

From the Twelve Prophets: Hosea, Amos, Micah, Zechariah.  Readings: Hosea 1-4, 11-12, 14.  Amos 1-2, 4, 6, 8-9.  Micah 2-3, 5-7.  Zechariah 1, 3-4, 7-9, 13-14.  Collins, 286-304, 321-324, 404-415. 

Session 6, Thurs. July 15.

Psalms.  Readings: Psalms 1-2, 5, 8, 29-30, 37-38, 42, 45-46, 51, 58, 66-67, 72, 78, 82, 84, 88, 90-91, 99-100, 104-107, 117, 119, 123-128, 133-134, 137, 139, 146, 150.  Collins, 461-480. 

Session 7, Fri. July 16.

Job, Ecclesiastes (Qoheleth). Proverbs, Wisdom of Ben Sira.  Proverbs 1, 7-9, 12, 22-23, 25, 30-31. Ben Sira 1-2, 10, 24-25, 36-37, 44-51.  Job 1-3, 8-10, 22-24, 31-33, 38-42.  Ecclesiastes 1-4, 7-8, 11-12.  Ceresko, 1-138.

FINAL EXAM DUE