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Sample Syllabus
REL 2010: Biblical Literature: Hebrew Bible
Professor:
Dr. Rodney K. Duke
Contact Info.: Office 116A I.G.
Greer, 262-3091; email: dukerk
(I check email once a day. If you need an immediate response, call or come by. NO ASSIGNMENTS ACCEPTED BY EMAIL.) .
Office hours:
Course Rationale and Goal
Many people hold a specialized interest in
studying the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament (OT): the religious communities that hold it sacred,
historians, sociologists, archaeologists, philosophers, and all those who
appreciate literary beauty. More importantly however, most people, at least in
Western world and parts of the Eastern world, should realize that they have a
vested interest in the Bible (both Old and New Testaments). It has influenced
their formative political documents, laws, culture, concept of "rights" and
morality, etc.
Despite this vested interest in the OT, too many people
allow others to tell them what this body of literature says and means. Moreover, the
modern reader who does strive for independent knowledge of the OT often does not know how
to read it skillfully, since the OT is composed of writings of different literary types
which belonged to the ancient world. This course seeks to help the kind of person
who engages the issues of life to develop basic skills for reading the OT independently
with understanding.
Personal Expectations
Teacher: should strive to be helpful, available, and
respectful; return work promptly; and, be open to learning from students'
insights and perspectives.
Students: should strive to be fearless by asking questions, by
volunteering responses, and by being willing to be "wrong" in order to push the
learning curve.
Specific Objectives
You should be able to:
 | Explain what makes effective communication effective. |
| Recognize the different types of literature in the OT and demonstrate
how to read them with a consciously applied reading strategy. |
| Place the OT literature in its historical and cultural context. |
| Provide an overview of the general divisions and content of the OT.
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| Improve written communication skills. |
This course will serve as a means of developing skills in
observation, analysis, and synthesis that should be helpful in many of your
courses. Also, it is hoped that this course will provide the opportunity for you
to reflect on contemporary religious, ethical, and social issues.
Methods of Instruction
| Exploratory (inductive) readings of select OT texts for their literary
features and meaning. |
| Lectures and readings in assigned texts to gain control over the
necessary background data. |
| Pairs, small group, and class-wide discussion to contribute, clarify,
and evaluate observations and concepts. |
| Written assignments, quizzes, and tests to develop and assess
comprehension and skill. |
General Procedure
Outside class: You will be asked to prepare daily
assignments that focus on controlling the content of textbook material, exploring the
biblical texts, and drawing conclusions concerning implications and application.
Inside class: You will be asked to work in pairs
and in groups of 4-5 to share what they have learned, to help one another
develop reading methods and skills, and to take quizzes. (Such group work
will be used for cooperative learning purposes, since there are some areas in
which students can benefit more from working together rather than alone.)
It will, therefore, be necessary for each student to prepare, attend, and
participate daily in order for the course to provide maximum benefit for all.
(You will be graded, however, primarily on the basis
of individual work and only minimally on the basis of group work.)
I will introduce material not in the textbooks, provide guidance for the
assignments and in-class exercises, and seek to model the skills the students are to
acquire.
Determination of Grade
1. Tests: 40% of the final grade. Four unit tests of equal value,
each one cumulative. The fourth test will be the final examination.
2. Preparation: 40% of final grade. (Avg. determined according to
the number of assignments and quizzes given.)
| a) This is a "writing-designated course." Written
assignments, which are to be typed, will be given for each class period and will not be accepted late for
unexcused absences. These will be collected regularly, but unannounced. They
will be graded on the basis of completeness, thoughtfulness, and correct formal style (0 -
20 points). See, "Guidelines for Written
Assignments." |
| b) Uncollected assignments will be awarded 10 points for completeness, 0,
if incomplete. |
| c) Quizzes may also be given (0-20 points.) These scores will be
averaged in with the assignment scores. |
3. Participation: 20%! of final grade. Determined by self, peer,
and instructor evaluation. (See "Class Participation Estimate.")
Absences/Make-up
Policy
| No make-up tests will be given except for significant
reasons (e.g., emergency or school-sponsored trip). Students should
contact me
before
the day of the test and are responsible to reschedule the test as soon as
possible. |
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No credit will be given for missed assignments or quizzes, if the absence is not excusable. A maximum of three class hours of absences may be fully excused (absence and assignment). In such cases, it is strongly recommended that students still do the assignments and turn them in late for credit. There will be no excused absences for days before and after the breaks without supporting documents such as a doctor’s note. |
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To obtain an excused* absence: provide a written note
on the day you return, citing: name, course and section number, group letter, date of class missed, assignment # or quiz involved, and reason for absence. Clarify if you were unable to complete the assignment and would like it to be excused or if you will be turning it in late. (Notes from a physician usually not required, but see #2 above.)
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*Note: Excuses are for the days missed and do not cover the assignment
for the next class attended. Students are responsible to obtain the next
assignment from a fellow student and to prepare it.
Additional Policies
Required Texts
| The New International Version Bible. To be purchased. |
| Peter C. Craigie, The Old Testament: Its Background, Growth, &
Content (Abingdon, 1986). Hardback for rent. |
| "Course Pack" of handouts. For purchase at the
Bookstore. |
Philosophy of Education
| "Now it is not difficult to see that one must not make amusement the
object of the education of the young; for amusement does not go with
learning--learning is a painful process." (Aristotle, Politics, VIII.4:4. 1339a 26)
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CONTENT
TRACK
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SKILL
TRACK |
UNIT 1
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Scope
and content of OT
OT story |
DEVELOP A "COMMUNICATION
MODEL"
LITERARY METHOD
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UNIT 2
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World
of the Ancient Near East
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HOW TO READ Wisdom literature: Proverbs
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UNIT 3
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Israel's
system of worship
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HOW TO READ Hymnic literature: Psalms
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UNIT 4
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Israel's
historiography, covenant, law
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HOW TO READ Narrative and legal literature: select readings
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"Appalachian State University is committed to making reasonable
accommodations for individuals with documented qualifying disabilities
in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Those seeking
accommodations based on a substantially limiting disability must contact
and register with The Office of Disability Services (ODS) atwww.ods.appstate.edu <http://www.ods.appstate.edu>
<http://www.ods.appstate.edu/> or 828-262-3056. Once registration is
complete, individuals will meet with ODS staff to discuss eligibility
and appropriate accommodations."
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