Religion 101: Introduction to the Hebrew Bible University of Rochester Department of Religion and Classics Fall 2010

Instructor: Anne Merideth Office: 434 Rush Rhees Library Office Hours: Fridays, 11am-1pm & by appt.

Phone: 275-9367 (O); 473-6625 (H) E-Mail: anne.merideth@rochester.edu Web: http://my.rochester.edu

Course Description This course is designed as a general introduction to the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament for Christians), to historical-critical methods of biblical studies, and to the results of recent biblical scholarship. The aim of our study is to examine carefully the texts of the Hebrew Bible within the context of the Ancient Near Eastern culture in which they were composed. This will involve an examination of the religious and theological meanings, historical contexts, the sociological settings, the literary genres, and the major themes of the various parts of the Hebrew Bible. While recognizing the enormous contemporary religious significance of these texts for many people, our aim in this class is to explore what these texts can tell us about the history, religion and culture of ancient Israel. Therefore, we will approach the texts of the Hebrew Bible as we would any other texts from antiquity, namely from a historical-critical perspective and, thus, will use the analytical tools of the modern biblical scholar. Course Goals Studying all the texts of the Hebrew Bible, as well as the history and religion of the people of ancient Israel as it is reflected in these texts, in one semester is a challenging task. In this course, my specific objectives and goals are: 1. To provide students with general literary and historical information that illuminates the texts of the Hebrew Bible while highlighting the central religious, cultural, and theological themes developed in different sections of the Hebrew Bible; To acquaint students with the various basic methods of modern critical study of the Hebrew Bible; To familiarize students with the trajectories of interpretation that have been developed within the field of biblical studies in connection with various texts as well as to point out which interpretive issues continue to be sites of critical contestation and dispute; To help students develop the analytical acumen and critical skills that will enable them to become thoughtful interpreters of ancient texts.

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Course Requirements 1. Three Examinations: Examination I will cover all the material from Lecture 1 Lecture 14 (Torah material); Examination II will cover all the material from Lecture 15 Lecture 27 (Neviim material); Examination III will cover all the material from Lecture 28 - Lecture 37 (Kethuvim material). I will post a study guide on Blackboard at least one week before each exam. a. Examination I: Wednesday, October 6, 2010. (20%) b. Examination II: Friday, November 12, 2010. (25%) c. Examination III: Monday, December 13, 2010. (25%) 2. Final Essay Examination OR Book Review Essay: Students have the choice of either writing a Final Essay Examination during the Final Examination period assigned to this course by the registrar OR writing a 5 page/1250 word Book Review Essay. (30%) a. Final Essay Examination: The final exam is a three hour comprehensive essay exam in which students write two essays that require them to draw upon material from the entire semester. I will provide students with a study sheet to help them prepare for the final exam. All students who do not write the academic book review essay (see below) must take the final examination. The Final Examination time assigned to this course is Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 12:30pm. OR b. Book Review Essay: Students read one additional scholarly/academic book on a topic related to any aspect of the course and will write a 5 page/1250 word academic book review. Students should select a book from the bibliography of books Blackboard and may also select any book cited by Coogan in your textbook. Students should consult the Guidelines for the Book Review handout (forthcoming) as well as Blackboard for additional guidelines and information about how to write an academic book review. The Book Review Essay is due in class on Friday, December 3, 2010.

Course Materials y The Bible You must use either the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible or the Jewish Publication Society Tanakh translation in the Jewish Study Bible. The bookstore has copies of the Harper Collins Study Bible or the Oxford Annotated Bible or the JPS Bible that all contain invaluable introductions, notes, maps, etc. Other translations such as the King James Version, the New English Bible, the New American Bible, the New International Version, etc. are not acceptable for the purposes of this course. Michael D. Coogan, The Old Testament: A Historical and Literary Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures (2nd edition) We will read most of Coogan, but not straight through from beginning to end. Pay careful attention to the page numbers/chapters assigned to each class. Weekly Study Sheets and Examination Study Guides (Blackboard) 2

Blackboard http://my.rochester.edu The following materials are available on Blackboard: y y y y y A copy of the syllabus. Weekly study sheets with links to helpful websites that focus on particular issues and topics. Study sheets for each of the three in-class exams as well as for the final exam will be posted to Blackboard approximately at least one week before the exam. Guidelines for writing the Book Review (if you select that option) as well as various links and resources to help you write an academic book review. Additional links to websites that are useful for students of the Hebrew Bible and ancient Israel. Course Miscellanea 1. If you have any sort of disability (e.g., physical, learning, etc.), please contact me personally as soon as possible so that we can work together to help you get the most out of this course. I am more than happy to make any appropriate and necessary accommodations. Please note that all suspected cases of plagiarism or any other form of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Academic Honesty Review Board to be adjudicated according to University policies and regulations. Please turn off your cell phone/blackberry/texting during class. If you choose to take notes on your laptop, please do not surf the web or use the internet while in class. Use of these forms of electronic media during lecture is a distraction for others in the classroom. Please note that except in cases of documented medical emergencies, it will not be possible to take make-up examinations or to receive any extensions. If students need to miss a class, to have an examination rescheduled, or to request an extension for legitimate reasons (e.g., religious observance, professional or graduate school interview, excessive personal examination schedule for a particular day, previously scheduled family obligation, nonemergency medical appointment, etc.), I am more than happy to make appropriate accommodations as long as students make their request at least one full week in advance. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns as soon as possible.

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Course Outline Introduction Problems and Presuppositions: Modern Critical Study of the Bible The World of the Bible: Geography, Chronology, Archaeology I. Torah: Law A. The Yahwist 1. Creation and the Primeval Era 2. Israels Ancestors 3. Roles of Women and Men in Israelite Society 4. Egypt and the Exodus 5. From Sinai to Canaan B. The Elohist C. The Priestly Editor 1. Cult and Law 2. The Ten Commandments II. Neviim: Prophets A. The Former Prophets: The Deuteronomistic History 1. The Emergence of Israel 2. The Tribal League and Its Judges 3. The Monarchy 4. David: King of Kings 5. The Divided Monarchy B. The Latter Prophets 1. Prophecy in Israel 2. Amos: Prophet of Social Justice 3. Isaiah of Jerusalem 4. Jeremiah and the Fall of Judah 5. Second Isaiah: Prophet to the Exiles 6. Zechariah, Jonah, and the Reconstruction of Israels Identity III. Kethuvim: Writings A. Historical Writings: The Chronicler B. Psalms and Israelite Worship C. Wisdom Literature 1. Proverbs 2. Job 3. Ecclesiastes D. Festal Scrolls 1. Ruth and Esther E. Apocalyptic Writings and Daniel Conclusion The Canon of the Hebrew Bible

Course Schedule: Lecture Topics and Readings Introduction Lecture 1: Wed 9/1 Lecture 2: Fri 9/3 Mon 9/6 Lecture 3: Wed 9/8 Introduction

Problems and Presuppositions: Studying the Bible in the Modern Era Coogan: Chapter 1 Labor Day No Class Enjoy! The World of the Bible: Chronology, Geography, Archaeology Coogan: Chapter 2 I. Torah: Law

Lecture 4: Fri 9/10 Lecture 5: Mon 9/13 Lecture 6: Wed 9/15

Reading the Torah Coogan: Chapter 4 The Yahwist (J) Coogan: Chapter 4 The Yahwist (J): Creation and the Primeval Era Bible: The Yahwistic sections of Genesis 1-11 Coogan: Chapter 3; Chapter 5, especially pp. 57-60 The Yahwist (J): Israels Ancestors Bible: The Yahwistic sections of Genesis 12-50 Coogan: Chapter 6 The Yahwist (J): Women and Men in Israelite Society

Lecture 7: Fri 9/17

Lecture 8: Mon 9/20 Lecture 9: Wed 9/22

The Yahwist (J): Egypt and the Exodus Bible: The Yahwistic Sections of Exodus 1-15 Coogan: Chapter 7 The Yahwist (J): Sinai to Canaan Bible: The Yahwistic Sections of Exodus 15-34, Numbers 10-24 Coogan: Chapter 8, Chapter 11 The Elohist (E) Bible: The Elohistic Sections of Genesis, Exodus, and Numbers Coogan: Chapter 4, p. 52; Chapter 6, pp. 73-75 & Box 6.2

Lecture 10: Fri 9/24

Lecture 11: Mon 9/27

Lecture 12: Wed 9/29

The Priestly Editor (P) Bible: The Priestly Sections of Genesis 1-Exodus 19, Exodus 31-34, Numbers 1-24 Coogan: Chapter 4, p. 53; Chapter 3, pp. 31-37; Chapter 5, pp. 60-67, Chapter 6, especially pp. 75-79 The Priestly Editor (P): The Cult and the Law Bible: Civil and Religious Laws (Covenant Code) Exodus 21:1-3:19 Instructions for the Sanctuary, Exodus 25 Laws for Sacrifice, Leviticus 1-7 Investiture of Aaron as High Priest, Lev 8 Holiness Code, Leviticus 19, 26 Israelite Census, Numbers 1-2 Coogan: Chapter 9, Chapter 10 The Priestly Editor (P): The Ten Commandments Bible: Exodus 20:1-17 Coogan: Chapter 8, especially pp. 116-125 Examination I II. Neviim: Prophets

Lecture 13: Fri 10/1

Lecture 14: Mon 10/4

Wed 10/6

Lecture 15: Fri 10/8 Mon 10/11 Lecture 16: Wed 10/13

Reading the Prophets

Fall Break No Class Enjoy! The Former Prophets: The Deuteronomistic History Bible: Deuteronomy 1-12, 26-34; 2 Kings 22-23 Coogan: Chapter 12 The Deuteronomistic History: The Emergence of Israel Bible: Joshua 1-12, 23-24 Coogan: Chapter 13 The Deuteronomistic History: The Tribal League Bible: Judges 1-8, 13-16 Coogan: Chapter 14 (Skip section on Ruth) The Deuteronomistic History: The Monarchy Bible: 1 Samuel 1-16, 2 Samuel 1-8, 1 Kings 3-11 Coogan: Chapter 15 The Deuteronomistic History: David-King of Kings Bible: 1 Samuel 9-20, 1 Kings 1-2 Coogan: Chapter 16, Chapter 17 6

Lecture 17: Fri 10/15

Lecture 18: Mon 10/18

Lecture 19: Wed 10/20

Lecture 20: Fri 10/22

Lecture 21: Mon 10/25

The Deuteronomistic History: The Divided Monarchy Bible: 1 Kings 12-22, 2 Kings 1-2, 14-25 Coogan: Chapter 18; Chapter 19, pp. 308-312 The Latter Prophets: Prophecy in Israel Coogan: Chapter 18, pp. 297-302 Amos: Prophet of Social Justice Bible: Amos Coogan: Chapter 19, especially pp. 312-318 Isaiah of Jerusalem Bible: Isaiah 1-12, 28-33 Coogan: Chapter 20 Jeremiah and the Fall of Judah Bible: Jeremiah 1-7; 11:18-12:6; 15:10-21;17:14-18; 18:18-23; 20:7-18; 26-39 Coogan: Chapter 21, especially pp. 348-355; Chapter 22, especially pp. 364-378 Second Isaiah: Prophet to the Exiles Bible: Isaiah 40-55 Coogan: Chapter 24, Chapter 23 (skim) Zechariah, Jonah, and the Reconstruction of Israels Identity Bible: Zechariah, Jonah Coogan: Chapter 25; Chapter 26; Chapter 30, pp. 516-517 Extra Study Day No Class! Examination II III. Kethuvim: Writings

Lecture 22: Wed 10/27 Lecture 23: Fri 10/29

Lecture 24: Mon 11/1

Lecture 25: Wed 11/3

Lecture 26: Fri 11/5

Lecture 27: Mon 11/8

Wed 11/10 Fri 11/12

Lecture 28: Mon 11/15 Lecture 29: Wed 11/17

Reading the Writings

The Chronicler Bible: 1 Chronicles 28-29; 2 Chronicles 34-36; Ezra; Nehemiah Coogan: Chapter 25 pp 415-417, Chapter 26, pp. 425-430; Chapter 27, pp. 440-448 The Book of Psalms and Israelite Worship Bible: Psalms 8, 12, 22, 23, 29, 31, 33, 42-43, 51, 80, 90, 100, 103, 104, 137, 146, 147 Coogan: Chapter 27, pp. 448-459

Lecture 30: Fri 11/19

Lecture 31: Mon 11/22

The Book of Psalms and Israelite Worship Bible: Psalms 8, 12, 22, 23, 29, 31, 33, 42-43, 51, 80, 90, 100, 103, 104, 137, 146, 147 Coogan: Chapter 27, pp. 448-459 Thanksgiving Break No Class Enjoy! Thanksgiving Break No Class Enjoy! Wisdom Literature: The Book of Proverbs Bible: Proverbs 1-15, 25-31 Coogan: Chapter 27, pp. 459-470 Wisdom Literature: Job Bible: Job Coogan: Chapter 28 Wisdom Literature: Qoheleth (=Ecclesiastes) Bible: Qoheleth = Ecclesiastes Coogan: Chapter 28 Book Review Essay Due in Class The Festal Scrolls: Ruth and Esther Bible: Ruth and Esther Coogan: Chapter 14, pp. 228-232, Chapter 30, especially pp. 517-521 Daniel and Apocalyptic Thought Bible: Daniel Coogan: Chapter 30, especially pp. 527-535. The Canon of the Hebrew Bible Coogan: Chapter 1 Bandstra: After the Hebrew Bible (Blackboard) Examination III Final Examination at 12:30pm

Wed 11/24 Fri 11/26 Lecture 32: Mon 11/29

Lecture 33: Wed 12/1

Lecture 34: Fri 12/3

Lecture 35: Mon 12/6

Lecture 36: Wed 12/8

Lecture 37: Fri 12/10

Mon 12/13 Sat 12/18