RELG E111: Biblical History and Literature
Professor: Dr. Randy L.
Akers
tel: (o): 771-2477 (h): 647-1317
email: rlakers@aol.com
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Fall & Spring semesters
generic syllabus
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The Nature of the Course
This course is designed to be both an introduction to the bible and an examination of various historical-critical problems and religious issues that are raised by biblical study. The orientation of the course is historical, as it studies the bible for an understanding of the historical development of the religion(s) to which its various writings give testimony. The literature itself will be surveyed in light of the background of the Ancient Near East with emphasis given to social-political history, biblical criticism, and archaeology.
Historical-critical study of the bible differs from doctrinal or confessional approaches with which some students may be familiar. Our objective is not to indoctrinate or espouse a particular confessional view of the materials. Rather, we use the generally accepted tools of literary and historical investigation to survey the content, form, practices, and history contained within the bible.
Required Texts
- Hauer and Young, An Introduction to the Bible, 5th ed. (Prentice-Hall, 2001)
- A modern version of the Bible (New Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised Standard Version, New English Bible, Jerusalem Bible, etc.)
Course Requirements and Attendance Policy
There will be three written exams (non-cumulative); and one assigned essay (see instructions at end of the syllabus). Students are expected to attend class regularly and thoughtfully enter into class discussions. More than three absences, whether excused or unexcused, may result in a grade penalty. The beginning of the Thursday class sessions will be devoted to discussion of questions and issues arising from class reading, lectures, and assigned materials.
Determination of Grade
The course grade will be based on the following percentages:
| First Exam | 25% |
| Second Exam | 25% |
| Final Exam | 25% |
| Essay | 15% |
| Class Participation | 10% |
Schedule and Assignments
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week 1
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An Overview of the Bible and Content of Biblical Studies
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please read H&Y, pp. 1-18 |
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week 2a |
The Ancient Near East (historical and geographical survey)
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read H&Y, pp. 18-34
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week 2b |
The Land of the Bible (a slide lecture on Israel)
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week 3a |
Methodology of Biblical Study and Introduction to the Torah
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read H&Y, pp. 35-59 |
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week 3b |
Creation and Primeval History
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read Genesis 1-11 and H&Y, pp. 60-70
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week 4a |
The Patriarchal Age
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read Genesis 12-50 and H&Y, pp. 72-81
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week 4b |
Israel in Egypt: Exodus, Covenant, Ten Commandments
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read Exodus 1-15, 19-24, 34; Deuteronomy 5 and H&Y, pp. 82-98
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week 5a |
The Settlement of Canaan (and Former Prophets)
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read Joshua 1-12, 24; Judges 1 and H&Y, pp. 99-109
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week 5b |
Rise of the Monarchy
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read Judges 2-9; I Samuel 8-15 and H&Y, pp. 109-117
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week 6a |
The Divided Kingdom
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read II Samuel 1-8; I Kings 3-11; II Kings 22-25 and H&Y, pp. 117-125
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week 6b
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Exam I
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week 7a |
An Introduction to the Prophets
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read H&Y, pp. 126-150
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week 7b
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Amos and Hosea
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read Amos, Hosea
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week 8a |
Isaiah, Jeremiah
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read Isaiah 1-11, 28-32, 40-55 Jeremiah 1-7, 20, 26-32
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week 8b
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Ketubim; Writings - Israel's Songs
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read H&Y, pp. 151-166
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week 9a |
Wisdom Literature
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read Job 1-42; and H&Y, pp. 167-183
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week 9b
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(No Class, Fall Break)
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week 10a |
Exile and Return
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read Daniel 1-12; and H&Y, pp. 184-198
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week 10b
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The Age of Hellenism: Intertestamental Jewish Life and Literature
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read H&Y, pp. 199-222
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week 11a |
Second Exam
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week 11b
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Search for the Historical Jesus
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read H&Y, pp. 223-243
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week 12a |
Nature of the Synoptic Gospels
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read Mark 1-16; Matthew 1-2; Luke 1-2 and H&Y, pp. 244-271
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week 12b
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Birth of Christianity
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read Acts 1-8; and H&Y, pp. 272-286
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week 13a |
Paul and Gentile Christianity
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read I Thessalonians and Galatians and H&Y, pp. 287-309
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week 13b
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Pauline Thought
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read I Corinthians and Romans 5-11
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week 14a |
Pastoral and Catholic Epistles
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read I and II Timothy, James and H&Y, pp. 310-325
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week 14b
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The Gospel of John and Johannine Literature
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read John and H&Y and I John
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week 15a |
The Church in Conflict
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read Revelation and H&Y pp. 325-344
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week 15b
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(No Class, Thanksgiving Recess)
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week 16a |
The Early Christian Movement (first two centuries of the common era) including what we know from the Archaeology of the Holy Land
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(Essay Due)
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week 16b
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Class discussion of essays, Wrap Up and Course Evaluation
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week 17a
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Reading Day
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week 17b
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(Thursday, 5:30 pm) Final Exam
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Essay Instructions
You shall be assigned one essay and asked to address the topic in approximately 2-3 typewritten pages. The instructor will provide several topics from which to choose.
The essay should present your own thoughtful reflection based on reading of the bible, the text, class notes, and other outside reading. It will be helpful to study the "contemporary world" questions found at the end of each chapter of the Hauer and Young textbook.
The intent of the essays is to describe a problem, issue, or topic; analyze and present some different views or perspectives; and to summarize including your own point of view.
The following commentaries are recommended for your research:
The Anchor Bible (series of volumes on each biblical book)
The Cambridge Bible Commentary (series of volumes on each biblical book)
Harper's New Testament Commentaries (series on each NT book)
Hermenia (series of volumes, OT and NT)
Interpretation (series of volumes, OT and NT)
The Interpreter's Bible (12 volumes, OT and NT)
The Interpreter's One-Volume Commentary on the Bible
The Jerome Biblical Commentary (one volume)
The Old Testament Library (series of volumes)
Peake's Commentary on the Bible (one volume)
The Torah: A Modern Commentary (one volume)
A good bibliography of other resource materials is found at the end of the Hauer and Young text, including several web pages.
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