This course examines the Old Testament prophets in light of the general phenomenon of prophecy in Israel and the ancient Near East. The primary objective of the course is to understand the life and message of each prophet in relation to the events, ideas, traditions, problems, etc. of his own time. We shall study the prophets in chronological sequence, attempting to see the relationship between the historical setting and the prophetic message. Considerable attention will be given to the historical situation and religious social conditions to which the prophets addressed their messages. When more than one prophet speaks to the same events, as occasionally happens, we will have occasion to compare their messages and to ponder the reasons for the variations in what they claim to be 'the word of the Lord'.

The course will also trace the compositional history of some of the prophetic books, making distinctions between the words of the prophets themselves and the additions and interpretations of later compilers and editors. This dimension of our study has important implications for understanding the use and adaptation of the prophetic traditions by later writers and communities. These considerations provide a broad perspective in which to discuss the question of prophetic inspiration, both with respect to the prophets and the prophetic books.

Finally, the impact of the prophets on later times and their legacy for our own time will be considered.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS

• A good study Bible; The HarperCollins Study Bible (NRSV; HarperCollins, 1993) is available in the bookstore
• Abraham J. Heschel, The Prophets (Perennial Classics; New York: HarperCollins, 2001)

• Joseph Blenkinsopp, A History of Prophecy in Israel (Revised Edition; Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1996)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

RELG 321:
Each student will take two essay exams (mid-term and final) and write a 10-page term paper (due first week Dec.). The paper may be either of the following:

• A RESEARCH PAPER on one of the prophets, focusing on a particular problem of interpretation; footnotes and bibliography are required.
• A CONSTRUCTIVE ESSAY on "the Legacy of the Prophets." Some research will undoubtedly be helpful, but this is to be a statement of your own view of the prophetic legacy.

Students are expected to attend class regularly and to participate thoughtfully in classroom discussions. More than four absences may result in a penalty. Students are also expected to participate in the discussion board forums on the course web site. At least one posting for each topic of discussion is recommended.

RELG 592P:
Each student will fulfill the requirements for 321 with the following additions:

The exams will have additional questions based on the readings in Blenkinsopp; the term paper must be a research paper of approximately 20 pages; attendance at several additional discussion sessions; and monitoring of web site discussions.

DETERMINATION OF GRADE

ATTENDANCE POLICY
Attendance will be taken. More than 4 unexcused absences may result in a grade penalty.

SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS

(In addition to the readings listed below, students will be expected to read each prophetic book in its entirety.) RELG 592P students will have additional readings from Blenkinsopp. Those readings will be keyed to the schedule of extra sessions that is established

STANDARD REFERENCE WORKS

• The Anchor Bible Dictionary
• Encyclopedia Judaica
• Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible
• Harper's Bible Dictionary
• The New Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible
• International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
• Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament

RECOMMENDED COMMENTARIES

• Anchor Bible (series of volumes)
• The Cambridge Bible Commentary (series of volumes)
• The Interpreter's Bible (series of volumes)
• The New Interpreter's Bible (series of volumes)
• Harper's Bible Commentary (one volume)
• Hermenia (series of volumes)
• The Jerome Biblical Commentary (one volume)
• The Old Testament Library (series of volumes)
• The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (series of volumes)