The Psalms and Wisdom Literature (BA2400C)

Undergraduate, 18.0 points

Content

The first section of this unit will consist of an examination of the book of Psalms as a whole and then individual representative Psalms. The second section will consist of an examination of selected wisdom texts from the Old Testament. Both sections will demonstrate the application of major methodologies associated with the exposition of this literature.

Unit code: BA2400C

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 2

Unit discipline: Old Testament

Proposing College: Catholic Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate familiarity with the language and approaches of recognised commentaries on poetic and wisdom sections of the Old Testament.
2.

Identify and describe the major literary genres and their features in the texts under study.
3.

Apply a range of standard biblical methodologies to selected biblical texts.
4.

Undertake basic research on the texts under discussion.
5.

Propose a credible interpretation of a poetic or wisdom text of the Old Testament.
6.

Develop strategies for the public presentation of the texts under discussion.

Unit sequence

BS1001C and BS1002C or equivalent

Pedagogy

Each three hours consists of two hours of interactive lectures and one hour of report.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Allen, Leslie C. Psalms 101–150. Rev. ed. Word Biblical Commentary 21. Waco: Word Books, 2002.
  • Clifford, Richard J. Proverbs: A Commentary. The Old Testament Library. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1999.
  • Collins, John J. Jewish Wisdom in the Hellenistic Age. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1997.
  • Craigie, Peter C. Psalms 1–50. Word Biblical Commentary 19. Waco: Word Books, 1983.
  • Goldingay, John. Psalms. Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms. 3 vols. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2006.
  • Grabbe, Lester L. Wisdom of Solomon. Guides to Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic, 1997.
  • Kraus, Hans-Joachim. Psalms: A Commentary. Translated by Hilton C. Oswald. 2 vols. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1988–1989.
  • Murphy, Roland E. The Tree of Life: An Exploration of Biblical Wisdom Literature. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002.
  • Perdue, Leo G. The Sword and the Stylus: An Introduction to Wisdom in the Age of Empires. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008.
  • Tate, Marvin E. Psalms 51–100. Word Biblical Commentary 20. Waco: Word Books, 1990.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Report

2,500 word report

 2500 35.0
Report

2 x 500-word report

 1000 35.0
Written Examination

1-hour written examination

 1000 30.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 7 Aug, 2018

Unit record last updated: 2019-02-08 15:34:41 +1100