Introducing the Hebrew Bible (BA8701W)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This unit aims to introduce students to the diversity of Old Testament traditions; exploring the relationships between theological themes in different historical contexts; and developing a familiarity with exegetical tools and methods, using inductive learning.

Unit code: BA8701W

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational

Unit discipline: Old Testament

Proposing College: Whitley College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Describe the historical and social worlds of the Old Testament / Hebrew Bible
2.

Effectively use the tools for biblical interpretation (dictionaries, commentaries, journals, monographs and primary sources)
3.

Develop and an awareness of, and appreciation for, the history of Hebrew Bible research and a variety of current interpretive approaches

4.

Demonstrate theological and hermeneutical applications of the Hebrew Bible within our current context
5.

Undertake postgraduate-level research into the Hebrew Bible, and demonstrate this by writing an exegetical paper using appropriate methods and skills

Pedagogy

Lectures, activities, online tutorial discussion

Indicative Bibliography

  • Arnold, B., Introduction to the Old Testament. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2014.
  • Bach, A. (ed.). Women in the Hebrew Bible: A Reader. New York: Routledge, 1999.
  • Birch, B. (et al), A Theological Introduction to the Old Testament. Nashville: Abingdon, 1999.
  • Carr, D.M., An Introduction to the Old Testament: Sacred Texts and Imperial Contexts of the Hebrew Bible. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.
  • Collins, J.J., Introduction to the Hebrew Bible. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2004.
  • David, E.F., Opening Israel’s Scriptures. New York: Oxford University Press, 2019.
  • Goldingay, J. An Introduction to the Old Testament. Downer’s Grove: IVP, 2015.
  • Gorman, M.J., Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers. Peabody: Hendrickson, rev. edn, 2009.
  • Morrow, W.S., An Introduction to Biblical Law. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2017.
  • Smith-Christopher, D., The Old Testament: Our Call to Faith & Justice. Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press, 2005.
  • Stuart, D., Old Testament Exegesis: A Handbook for Students and Pastors. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 4th edn 2009.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Critical Review

1,000 words of online participation, critically responding to set readings

 1000 10.0
Exegesis

3000 word exegesis

 3000 45.0
Essay

3000 word essay

3000 45.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 30 Sep, 2019

Unit record last updated: 2021-06-07 08:43:49 +1000