Wayland Baptist University, San AntonioRLGN 1301: Old Testament HistorySummer ‘02Robert Gibbs, InstructorCourse Outline:Unit One: The Torah, or Pentateuch: Weeks 1-4Unit Two: The Deuteronomic History: Weeks 5-7Unit Three: The Prophets: Weeks 8-9Unit Four: The Writings: Week 10-11Course Requirements: 1. Read all assignments in the Old Testament and the text, Encountering the Old Testament, by Arnold and Beyer2. Participate in class discussion with an open, collegial attitude3. Take all weekly exams at the beginning of each classCourse Grading: The Final Course Grade will be based on the average of your nine best weekly exam scores. Exam scores may be adjusted upward or downward by participation in class discussion. The participation score may raise or lower thefinal course grade by 10%, that is, by one full letter. The final scores will be distributed as A= 90%; B= 80%; C= 70%; D= 50%. Attendance is required, and grades will be adjusted for each absence according to the policy in the student handbook. Three absences will result in an “F” for the course. There are no “excused” absences; they all count against you no matter what caused them. Deductions will also be made for arriving late or leaving early.Course Objectives:Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:1. Compare and contrast various approaches, study tools and interpretive models of the Old Testament2. Describe key Old Testament historical events and their Robert Gibbs Page 1 1/14/2019significance for Judaism and Christianity3. Describe key Old Testament literary forms and their conventions4. Describe key Old Testament theological ideas and how they are communicated5. Evaluate your own values and beliefs and your Church’s values and beliefs with an Old Testament perspectiveRobert Gibbs Page 2 1/14/2019Course Methods:--The course will use discussion and exams to measure the completion of objectives.-- There are readings each week in both the Old Testament and Encountering the Old Testament by Arnold and Beyer--The exams will be short answer and short essay and will be given at the beginning of class each week. The exams are cumulative andmay include anything from the first week’s readings and class notes to the present week’s readings--The class will meet from 6:00pm until 9:40 each week, as scheduled, with one ten-minute break each evening.Course Schedule:Week 1. Introductions, Creation of the Universe: Genesis 1-11; Encountering ch. 4Week 2. Reading Assignment: Creation of the Family: Genesis 12-50; Encountering ch. 5Week 3. Reading Assignment: Creation of the Religious Community: Exodus 1-24, 32-34; Leviticus 8-18; Encountering chs. 6-7.Week 4. Reading Assignment: Wilderness and Holy War: Numbers 13-24; Deuteronomy 1-20; Joshua 1-11; Encountering chs. 8-9, 11.Week 5. Reading Assignment: Creation of the Colonies: Judges 1-16; Ruth (all); 1st book of Samuel 1-15: Encountering chs. 10, 12-13.Week 6. Reading Assignment: Creation of the Nation: 1st Samuel 16- 31; 2nd Samuel (all); Encountering chs. 13-14.Week 7. Reading Assignment: Judging the Nation: 1st Kings1-14; 16-22; 2nd Kings 4-10; Encountering chs. 15-16.Week 8. Reading Assignment: Interpreting Judgment: Isaiah 1-12; Amos (all); Hosea 1-3; Micah (all); Jonah (all); Encountering chs. 25, 32, 33 (where appropriate).Week 9. Reading Assignment: The Exile: Isaiah 40-55 and Encountering 26; and your choice of either Jeremiah 26-51 with Encountering 28 or Ezekiel 1-24, 37 with Encountering 29. Week 10. Reading Assignment: Restoration and Judaism: Esther; Ezra; Nehemiah; Daniel 1-6; Haggai; Zechariah (Encountering is optional) Week 11. Reading Assignment: Wisdom: Proverbs 16-29;Job 1-3, 38-42; Song of Songs; Ecclesiastes; (Encounteringis optional) Other Matters: Messages may be left for me at the Wayland office, 826-7595; my home phone, 691-0493; or my email, [email protected]. DO NOT call to report an absence unless you will be missing two or more weeks. If I am late to class please call my cell phone, 863-8785, to find out where I am. Please do not call my cell phone at any other time; it will not be on, and I will never return calls toit.Class discussion is the foundation of this course. It is based on several key requirements: respect for every member’s contribution, every member making a contribution, and every member coming to class prepared to participate. These requirements will be the basis of your participation