Wayland Baptist University – San Antonio

Religion 1301 – Old Testament History

Summer 2009 Class Syllabus

Dr. Steven Spivey, Instructor

sspivey@ost.edu

 

 

Course Description: A survey of the First Testament/Hebrew Bible, with special attention to the institutions, religion, and national life of the Hebrew people.

 

Outcomes:  By the end of the course, the attentive student should be able to:

1.      Understand the basic organization of the Hebrew scriptures

2.      Trace the primary outline of Israel’s history

3.      Identify and describe the major covenants established between God and Israel

4.      Identify the key religious and political developments presented in the texts

5.      Recognize and begin to comprehend the major ideas of the Hebrew prophets and sages as expressed in the prophetic writings and wisdom literature of the Hebrew scriptures

 

Textbook: The Learning Bible (NIV) – American Bible Society (2003)

 

Course Requirements:

 

  1. Attendance: Wayland’s attendance policy will be followed.  Students who miss more than 25% of scheduled class sessions automatically fail the course.  At Wayland San Antonio, this means that three absences result in a failing grade.  The policy does not distinguish between causes for a student’s absence.  Experience shows that students cannot miss this class often and expect to comprehend the material or perform well on exams.  Attendance and participation are a part of the educational commitment made when a student enrolls.
  2. This syllabus contains a course schedule with required reading assignments.  These readings are to be completed prior to class sessions, so that a student may have a better comprehension of the materials presented by the instructor.
  3. Four examinations will be given during the course, with each exam comprising 25% of the student’s grade.  Questions will be objective in nature, and based upon readings, handouts, and class presentations.  The first three exams will be non-comprehensive, with the fourth exam being a comprehensive final.  The university grade scale will be used.  Review materials will be available by e-mail request approximately five days before the exam date.  Make-up exams are given at the discretion of the instructor, and are affected by the reason for the student’s absence.  Make-up exams will be administered at the instructor’s office, located at 285 Oblate Dr.  This is between San Pedro and Blanco, about a mile south of North Star Mall.
  4. Extra Credit Option: A student may prepare an essay of 5-7 pages in response to one of the questions/topics listed below.  The grade will be based on these elements: organization, logical argumentation, clarity, supporting evidence, and originality of thought.  Any supporting evidence cited must be documented, with proper credit given.  The grade received for this essay will replace the student’s lowest exam grade.  The due date for this exam is noted in the course schedule, and late papers will not be accepted for any reason, no matter how regrettable the excuse.  A student is limited to one extra credit essay per course.  Essays may be written on one of the following:
    1. Analyze the different OT passages that describe Pharaoh’s heart being “hardened”.
    2. Why did Israel wage a “holy war” when entering Canaan?
    3. Did the history of the southern kingdom confirm or invalidate the Davidic Covenant?
    4. Explain the Jewish attitude toward outsiders at the close of the Old Testament period in light of God’s covenant with Abraham.
    5. Were Jeremiah’s complaints to God justified?

With all these essays I will expect the student to explain why their answer or position is correct.

  1. The student’s grade for the course will be the average of the four exam scores, or the average derived from the three highest test scores and the extra credit essay.  The WBU grade scale will be used, which is:

100 – 90 = A

  89 – 80 = B

  79 – 70 = C

  69 – 60 = D

                     Below 60 = F

  1. Miscellaneous: Students in survey courses always demonstrate a wide range of knowledge and experiences.  Accordingly, the student is encouraged to ask questions or for clarification whenever necessary.  If needed, the student is permitted to tape lectures for private use only.  Students should consider establishing relationships with each other so that review groups may be formed or so that coverage may be provided for material missed due to absences.  Do not hesitate to e-mail the instructor as needed.
  2. It is university policy that no otherwise qualified disabled person be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity in the University.  Students should inform the instructor of existing disabilities the first class meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

Major Units of Study

 

I.                     Old Testament Backgrounds and the “Primeval History”

II.                   The Stories of Israel’s Ancestors

III.                  The Exodus and the Covenant at Sinai

IV.               The Conquest of Palestine and the Tribal League

V.                 The United Monarchy

VI.               The Divided Monarchy

VII.              Exile and Restoration

VIII.            The Writings

 

 

Course Schedule and Reading Assignments

 

May 25/29      Old Testament Background and the Primeval History

                        For next class, read Genesis 1-18, 21-33, 37-50 and Exodus 1-17

                        Introductory Materials (pp. 9-36), The Ancient World: Peoples,

                        Powers and Politics (pp. 919-923), Abraham (p. 2254), Ancient

                        Flood Story (p. 49), Birthright (p. 80), Jacob’s Children (p. 99),

                        Covenant (p. 386), LORD (p. 140), Pharaoh (pp. 110-111),

                        Disasters (p. 151)

 

Jun 1/5            From Abraham to Mt. Sinai

                        For next week, read Exodus 19-20, 32-34 and Leviticus 1-7, 16, 23

                        Ark of the Covenant (p. 513), Tabernacle (p. 2346), Sacrifices and

                        Offerings (p. 219), People of the Law: The Religion of Israel

                        (pp. 939-947)

 

Jun 8/12         EXAMINATION #1 (first hour)

                        The Sinai Covenant

                        For next week, read Numbers 9-14, 20-21, 32-33, Joshua 1-8,

                        22-24, and Judges 1-4, Israel on the March (p. 288), Holy War

                        (p. 306), Canaanite Gods and Goddesses (p. 469), From Joshua

                        to the Exile (pp. 924-930)

 

Jun 15/19       From Sinai to the Tribal League

                        For the next class, read 1st Samuel 1-8, 13-18, 24-28, 31 and

                     2nd Samuel 2-7, 9-19, Kingship in Israel (p. 650)

 

Jun 22/26       The Move to Monarchy

                        For next week, read 1st Kings 1-22 and 2nd Kings 9-10, 15-17,

                        Assyria (p. 711)

 

 

 

 

Jun 29/Jul 3    EXAMINATION #2 (first hour)

                        Solomon and the Divided Monarchy

                        For next week, read Amos 1-9, Hosea 1-14, Isaiah 1-11, and

                     Jeremiah 1-9, Day of the LORD (p. 1727) Prophets and Prophecy

                        (pp. 935-938)  Handout covering next week’s material will be

                        distributed.

 

Jul 6/10           Class Will not Meet

                        For next week, read 2nd Kings 11-12, 14, 16, 18-24; Habakkuk 1-3,

                        Malachi 1-4, Nahum 1-3, Joel 1-3, Zephaniah 1-3, and Obadiah 1,

                        Babylon (pp. 1362-1363), Hezekiah (p. 1293), Nebuchadnezzar

                        (p. 1469)

 

Jul 13/17        Minor Prophets and the History of the South

                        For next week, read Isaiah 40-66, Ezekiel 1-5, 18, 37; Haggai 1-2,

                        Nehemiah 1-13, Ezra 1-10, Persia (p. 859), Servant Songs in Isaiah

                        (p. 1398), Exile (p. 1541), After the Exile (pp. 931-934)

 

Jul 20/24        EXAMINATION #3 (first hour)

                        The Exile and Homecoming

                        For next week, read Job 1-2, 38-42; Psalm 1, 51, 78, 145;

                        Proverbs 1-9, Ecclesiastes 1-12, Daniel 1-7, Esther 1-10, Ruth 1-4

                        Jonah 1-4, Apocalyptic Writings (p. 1656)

 

Jul 27/31        The Writings

                        EXTRA CREDIT ESSAYS ARE DUE THIS SESSION

 

Aug 3/7           EXAMINATION #4