Instructor: Dr. K. I. Parker Office/Tel: AA 5031 / 864-8594

E-mail: kparker@mun.ca Office Hours: M/T/R, 12:00-1:00

Home Page: http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~kparker/

Religious Studies 2050 is an introduction to the literature comprising the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible. This literature will be studied in light of both the history of Israel and the development of Israelite religion. A number of scholarly approaches to the Bible will also be considered.

All students must own and bring to every class a good modern translation of the Bible (the [New] Revised Standard Version, the New English Bible, or the Jerusalem Bible). The New Revised Standard Version is recommended and will be used in course lectures. Also required is Kim Ian Parker’s An Introduction to the Old Testament / Hebrew Bible (Linus Books, 2014). This book is referred to in the course outline below, and it is available at the Bookstore.

There will be no major research paper in this course. Instead, students will be required to write two in-class tests (October 12, and November 16), journal assignments, and a final examination. The final will cover the assigned readings for the entire semester. The two tests are worth 25% each (50% of the final grade), the journals 10%, and the final exam is worth 40%.

Missed Testing and Late Policies (Calendar entry 6.7.5)

Missed tests with appropriate documentation, will be prorated.

Plagiarism (Calendar entry 6.12.4)

Plagiarism will receive a grade of zero

Student Accommodation

The Department is committed to facilitating and promoting an accessible, inclusive, and mutually respectful learning environment. Students requiring special accommodation are asked to communicate firstly with the Glenn Roy Blundon Centre (www.mun.ca/blundon) at the earliest opportunity. University policies and procedures pertaining to accommodations for students with disabilities can be found at www.mun.ca/policy/site/policy.php?id=239.

The following is the course outline. Please note that it is subject to change. Week of:

Sept. 04 Introduction

Sept. 11 Academic Approaches to the Hebrew Bible

Readings: Parker, Introduction, Chapter 1

Sept. 18 Academic Approaches to the Hebrew Bible continued

Readings: Parker, Chapter 2

Sept. 25 Israelite Origins: Genesis 1-11

Readings: Genesis 1-11; Parker, Chapter 3

Oct. 02 Israelite Origins: Genesis 12-50

Readings: Genesis 12-22, 28, 32, 37, 50; Parker, Chapter 4

Oct. 09 Thanksgiving break (test #1, October 12)

Oct. 16 The Exodus and the Wilderness

Readings: Exodus 1-4, 12-14, 19, 24, 32-34; Numbers 20; Parker, Chapter 5

Oct. 23 The Theological-Political Problem

Readings: Joshua 7, 24; Judges 1-2, 9, 17-21; I Samuel 7-12; Parker, Chapter 6

Oct. 30 The United Monarchy: Saul, David, and Solomon

Readings: I Samuel 28; II Samuel 6, 7, 11; I Kings 3, 11; Parker, Chapter 7

Nov. 06 The Divided Monarchy: Israel (922-722)

Readings: I Kings 18-21; Amos 5, 7; Hosea 1-3; Parker, Chapter 8

Nov. 13 The Divided Monarchy: Judah (922-687) (test #2, November 16)

Readings: Isaiah 6-11, 36-39; Parker, Chapter 9

Nov. 20 The Divided Monarchy: Judah (687-587)

Readings: II Kings 22-23; Jeremiah 1-3, 7, 8, 26-31; Parker, Chapter 10

Nov. 27 The Exilic Period

Readings: Isaiah 40, 41, 53; Ezekiel 1-4; 159-171; Parker, Chapter 11