Introduction to the Old Testament

Course Description:

This survey course will provide a general introduction to the development, structure, and content of the Old Testament/Hebrew Scriptures, texts held sacred by both Christians and Jews. Using modern methods of biblical scholarship, students will study the biblical texts from historical, cultural, literary, and theological perspectives. Students will have an opportunity to concentrate on selected narratives of their own choosing from the books of the Law (Torah), the Prophets (Nevi'im), and the Writings (Ketuvim). Deuterocanonical texts unique to the Catholic canon will also be included.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Gain a basic understanding of the development, structure, and content of the Hebrew Scriptures.

2. Acquire a working knowledge of methods of biblical scholarship.

3. Achieve the necessary tools to read, analyze, and interpret biblical narratives and themes so that the student can come to a reasoned, personal position on major questions and issues, both independent of and in relationship to the student's own faith.

4. Understand the narratives related to calling, covenant, and prophetic events that are important to understanding the Jewish faith tradition.

Assignments: Discussion

Active and substantive participation is essential throughout this course. You will be examining writings held sacred by billions of people, as well as standard research texts on the interpretation of these scriptures. These ideas will also be in dialogue with your own long-held beliefs, whatever those might be.

It is absolutely critical that we discuss all of this to the greatest extent possible. Therefore, you must contribute substantive comments online within every module so that we can all learn together from your own insights and research.

Discussions are a major part of this class. In fact, they are vital to it. The discussions are a weekly research project that is designed to take the place of a research paper. Because of this, the standards for discussion are much stricter than you may have experienced in other classes. Below is a link to the detailed guidelines. First, here are the general guidelines:

General Guidelines

1. The primary post (due by end of day Thursday of each week) must be a minimum of 300 words and a maximum of 500 words.

a. The count does not count your title or Works Cited.

b. This is to be written in a word processor and copy/pasted into the into the text box (you will see a clipboard icon on the first row with a "w" on it. Click this and a box will open.

2. The secondary post (due by end of day Sunday of each week) must be between 150-200 words.

a. The secondary post is your response to two of your classmates.

3. When there is more than one question from which to choose, your secondary response must be to someone who had posted a different primary question than your original (primary) post. This provides for a wider scope of research.

4. These short, weekly research projects demonstrate your research, writing, and knowledge, as well as prepare you for your final paper. Discussions provide an excellent opportunity for assessment and interaction with your fellow learners. The interaction is based on your reading, research, and interaction with the material.

Requirements -

Discussion Boards require reading (text) and outside (of the text) research. You may be accustomed to just giving opinions. While I respect and anticipate your opinion, I want you to find scholarly support for your opinion.

Post the primary response to one (if multiple questions are provided) discussion question posted by the instructor.

Post a minimum of one substantive reply to at least two other learners per module.

When there is more than one question from which to choose, your secondary response must be to a classmate who has posted a different primary question than your original (primary) post.

Your instructor will post a response to different students each module, responding to all by the end of the course. When your instructor responds to your post, you must respond back. This will count as one of your two posts.

Participate actively in the weekly discussions. Your initial postings to discussion questions are expected to be substantive in nature and to reference the assigned readings and other theoretical, empirical, or professional literature as appropriate.

Regarding your responses to your classmates, "I agree" or "I really don't have anything to add" are not acceptable responses. The following questions may be used as guidance for a good response:

• Do you agree/disagree? Why?
• What new insight(s) can you add to their point?
• Are there external materials (beyond the reading) that will contribute insight?

Attachment:- Assignment File.rar