Religious Studies (RELS) 380

Overview

This an advanced level course designed to introduce students to the historical critical methods used in the  secular, academic study of the Hebrew Bible.  Students will be introduced to the use of form, textual, source, and rhetorical criticism. They will also be introduced to alternative theories to the Documentary Hypothesis, and a detailed  evaluation of works by major Biblical scholars such as Wellhausen, Von Rad, Noth, Gunkel, Mowinckel, and Van Seters.

Outline

Unit 1: Approaches to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament

Unit 2: The Ancient Worlds of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament

Unit 3: The Torah

Unit 4: Nevi’im I: The Former Prophets (Joshua, Judges, 1-2 Samuel and 1-2 Kings)

Unit 5: Nevi’im II: The Latter Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and “The Twelve”)

Unit 6: The Writings I: Wisdom (Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes)

Unit 7: The Writings II: Songs of Israel (Psalms, Lamentations)

Unit 8: The Writings III: (Ruth, Esther, Song of Songs)

Unit 9: The Chronicler and the Deuteronomist

Unit 10: Apocalypticism and Heroism: Daniel and the Apocalyptic Visions of Early Judaism

Evaluation

To receive credit for RELS 380, you must complete both assignments as well as the final examination, and achieve a course composite grade of at least “D” (50 per cent). The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:

Tutor Marked Exercise 1	Tutor Marked Exercise 2	Final Examination	Total
20%	40%	40%	100%

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.