REL 337W: Biblical Topics - Exodus, Fall 2001.
SYLLABUS.
RJDKnauth
Class time: T/Th 3:00-4:50 pm, D-302.
Office hours MWF 2:30-4:00 pm, D-320.
Telephone: (570) 321-4298 (xGAYT); home: (570) 326-3822 (h). Email: knauth@lycoming.edu
Topic:
Exodus! An
upper-level writing intensive seminar.
An in-depth study of the book of Exodus along
with other related biblical and ancient Near Eastern
texts, employing a variety of academic methodologies which can then be applied
to numerous other
biblical texts. Exodus is an extremely rich book, including a wide variety
of genres and themes which
are pivotal for the national identity of Israel. Starting with the book of
Exodus, we can come to a
much deeper understanding of the Old Testament as a whole.
As an upper-level seminar, the primary purpose of this course is for you to develop deeper thinking with regard to a major biblical issue, and to see the study of the Bible as an ongoing process in which our answers often change over time, just as the text’s own answers to life-problems have changed over time.
As a “writing-intensive” course, it will seek to help you develop your writing skills. Issues of writing will regularly be taken up in class, and a variety of written assignments are designed to stress various aspects of the writing process.
Texts
(choose one): Brevard Childs, The
Book of Exodus
Nahum Sarna, Exodus
(JPS Torah Commentary)
The
use of a complete Bible (any version) will be required in class.
Other
useful reference books which you may find in the library (reference or reserve):
Who Wrote
the Bible?, Richard Friedman
Understanding the Old Testament, Anderson
Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture, Childs
Old
Testament Survey, Hill & Walton
Old
Testament Parallels, Matthews & Benjamin (OTP in syllabus, on
reserve)
Ancient
Near Eastern Texts, Pritchard
Canaanite
Myth and Hebrew Epic, Frank Moore Cross (CMHE)
From Epic
to Canon, Frank Moore Cross (E-C)
The Anchor Bible Dictionary
Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible
These will point the reader to further useful bibliography.
For your research, plan also to use the ATLA Religion Index:
ATLAReligion through FirstSearch http://www.lycoming.edu/library/firstsearch/index.htm
Course
Requirements:
1.
Attendance and
informed participation (readings having been completed) at all class sessions
will be expected, worth 20% of the final grade.
Each set of 2 absences (or partial absences) lowers your final grade by 1%.
2. There will be in-class exercises, 7 short assignments and 2 paper proposals, worth 20% of the final grade. Assignments should be approx. 3 pgs each, typed, due in class on Thursdays, and will be the basis for class discussion on that day. Late assignments will be accepted, but penalized, as preparedness will be crucial to our discussion time.
3. There will be two take-home exams (each worth 10% of the final grade). They will be open-book, limited-time (2 hours) essay exams (thematic, issue-oriented), taken on the honor system. Review sheets will be handed out in advance. Exams should be typed and handed in ON TIME as instructed in the syllabus.
4.
Two short (6 pg)
Formal Papers will be written (each worth 15% of the final grade).
The first will be an Exegesis Essay (closely analyzing a biblical text
and then giving a contemporary or personal application), the second will be a
biblical research paper, with annotated bibliography.
The second paper will then be revised and expanded (8
pgs max) on the basis of peer reviews, and finally presented in class (this Revision and oral presentation, plus
peer reviews, will be worth an additional 10% of the final grade).
Proposals for these papers will be submitted in advance (see appended
form); peer reviews and a visit to the writing center are required.
Schedule of Classes:
Week
1: Introduction
Read Exod 1:1-2:10, Childs Intro
and Sections I-II (pp. 1-26), Sarna pp. 3-10, OTP p. 85.
T (Aug. 28)- Introduction.
Exodus as THE formative Israelite experience.
Th (Aug. 30)- Oppression, remembering, Genesis links. ANE Parallels.
Abandonment? Irony.
Methodology: Introduction to the
"Historical Critical Method," and the usefulness of historical
background and comparative study of ancient Near Eastern literature. What is Biblical Criticism?
Writing: Self-assessment survey of
writing skills; In-class exercise 1 (writing
sample, switch and edit; compile). Create awareness of how point of view,
biases, purposes can affect a text. All writing is selective, written with
a purpose. The Bible as a composite text: multiple authorship, editing
process, inclusion of older documents, ANE imagery (different implications,
literary uses).
Week
2: Moses
Read Exod 2:11-7:7, Childs III-VI
(pp. 27-120), Sarna pp. 11-37.
T (Sept. 4)- Call of Moses,
charismatic leadership: compare Judges, David.
Th (Sept. 6)- Who was Moses?
Methodology: the usefulness of standard
literary analysis in terms of plot structure, character development.
Writing: Character Development. Moses as
example - different ways of characterizing.
Week
3: Plagues
Read Exod 7:8-11:10, Childs VII
(pp. 121-177), Sarna pp. 37-53.
T (Sept. 11)- Dealing with
miracles: explain as natural phenomena or religious polemic?
Th (Sept. 13)- Theological intensions of the text. Adventurous bedtime
stories?
Methodology: What is literary/source
criticism? The Documentary Hypothesis and JEPD. See Friedman.
Writing: Choosing a focus and formulating a
good thesis ("topic" is different from "thesis"!).
In-class exercise 2 (small groups): getting from topic to
thesis. Discuss as a class: what makes a good thesis?
Writing: Application follows analysis - must develop
understanding first before seeking to apply.
Writing Asst. 2: Compose an outline for a three-point
sermon on some aspect of the Plagues.
**Paper Proposal for 1st formal "Exegesis" Paper,
with application, due Friday!
Week
4: Exodus
Read Exod 12:1-15:21, Psalm 77-78,
105; Childs
VIII-X (pp. 178-253), Sarna pp. 53-83.
T (Sept. 18)- Passover and
the Consecration of the First Born. The Exodus theme.
Th (Sept. 20)- Distinguishing sources: where "History"? ANE
imagery: battling Sea Dragons
Methodology: Form Criticism and the importance
of Genre. Sources again, w/ theological flavor.
Writing: Create awareness of how genre/style/structure
can affect content, effectiveness. Writing as
"art."
Compare prose and poetry versions of the plagues, crossing
the Red Sea. Discuss poetic structure.
Writing Asst. 3: Re-write essential "Exodus" story
as a brief acrostic and/or chiastic poem with parallelism.
Reflect on how the mode of expression
influences the content and message of the story.
Week
5: Wilderness Wanderings
Read Exod 15:22-18:27; Num
10:29-14:45, Num 16-17, 20, 25; Psalm 78, 106.
Read Childs
XI-XV (pp. 254-336), Sarna pp. 83-102, Cross CMHE ch. 8 (on reserve).
T (Sept. 25)- Function of
complaining stories, links with Numbers.
Th (Sept. 27)- Moses/Aaron: rival priestly houses? Jethro/Reuel, Sinai/Horeb. Midianite Hypothesis.
Methodology: Source Criticism again w/
attention to political motive (see Cross). What is Redaction Crit?
Writing: Organization. Using outlines
and subheadings. Creating coherent paragraphs. **Review handout.
**1st Formal "Exegesis" Paper due
Friday - 6 pgs, on topic of choice, closely analyzing a biblical
text.
Week
6: Review and Test
Review Readings: Exod 1-18, Childs
I-XV, Sarna 1-102 plus Excurses.
T (Oct. 2)-
Review for Test. Come with
questions! *Hand out take-home
exams.*
Th (Oct. 4)- Library Session: tour
of resources, useful tools, research strategies
(ABD, Concordances, key words - getting back to original languages).
*Take-home
Exams due in class* on Exod. 1-18.
Week
7: Sinai
Read Exod 19:1-25, 20:18-22,
24:1-18; compare Exod 33:18-34:7, Deut 5:4-5, 22-31.
Read Childs XVI (pp. 337-384), XIX (pp. 497-511); Sarna pp. 102-107, 115, 150-155.
T (Oct. 9)- Sacred mountain
as "Axis Mundi" - connecting place of heaven and earth.
Th (Oct. 11)- Theophany - Who/what is God? Storms,
Volcanoes and Seeing God.
*1st Test returned, discuss.*
Methodology: What is "Tradition
Criticism" and how might it help with our theophany dilemma?
Writing: Doing effective Research (trip to
library, develop bibliography together on "Golden Calf").
Shorter and more focused is
better. Following the bibliography trail - the value of refereed journals.
Pitfalls of internet research (2
recent examples re Sabbath and Idolatry). Determining viewpoint and
evaluating sources for reliability
and relevance. Intro to ATLA Religion Index and Anchor Bible Dict.
Writing Asst. 4: Write up an "annotated
bibliography" (for the Golden Calf or a topic of your choice).
Week
8: Ten Commandments
Read Exod 20:1-17; compare Deut
5:1-22, Exod 34: 10-28, Lev 19.
Read Childs XVII
(pp. 385-439), Sarna pp. 107-115.
T (Oct. 16)- What is the
Law? Types and origins. Reflections on the nature of God.
Th (Oct. 18)- The "Ten Words" - traditional unit, variant
versions. What do they tell us?
Methodology: What is "Form
Criticism" and how might it be reflected in the 10 Commandments?
Writing: Developing a Revision / Editing
Process (or The End of the "Single Draft Paper" Myth):
A good professional photographer throws out 80-90% of his
pictures, keeping only the best;
A good writer likewise throws out 80-90% of his words,
keeping only the best. Writing is an art!
In-class writing exercise 3 on revision (revising
Childs). Choose his most awkward paragraph for revision.
**Paper proposal for 2nd Formal "Research" Paper
due Friday, including Bibliography!
Week
9: Covenant Code
Read Exod 20:22-23:33, Childs
XVIII (pp. 440-496), Sarna pp. 115-150, OTP pp. 97-123.
T (Oct. 23)- Historical
precedents: Hammurabi, etc.; continuity/distinctiveness.
Th (Oct. 25)- A hunger for justice.
Methodology: What is literary/rhetorical
criticism? How is it helpful in analyzing the law?
Writing: Effective use of Evidence to
make a good argument: Hammurabi / Covenant Code connections.
Writing Asst. 5: Separate out a coherent set of laws
and put it in logical outline form (or analyze as poetry).
Week
10: The Tabernacle
Read Exod 25:1-31:18, Childs XX
(pp. 512-552), Sarna pp. 155-202.
Also read Cross E-C ch. 5, Friedman ch. 10 and "Tabernacle"
in ABD.
T (Oct. 30)-
Symbol of a holy God.
Th (Nov. 1)- Debate:
Resolved - the Tabernacle was real/symbolic/projectional.
Methodology: What is "Textual
Criticism" and how did the Dead Sea Scrolls revolutionize it?
Writing: Debate format and counter-argument
(assignment and prepared class debate re tabernacle).
Writing Asst. 6: choose a side of the tabernacle debate.
Compile your best evidence and counter-arguments.
Week
11: The Golden Calf
Read Exod 32:1-33:23; compare Num
8:13-19, Num 16-17, 20, 1Kings 12.
Read Childs
XXI-XXII (pp. 553-600), Sarna pp. 202-215.
T (Nov.
6)- Idolatry? Alternative throne iconography?
Th (Nov. 8)- Golden Calf Debate.
Methodology: How can archaeological
finds elucidate biblical narrative?
Writing: Creating coherence and logical
flow. Revise, Revise and Revise again! Word choice and mood.
Writing Asst. 7: Debate the purpose of the
"Golden Calf" story in relation to the 2nd Commandment and its depiction of Aaron. Does the story intend Aaron to be a hero or a
villain? Make an argument using specific evidence from the text. Use
debate format. Be prepared to debate this issue in class on Thursday.
Week
12: Theophany, Covenant Renewal, Blessing
and Dedication
Read Exod 34:1-40:38; compare
1Kings 19.
Read Childs
XXIII-XXIV (pp. 601-638), Sarna pp. 215-237.
T (Nov. 13)- New tablets of
covenant, covenant renewal. Blessing and Dedication.
Th (Nov. 15)- Discuss process of paper revision and peer review with Jane
Keller of ARC.
For exercise purposes, bring a copy of your
1st paper or draft of your 2nd on which to practice peer review.
Methodology: Canonical Criticism and the value of
reading the text as it stands.
Writing: Critical Analysis / Evaluation and the value of Peer
Review.
Guidelines: thesis, evidence,
argument. Clear? Organized? Convincing?
Making Peer Review valuable (and not
just a pat on the back). Presentation by Jane Keller.
Week
13: Paper revisions, Thanksgiving Break
T (Nov. 20)- Read and
critique peer papers in class. Write peer reviews, give to author.
*Bring 7 copies of Research Paper to class for distribution and peer
review! Leave one in instructor's box.**
Th (Nov. 22)- *Thanksgiving* No Class.
Prepare your oral presentation!
Week
14: **Student Oral Presentations and Discussion.**
T (Nov. 27)- 1.
2.
3.
Th (Nov. 29)- 4.
5.
6.
*Exam Review Sheets
handed out.*
**Final Research Paper
Revisions due Friday midnight, 8 pgs max.**
Week
15: Major Themes, Review for
Exam on Exod 19-40, Childs XVI-XXIV, Sarna 102-237.
T (Dec.
4)- Discuss major themes of book, review for exam. Hand out exam.
Th (Dec. 6)- Self-assessment
survey and writing sample; course evaluation.
**Take-home
exam due in class on Exod 19-40.**
**For
each student presentation, all students must turn in a written review or
self-critique (typed - one copy to the author of the paper, and one copy to the
instructor), and be prepared to discuss the paper in class at the time of the
oral presentation. These reviews
will be counted as part of the grade for the oral presentations.
**Formal Papers
and Revisions will be due on Friday at midnight in the mailbox outside the
instructor's office door (D-320). Since
any papers delivered after 5:00 pm will not be received until the following
Monday morning, any papers found in the box on the Monday morning will be
considered to be on time. Please do
not ask for last-minute short extensions because of printing problems and the
like. Just get your papers in the
box by first thing Monday morning. Any
papers received after that, unless there is a serious excuse such as a major
illness (with a note from the doctor), family emergency (with a note from
parents), or other serious problem, will be penalized at the discretion of the
instructor.
Note:
Plagiarism (copying material from books, articles, web sites, or other
students’ work without citing your source) will not be tolerated in the formal
papers, in the exams, or in the short assignments.