IST3069-1-WI16 - War, Politics, Society & the H. B.

Prof. Mark K. George
I-202C
mgeorge@iliff.edu

Draft date 2015-12-01

Course description

This course examines the interrelationship between war, politics, society and the Hebrew Bible and their interplay both in the texts and in larger historical, social, and cultural contexts.

Further description: War, society, and politics are topics of concern throughout the Hebrew Bible. This course examines the complex interplay of these themes and how they appear in the national and international contexts within which the Hebrew Bible was written and produced. Consideration also will be given to how interpretations of the biblical texts are shaped by, and shape, modern understandings of these themes.

Course Objectives

• To expand students’ critical understandings of important literature, concepts, theories, and methods used in the study of the interactions of war, politics, society and the Hebrew Bible, through readings and class work;
• To broaden student skills in critically reading and interpreting biblical texts, through readings, class work, and written assignments;
• To develop students’ understandings of how war, politics, and society throughout the ancient Near East shaped biblical texts, through readings and written work;
• To improve analytical and writing skills, through class work and the final paper.

Books

Coming soon.