Intro to the Hebrew Bible

Instructor: Eric C. Smith, Ph.D.

Catalog description: An introduction to the literature and history of ancient Israel and early Judaism with special attention to the various methods appropriate to studying the Hebrew Bible.

Additional description: As a breadth course, this class is designed to provide a one quarter survey of the Hebrew Bible. It is organized according to the canonical ordering of the Hebrew Bible. Students will study the content and themes of the books of the Hebrew Bible, their historical and social backgrounds, and scholarly interpretations and approaches to the materials. Among the objectives of the course is to prepare students for further coursework in biblical studies and to develop each student’s skills in critical, close reading of biblical texts.

Course Description

Catalog description: An introduction to the literature and history of ancient Israel and early Judaism with special attention to the various methods appropriate to studying the Hebrew Bible.

Additional description: As a breadth course, this class is designed to provide a one-quarter survey of the Hebrew Bible. It is organized somewhat canonically (roughly following the order of the canon), but also somewhat thematically. Students will study the content and themes of the books of the Hebrew Bible, their historical and social backgrounds, and scholarly interpretations and approaches to the materials. Among the objectives of the course is to prepare students for further coursework in biblical studies and to develop each student’s skills in critical, close reading of biblical texts.

Course Goals and Objectives

The primary goal of this course is to familiarize students with major aspects of the critical study of the Hebrew Bible. In order to accomplish this goal, we will:

1. introduce and familiarize students with the content of the Hebrew Bible, the types of literature it contains, and the historical and cultural contexts in which this literature was produced, through readings, lectures, discussions, and assessments;
2. help develop students’ abilities to read the Hebrew Bible critically by examining scholarly theories and approaches to its interpretation, through readings, lectures, and online discussions;
3. improve students' skills in critical reading of biblical texts, through readings and discussions.

Additional Resources

Various maps of Israel, the ancient Near East, etc. on the Oxford Biblical Studies Online site (Links to an external site.) (Please note: the use of this site and these maps requires you to log in here (Links to an external site.) with your username and password if you are off campus; use the same username and password you use with Canvas and my.iliff).  (Links to an external site.)

Maps of the ancient Near East (Oxford Biblical Studies Online):

The Near East in the Time of the Assyrian Empire (Links to an external site.)

The Near East in the Time of the Persian Empire (Links to an external site.)

Maps of Canaan (Oxford Biblical Studies Online):

Israel in Canaan (Links to an external site.): Joshua to Samuel to Saul

The United Monarchy (Links to an external site.)

The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah (Links to an external site.)

1. Weekly posting, 40%. This will consist of a post in each week (excepting weeks 4 and 5) in the Primary Text, Secondary Text, Parallel Text, and Doing Public Exegesis and Public Theology discussions. The first three are worth 1 point each; the latter is worth 2 points each, for a total available of 5 points per week. 5 points x 8 weeks = 40 points, or 40% of your final grade. 
2. Week 4 post, 5%. 
3. Week 5 post, 5%. 
4. Midterm Exam, 25%. 
5. Final Exam, 25%. 

Degree Learning Goals: Please take some time to look over the Professional Degree Learning Goals and the Academic Degree Learning Goals. 

Incompletes:  Incompletes are allowed only in the rarest and most urgent circumstances. See the Master's Student Handbook for Policies and Procedures.

Pass/Fail:  Masters students wishing to take the class pass/fail should discuss this with the instructor by the end of the first week of class.

Academic Integrity and Community Covenant:  All students are expected to abide by Iliff’s statement on Academic Integrity, as published in the Masters Student Handbook, or the Joint PhD Statement on Academic Honesty, as published in the Joint PhD Student Handbook, as appropriate.  All participants in this class are expected to be familiar with Iliff’s Community Covenant.

Accommodations:  Iliff engages in a collaborative effort with students with disabilities to reasonably accommodate student needs.   Students are encouraged to contact their assigned advisor to initiate the process of requesting accommodations.  The advising center can be contacted at advising@iliff.edu or by phone at 303-765-1146. 

Writing Lab:  Grammar and organization are important for all written assignments.  Additional help is available from the Iliff Writing Lab, which is available for students of any level who need help beginning an assignment, organizing thoughts, or reviewing a final draft. 

Inclusive Language:  It is expected that all course participants will use inclusive language in speaking and writing, and will use terms that do not create barriers to classroom community.