UNIT 1:  THE TORAH

 In the first unit, we’ll interpret the basic stories that have shaped the Christian faith – mostly from the first two books of the Bible, Genesis and Exodus.  These stories include the two great accounts of creation, the origins and consequences of sin, how the Hebrews developed as a people, and their dramatic escape from slavery into freedom.

            Foundations

Introduction:  Coogan, chapters 1-2 (Wed Aug 26 - Fri Aug 28)

Creation and the Fall of humanity:  Genesis 1-3; Coogan, pages 27-47 (Mon Aug 31 - Fri Sep 4)

Fallout from the Fall – Cain and Abel, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel:  Genesis 4-11; Coogan, pages 47-57 (Mon Sep 7)

            Patriarchs and matriarchs

The family of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar:  Genesis 12-18; Coogan, chapter 5 (Wed Sep 9)

The family of Isaac and Rebekah:  Genesis 21-24 (Fri Sep 11)

The family of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah:  Genesis 25-33 (Mon Sep 14)

The family of Jacob’s twelve sons – Joseph and his brothers:  Genesis 37-50 (Wed Sep 16)

            From Egypt through the Sinai wilderness

Moses, Aaron, Miriam, Zipporah, and the exodus:  Exodus 1-15; Coogan, chapter 6 (Fri Sep 18 - Mon Sep 21)

Hebrew laws:  Exodus 16-21 and 32-34; Coogan, pages 96-120 (Wed Sep 23 - Fri Sep 25)

4  Log 1 on a passage from Genesis 12-50 or Exodus 1-15 (Fri Sep 25)

Holiness:  Leviticus 11 and 16; Deuteronomy 34; Coogan, pages 120-130 (Mon Sep 28)

Review session:  www.ehcweb.ehc.edu/faculty/fkellogg/131u1.htm  (Wed Sep 30)

Test 1, including the Ten Commandments (Fri Oct 2) 
 

UNIT 2:  ISRAEL

In the second unit, we’ll see how the Hebrews built on the foundations that they had developed in the wilderness to establish a nation in the land known as Canaan.  They had to develop ways of relating to the people who already lived there, and they also had to produce political leaders who could guide and protect them.

            The Promised Land

Joshua, Rahab, and the Canaanites:  Joshua 1-6 and 10; Coogan, chapter 11 (Mon Oct 5)

Deborah, Gideon, and Samson:  Judges 4-8 and 13-16; Coogan, pages 175-187 (Wed Oct 7)

Naomi and Ruth:  Ruth 1-4; Coogan, pages 187-188 (Fri Oct 9)

            The Golden Age

Samuel and Saul:  1 Samuel 1-3 and 8-15; Coogan, chapter 13 (Mon Oct 12)

            [Fall break Wed Oct 14 – Fri Oct 16]

Saul, David, Jonathan, and Michal:  1 Samuel 16-20, 24, and 31; Coogan, chapter 14 (Mon Oct 19)

David, Bathsheba, and Absalom:  2 Samuel 1-7, 11-18 (Wed Oct 21)

David and Solomon:  1 Kings 1-3; Coogan, chapter 15 (Fri Oct 23)

Review session:  www.ehcweb.ehc.edu/faculty/fkellogg/131u2.htm  (Mon Oct 26)

4  Log 2 on a passage from Joshua 1-6; Judges 4-8; or 1 Samuel 1-16 or 18-31 (Mon Oct 26)

Test 2, including books of the Old Testament (Wed Oct 28)

UNIT 3:  THE PROPHETS

The third unit gives us an opportunity to see how persons of spiritual depth and closeness to God could confront people and their political leaders and challenge them to live by the highest standards.  The words of these courageous individuals have continued to inspire Jews and Christians throughout the centuries.

            Prophecy during the monarchy

Biblical prophecy:  1 Kings 12 and 16-19; 2 Kings 2; Jonah; Coogan, chapter 16 (Fri Oct 30)

Amos, Hosea, and Gomer:  Amos 1-5; Hosea 1-3; Coogan, chapter 17 (Mon Nov 2)

Isaiah:  Isaiah 6-7; Coogan, chapter 18 (Wed Nov 4 - Fri Nov 6)

            The Babylonian exile

Jeremiah and Josiah’s Reform:  Jeremiah 7; Coogan, chapter 19 (Mon Nov 9)

Ezekiel’s flying chariot and the Dry Bones:  Ezekiel 1 and 37; Coogan, pages 315-325 (Wed Nov 11)

Second Isaiah and the Suffering Servant:  Isaiah 40 and 52-53; Coogan, chapter 21 (Fri Nov 13)

4  Log 3 on a passage from Amos, Hosea, Isaiah 1-39, Jeremiah, or Ezekiel (Fri Nov 13)

Review session:  www.ehcweb.ehc.edu/faculty/fkellogg/131u3.htm   (Mon Nov 16)

Test 3, including a map of Israel (Wed Nov 18)

UNIT 4:  WRITINGS AFTER THE EXILE

 The final unit allows us to try to answer some of the most difficult religious questions that are discussed in the Bible.  It also gives us glimpses into the actions of persons who lived out their faith in spite of danger.

             Judah

Rebuilding Jerusalem:  Ezra 1 and 3; Nehemiah 2 and 8; Coogan, pages 341-345, 349-353 (Fri Nov 20)

The Hebrew hymnal:  Psalms 21-24; Coogan, pages 366-373 (Mon Nov 23)

          [Thanksgiving break Wed Nov 25 – Fri Nov 27]

Why do bad things happen to good people?  Job 1-13, 38, and 42; Coogan, pages 374-375, 380-389 (Mon Nov 30)

The meaning of life:  Ecclesiastes 1-4 and 9-12; Coogan, pages 389-393 (Wed Dec 2)

            Courageous heroes

Esther and Daniel:  Esther 1-10; Daniel 1-6 ; Coogan, pages 396-400 (Fri Dec 4 - Mon Dec 7)

Review session:  www.ehcweb.ehc.edu/faculty/fkellogg/131u4.htm  (Wed Dec 9)  Final deadline for turning in any written work

Final exam:  (1) short-answer questions on the whole course, (2) essay section on unit 4, (3) comprehensive essay, and (4) comprehensive map of the Middle East (1:30-4:30 Wed Dec 16) 

            Tests and exams are not given early.  If you have a last-minute emergency or hospitalization at the final exam time, we'll arrange for you to receive an Incomplete in the class and take a makeup exam at a later time.  In all other cases, plan to take the exam at the scheduled time.  Since our exam for this class has been scheduled in the very last slot during the exam period, you'll need to make your travel plans for the Christmas break in accordance with this requirement.

TEXTBOOKS

The HarperCollins Study Bible:  New Revised Standard Version.  Revised edition.  New York:  HarperCollins, 2006.  0-06-078683-3.  [Note:  if someone sells you a different Bible instead of this one, please exchange it right away at the bookstore.]

Coogan, Michael D.  A Brief Introduction to the Old Testament.  New York:  Oxford University Press, 2009.  0-19-533272-8.  [Note:  this is not the same textbook that was used in the spring; it is a shorter version by the same author.]

& Please bring your Bible to class each day, so that you can relate the information from the lectures and discussions to appropriate sections of the readings.

Y  In the very rare circumstance that the college is on a Delayed Opening schedule, announced on area radio and TV stations, this class and all other 1:30 Monday-Wednesday-Friday classes will meet at the regular time.

GOALS AND REQUIREMENTS

             I'm glad that you've chosen to take this course!  I'll try my very best to help you get the most out of it.  So that you may see the plans for our work together this semester, let me share with you the approach that I have established in Religion 131.  You may set additional goals for your own study of the Old Testament.  At the end, I hope that we can look back and feel that we have accomplished most of our goals!

            Goal 1:  to develop foundations for interpreting the Old Testament.  I'll help you learn significant stories and teachings of the Old Testament and how to interpret them in light of their historical, cultural, and literary backgrounds.  You'll develop the ability to locate and describe key places on maps of the Middle East.  You'll memorize the order of the Old Testament books – a list which will help you to find your way around the Bible all your life. 

            As we explore key issues, you’ll find that usually there isn't just one "right" interpretation.  I'll help you to look at the rich variety of biblical ideas and identify methods for understanding what they meant in the Old Testament period.

            Goal 2:  to use study time effectively. You'll understand the Old Testament best if you take about an hour before each class session to study the assigned readings from the Bible and the textbook.   Soon after the class session, review your class notes and put them in a clear form.  Reread sections from the Bible and the textbook that relate to your notes.  Write the date at the beginning of each day’s notes; that way you can refer to them easily when studying for tests.  In the years ahead, you’ll remember the information that you’ve learned day by day much better than what you’ve crammed the night before a test.

            Before each test, go through the computer review of the unit.  Type into your Web browser either the address for the individual review or for my Home Page, which has links to all the review programs.  Type the numerals carefully:  for example, 131u1 stands for Religion 131, unit 1. 

            You will have three tests, one over each unit.  I will count only the best two and drop your lowest test grade.  If you miss a test for any reason, I’ll count that as your lowest grade and drop it.  I’ll save a blank copy of the missed test for you, for study purposes.  Since I have this generous policy of counting only the highest two of the three test grades, please don’t ask me to give a makeup test for you before or after the scheduled test time; a makeup test would take hours for me to develop.  Instead, if you miss a test, plan on dropping that grade.  I’ll save a blank copy of the missed test for you, for study purposes.  No, you may not drop the final exam grade!  J

            Goal 3:  to see the Old Testament as a living book, relevant to people today.  You'll share your reflections in “logs,” short papers on three passages. Please follow carefully these guidelines:

            1. Choose from the log options listed in the schedule one passage:  an entire section with a heading in The HarperCollins Study Bible, at least a half-dozen verses long.  It doesn’t need to be a passage which we’ve studied in class. 
For log 1, choose a passage from Genesis 12-50 or from Exodus 1-15. 
For log 2, choose a passage from Joshua 1-6, Judges 4-8, or 1 Samuel 1-16 or 18-31.
For log 3, choose a passage from Amos, Hosea, Isaiah 1-39, Jeremiah, or Ezekiel. 

            2. Give the book, chapter, and verses of your chosen passage, followed by the heading from The HarperCollins Study Bible.  Here’s an example of the kind of sentence with which you should begin your paper:  This log is based on Exodus 23:1-9, “Justice for All.” 

            3. Summarize and interpret the passage in your own words.  Reflect on what this passage meant to people thousands of years ago.   Relate it to what you’ve learned from the class sessions, the textbook, other relevant biblical passages, and the notes in The HarperCollins Study Bible.  Do not use other sources than these, such as the internet.  Instead of quoting, put everything in your own words.  You don’t need documentation or a bibliography. 

            4. Identify in your own words one main point in the passage.  This is often called a thesis statement.  State it clearly in a form like this:  “The main point in this passage is that . . .”   Example from Exodus 23:1-9:  The main point in this passage is that God wants people in positions of leadership to treat the poor and less powerful people fairly.

            5. Then relate the passage to your own life experiences or things that have happened to someone that you know.  Share how it helps you to understand God, the world, or personal relationships.  Please don’t just use vague generalizations; give specific, real-life examples of what the passage means to you.

            6.  I don’t accept any paper by email, because my experience is that most of us produce a better paper by printing it out and carefully proofreading the printed copy for clarity and accuracy.  Your log should be printed neatly with your computer set for double spacing, to give me plenty of room for comments and suggestions.  It must be at least 500 words long.  An excellent (A) paper will normally be significantly longer than the bare minimum of 500 words.

            7. Backup, backup, backup!  < Save each draft of your paper on a flash drive, so that it’s not lost if your computer crashes or if you have printer problems.  L   

            8. Fold the pages together lengthwise (unstapled) and put your name on the outside.  I'll return your first draft promptly, together with a checklist and suggestions to help you improve your paper.  I’ll keep your final draft for evaluation of your group of three logs – or, in rare cases, I’ll keep your first draft if it is so good that it doesn’t need to be rewritten.  This evaluation will count as 1/4 of your course grade.

            Goal 4:  to participate in the class fully. 

            Discussion.  Please come to class faithfully, bring your Bible so that you can look up passages to which I refer, and take careful notes on the lectures.  This is primarily a lecture course, so you are not required to discuss or ask questions, but discussion is certainly welcome!  If you don’t understand something in the lecture or the readings, or if you have an insight into an Old Testament passage that would be helpful to the group, I would appreciate your sharing your questions or interpretations.  I would also be very happy for you to come to my office any time and talk with me about issues in your study of religion, or to email me with any questions or reflections.

            Attendance.  During your college years, by responsible class attendance you can establish a reputation for reliability that will help your professors to write good reference letters for jobs or programs of graduate study.  I value faithful attendance highly, as an indication of your commitment to the course goals.  But I don’t want you to come to class when you’re sick, for your own sake and for the sake of your fellow students.  You may request that up to three absences be excused for appropriate reasons such as sickness, athletic competition, dangerous driving conditions because of  weather, or an event officially sponsored by E&H for which your absence has been authorized in an email to me from an E&H faculty sponsor.  Right after any absence, please email me, giving the reason that you missed class if you want me to consider excusing the absence. 

            You may request that one absence be counted as a personal absence, with no need for an explanation and no penalty.  Reasons for a personal absence include such things as oversleeping, finishing a test in another class, attending a wedding, helping a friend, participating in a workshop or seminar related to your major, going home to take care of a family matter, or reading your Bible so intently on the way to class that you fell into the duck pond and were swallowed by a whale.  If you want to count a missed class as your one personal absence, just email me; you don’t need to give me a reason for your absence. 

            An unexcused absence, or an absence beyond a total of four for any reason, will reduce your overall course average by 2 points.

            Extra credit.  Here are a few options to boost your final course grade by either one or two points.  Write a one-page paper summarizing each program or video (including the date that you attended the program or watched the video)  and relating it to what you’ve been learning about the Old Testament in this course.  The paper must be computer-printed, not emailed.  Turn in your paper within a week or so, while the event is still fresh on your mind.  One acceptable paper will add 1 point to your overall course average, or two papers will add 2 points.  If you wish, you may write two extra credit papers to balance out the grade reduction for an unexcused absence.

            1. You may find a lyceum event this semester which helps you to understand the Old Testament.  

            2. You may interpret the Old Testament by teaching a Sunday School class, leading a Bible study, or speaking to a group.  

            3. If you have been involved in a community service project this semester, you may reflect on how your project relates to an Old Testament story or teaching that you’ve studied in this course.

            4. You may watch a full-length video relevant to the Old Testament.  (Watching a TV program would not earn extra credit.)  You may view it any time in the semester, not only when we’re studying that particular topic.  Our library has three videos which are relevant to this course:

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat [DVD PN1997.J628 2000]
King David [video BS580.D3K56]
Jacob [video PN1997.J495 1985]

            Goal 5:  to make the best of a system of evaluation which is thorough, accurate, and fair. 

            Your signature on any test or paper means that in accordance with the Honor Code which you signed when you enrolled at Emory & Henry, your work is entirely your own, you have not looked at anyone else’s test or paper, and you have used only the sources identified in the guidelines – not the internet or other unapproved sources.  You pledge your personal honor that this is true.

            The final deadline for submission of any written work, such as extra credit papers, is the last day of class.

            My grading scale is:  

A = 95 (90‑99)
B = 85 (80‑89)
C = 75 (70‑79)
D = 65 (60‑69)
F = 50 (0-59). 

            I’ll base your grade on the following:

50%:    the best two of the three tests – if you miss a test for any reason, I’ll count that as your lowest grade and drop it, so you won’t have to take a makeup test

25%:    final exam

 25%:    the quality and timeliness of your three logs

 ±          attendance reductions or extra credit additions

             Goal 6:  to share the task. 

             In my opinion, the Bible is the most interesting book in the world!  I will enjoy sharing with you my insights and learning from you new ways of looking at passages in the Old Testament.  We can work together in learning a lot from this ageless text which has meant so much to Jews and Christians!

                                                                                            Fred Kellogg

If you would like, you can send me e-mail: fkellogg@ehc.edu

To look at one of my other syllabi, go to my Home Page.

To review a unit in the Old Testament course, go directly to one of the following:

    Unit 1, Hebrew beginnings
    Unit 2, The land of Israel
    Unit 3, The prophets
    Unit 4, Writings after the Exile

If you prefer, you may return to the Emory & Henry College Home Page.

Last updated:  August 05, 2009