INTRODUCTION TO THE TORAH

Introduction:  research methods and seminar plans

Exegesis of the creation stories:  Genesis 1 – 3

Cain and Abel:  Genesis 4:1-16

The Flood:  6:9 – 8:22;  9:1-17

STUDENT RESEARCH PASSAGES

Angels, women, and giants:  Genesis 6:1-8

The Tower of Babel:  Genesis 11:1-9

God's covenant with Abraham:  Genesis 17:1-27

Hagar and Ishmael:  Genesis 16:1-16; 21:1-21

The near-sacrifice of Isaac:  Genesis 22:1-19

Jacob and Esau:  Genesis 27:1 – 28:9

The call of Moses:  Exodus 3:1 – 4:17

Passover:  Exodus 12:1-28

Crossing the Reed Sea:  Exodus 14:1-31

The covenant at Sinai:  Exodus 19:1-25

The Golden Calf:  Exodus 32:1-35

SELECTIONS FROM THE REST OF THE TORAH

Your favorite passages:  First, we'll study together any other passages that you would especially like to explore.  Then we'll look at some of the following:

The Covenant Code:  Exodus 21 – 23

Kosher food laws:  Leviticus 11

The Day of Atonement:  Leviticus 16

Balaam, the donkey, and the angel:  Numbers 22 – 24

The essence of the law:  Deuteronomy 6

EXEGESIS PAPER

First draft due:  Monday, November 23

Final draft due:  Saturday, December 12, 11:30 a.m. (in place of the final exam for this class)

TEXTBOOKS

Friedman, Richard Elliott.  Commentary on the Torah.  San Francisco:  HarperCollins, 2003. 0-06-050717-9.

Towner, W. Sibley.  Genesis.  Westminster Bible Companion.  Louisville:  Westminster John Knox, 2001.  0-664-25256-7.

Meyers, Carol.  Exodus.  The New Cambridge Bible Commentary.  New York:  Cambridge University Press, 2005.  0-521-00291-5.

            You'll need a complete Bible in the New Revised Standard Version, so that we will have a common translation.  You may use any edition, preferably one with interpretive commentary and cross-references.  I recommend The HarperCollins Study Bible, The New Oxford Annotated Bible, or The New Interpreter's Study Bible.  Please bring three books to class each day:  (1) your Bible,

(2) Friedman’s commentary, and (3) either Towner’s commentary (when we’re studying Genesis) or Meyers’ commentary (when we’re studying Exodus).

            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 9 o'clock Monday-Wednesday-Friday classes will meet from 10:30 to 10:55.

GOALS

You will gain an understanding of a wide variety of types of material in the Torah, with a special focus on stories and laws.

You will develop a familiarity with reference materials available in print and online for research in Genesis and Exodus.

You will learn the Hebrew alphabet well enough to be able to use reference sources which include key Hebrew words or phrases.

You will produce an exegesis paper on a passage from Genesis or Exodus, in accordance with standards expected for scholarly research.

You will share the results of your research with the rest of the class, further increasing your ability to express yourself orally with clarity and precision.

RESEARCH PROJECT

            Each person in the class will do special research on one passage in the outline above. You will work with me in choosing a section from the Torah which you would like to explore carefully.  I will give you guidelines for exegesis – scholarly interpretation of a biblical passage.

            After you have done some initial research, you will meet again with me to discuss your key ideas and basic resources, so that I can help you in clarifying the focus and direction of your paper.  You will then continue to find sources in our library, electronic resources, and materials available on interlibrary loan.  Take good notes, and don't mark up any library books –  that would ruin them as reference sources for future readers! 

            Please choose your passage and reserve it with me as soon as possible.  If you have special interest in a passage from Genesis or Exodus that is different from those listed, talk with me about your preference, and we'll see if the library has access to resources for adequate research on it.

CLASS PRESENTATION

            At an appropriate point in our course schedule, you'll give a class presentation, sharing the ideas that you have gained from your research so far.  Here are some suggestions:

·         Be clear and articulate; don't just read from a paper, but use your notes and express your ideas in your own words.  Take your time, and make sure that everybody is able to follow you. 

·         Several days before your presentation, talk with me about how to pronounce the names of any foreign-language names and places.  I'll help you feel comfortable with the pronunciation.  While you're speaking, write key words and names on the board for clarity.

·         To help your fellow students understand and remember your main points, provide visual aids such as maps, outlines, or identifications of significant terms. 

·         Involve us actively through questions and discussion.  Help this time to be enjoyable and informative for the whole group!  We'll discuss your passage and perhaps even give you some additional insights and questions to explore.

·         You have one class period for your presentation, including time to answer any questions.  After your presentation, I'll resume leading the class until time for the next student presentation. 

·         I'll give you a written evaluation of your oral competence in this presentation.

EXEGESIS PAPER

            You'll write an exegesis paper on the same passage(s) from the Torah.  The body of the paper will be at least ten full pages long, computer‑printed in a 12-point font, double‑spaced, with one-inch margins.  Be sure to save each draft of your paper on a flash drive as well as on your computer's hard drive, so that you may revise it easily or print it out again if it is lost. This project will enable you to develop your skills in research and writing. 

            After our first few student-led presentations, I'll give you guidelines for the paper.  When you've turned in your first draft, I'll give you a checklist responding to it with suggestions for your final draft.  I'll be happy to meet with you any time as you work on your exegesis paper.       

STUDY METHODS

            This is an advanced course, depending on you to share with the group your research and insights.  You'll understand the Torah best if you spend one hour in preparation for each class.  Study carefully the biblical passage that we will be dealing with, as well as the related sections of the commentaries. After the class session read through your notes, and put them in a clear form that you can use later.  Write the date at the beginning of each day's notes; that way you can refer to them easily. 

            If you have any questions that aren't answered in the class sessions, please come by my office, call me at extension 6150,  or send your questions by e-mail (fkellogg@ehc.edu).  I enjoy discussing religious questions! 

CLASS PARTICIPATION

            Discussion.  Because this is an advanced course, building on what you have learned previously, Religion 431 will depend on your contributions to the class – based on your careful study before each session.  I'm counting on you to help, through active discussion, in our exploration of the rich meanings of Torah passages.  Please plan to respond to my exegetical sessions and to presentations by your fellow students on their research.  Come to class faithfully, remain alert, and take careful notes on the sessions, as well as sharing your insights and questions. 

            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 studying the Torah with a rabbi in Jerusalem.  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 Torah 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 an extra credit paper to balance out the grade reduction for an unexcused absence.

            1. During this semester you may attend a lyceum program which will help you to understand more about the Torah. 

            2. You may lead a study of a topic or passage from the Torah in a youth group, Sunday School class, Bible study, or other program.

            3. You may watch a full-length video relevant to the Torah.  (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 passage.  Here are a few possibilities from our library collections; you may find others.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat [video PN1997.J628, DVD PN1997.J628 2000]

Jacob [video PN1997.J495 1985]

Prince of Egypt [Emory United Methodist Church Library] 

            4. If you have been involved in a community service project this semester, you may reflect on how your service project relates to a story or teaching which you have studied in this course.

EVALUATION

            Your name on your exegesis paper means that in accordance with the Honor Code which you signed when you enrolled at Emory & Henry, your work is entirely your own, using appropriate documented sources.  You pledge your personal honor that this is true.

            The final deadline for submission of any written work (other than the exegesis paper), such as extra credit papers, is the last day of class.

            There are no tests in this senior-level research class.  Here's how I'll calculate your overall course grade: 

·         research presentation to the class (20%),

·         exegesis paper (40%), and

·         class participation throughout the semester (40%).

·         ± points for attendance reductions or extra credit additions   

            My grading scale is:

 A = 95 (90‑99)

B = 85 (80‑89)

C = 75 (70‑79)

D = 65 (60‑69)

F = 50 (0-59)

          Your best evaluation will be how well you have come to terms with key ethical and religious concerns for which you find guidance in the Torah.  My hope is that in this class you will continue developing for yourself in this class the principles which will help you for the rest of your life.

                                                                        ם ו ל ש -- Shalom!

                                                                        Fred Kellogg

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

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

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

Last updated:  August 10, 2009