BOT / BNT/ BBG 653 -- HISTORY OF ISRAEL: THE INTERTESTAMENTAL PERIOD
Early Spring, Jan 7-11, 2008
3 Credit Hours, Cincinnati Christian University
Mark Ziese, Study 5, Crouch Building
Phone: (513) 244-8190
E-Mail: mark.ziese@ccuniversity.edu
1.0 HELPFUL BOOKS
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English translation of the Apocrypha.
Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, Books XII-XIV. Ralph Marcus, trans. Loeb.
Tomosino, Anthony J., Judaism Before Jesus. InterVarsity, 2003.
Other wonderful readings outlined on the Moodle site associated with this course.
2.0 COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course surveys the period between the rise of Alexander (333 BC) and the reign of Herod the
Great 37-4 BC). Hardly a "Dark Age" as some envision, a number of voices illuminate the rapidly
shifting currents of politics, religion, language, and culture that dramatically altered the biblical
world.
Political currents will be emphasized here, although forays into the areas of religious and cultural
history are anticipated. Limits of time and sources also dictate an agenda giving greater attention
to Palestine generally, and Jewish interests, particularly. This orientation is welcome, however, as
the ultimate goal of the course is to construct a "bridge" between the testaments.
3.0 COURSE OBJECTIVES
The student who satisfactorily completes this course should be able to:
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Outline in broad strokes the political history of the Near East generally and the trajectory of
Palestine specifically between c. 333 and 4 BC;
Discuss the primary sources used to reconstruct the history of this period and understand
some of the problems that hinder such reconstruction;
Articulate historic and thematic relationships that link the Old Testament with the New; &
Understand how the history of Israel culminates in the coming of Jesus Christ.
4.0 MAJOR LEARNING EXPERIENCES
Measured learning experiences in this course include the reading of primary and secondary
source materials, classroom discussion, and the writing of specific projects. These are detailed as
follows:
4.1 Reading of Primary and Secondary Source Materials (30% of final grade)
Reading assignments will be assigned from primary and secondary sources. These are
detailed on the Moodle site associated with this course. Personal notes may prove useful for
class and exam discussions. Each student will estimate his/her own performance here and
submit a statement of completion percentage and grade to my office no later than April 15th,
2008, e.g. “I completed 95% of the reading assignments. Please assign me an A for my
reading grade.” Grades are reckoned according to percentage of reading completed: 100-90%
= A; 89-80% = B; 79-70% = C; 69-60% = D; below 60% = F.
4.2 Writing Projects
The writing of a short paper, a research paper, and an exam is expected. These written
assignments will be completed according to seminary standards (see
http://www.ccuniversity.edu/Library/index.php?ID=30) and submitted to my office as an email
attachment no later than April 15th, 2008.
4.21 Short Paper (20% of final grade)
Compare and contrast the purpose and content of the book of 1st Maccabees with the book of 2nd
Maccabees. Present the result of this work in a short paper (1,500 to 2,000 words).
4.22 Research Paper (30% of final grade)
Do original research on a topic of relevance to the course. Instructor approval is recommended.
Present this study as a paper of approximately 6,000 words (20 pages).
4.23 Exam (20% of final grade)
A take-home exam will be distributed in class on the last day of meeting. This exam will be a
closed book exercise that will test the ability of the learner to interact with the materials of the
course and express these ideas in written form. This exam will consist of the short identification
of select terms/names/issues followed by an essay. Synthesis of course materials is expected.
5.0 OUTLINE OF LECTURE PRESENTATION
For more detail see the Moodle site associated with this course.
I. From One End to Another (from Malachi to the Maccabean Revolt)
A. The long duree
B. Structures
C. Politics and Personalities
II. From the Hasmoneans to the Herodians
A. The long duree
B. Structures
C. Politics and Personalities
6.0 DISCLAIMER
Recognize that this document fairly represents the course as it existed in the mind of the
instructor at the time it was written. Changes to the set of learner expectations or to the
direction of class lectures may be announced in class.