St. Cloud State University
General Education Goal Area 6
Humanities & Fine Arts
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
1.
Proposal Number:
Prepared by: Carla Johnson
Phone: 308-4110
Email: cajohnson@stcloudstate.edu
2.
Requesting Unit: College of Fine Arts and Humanities/Philosophy
3.
Department, Course Number, Title: /REL 150: Introduction to Old Testament-Hebrew Bible
4.
New Course
5.
Will this course be flagged as a diversity course?
Already Designated as Diversity
6.
Will this course also satisfy another General Education Goal Area?
If “Yes” specify which goal area.
Existing Course
No
Diversity Proposal Accompanying This Form
No
Yes
7.
Course bulletin description, including credits and semesters to be offered:
The books of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, their cultural background, and the context from
which they emerged. 3 cr. F, S
8.
Indicate the clientele for whom this course is designed. Is the course for general education only, or
does it fulfill general education and other program needs for this or another department? Obtain
signatures from any affected departments.
This course is one of several which meets an area requirement for the Religious Studies minor,
and it will help fulfill goal area 6 in general education for any students
9.
Indicate any changes that must be made in offerings or resources in your department or other
departments by offering this course.
none
10.
For new courses or courses not yet approved for General Education, indicate any other SCSU departments
or units offering instruction that relates to the content of the proposed course.
none
11.
Courses designated as General Education are included in the assessment plan for the Goal Area(s)
12/11/2009
for which they are approved. Courses for which assessment is not included in the annual GE
assessment report for two years will be removed from the General Education Program.
The Requesting Unit understands and recognizes the above conditions.
12/11/2009
12.
Provide a concise explanation of how the following goal is a “significant focus” of the proposed course.
Goal Area 6: Humanities & Fine Arts
Expand appreciation and critical understanding of changing modes of human expression and systems of
thought in the arts and humanities, and develop abilities in the creation and performance of meaning.
This course is a detailed examination of the Hebrew Bible, employing analytic and critical tools
of several discipines, aimed at understanding the set of writings that comprise the primary text of the
Jewish people and Judaism and a significant portion of canonical Christian scripture.
13. In order for a course to be designated as fulfilling Goal Area 6, it must address at least 5 of the 7 student learning
outcomes (SLOs) below. Check the SLOs below that are focused on in the proposed general education course.
1. Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.
2. Describe and appreciate works in the arts and humanities as expressions of individual and collective values
within an intellectual, cultural, historical and social context.
3. Interpret and respond critically to works from various cultures in the arts and humanities.
4. Explore intellectually the ideas expressed in works in the arts and humanities.
5. Engage in creative processes or interpretive performance.
6. Articulate an informed personal response to works in the arts and humanities.
7. Analyze the diverse means of communication in the arts and humanities.
14.
Discuss how each Student Learning Outcome checked above is achieved in this course. (Note: Although
descriptions of typical assignments or types of assignments may be part of this discussion, it is not
appropriate to submit copies of actual assignments.)
1. Through reading of a significant portion of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and in discussion
of the historical and cultural contexts related to the creation of that text, students will become aware of
the great variety of forms of literature in the Bible as well as the historic scope of its origins.
2. Through lecture and by reading the work of biblical scholars, students will be able to explain the
types of literature contained in the Bible, the purposes of those literary expressions for the Jewish
people as well as within the religious traditions that developed from Jewish roots.
3. Students will develop skills related to critical reading of historic literary works through lecture,
secondary source readings and group discussion aimed at building hermeneutical ability.
4. In essay examinations and short written work, students will explain key themes, interpretive
strategies and applications of ideas from the major portions of Hebrew scriptures, including creation
themes, the role of patriarchy, the nature of prophetic literature, the concept of messianic tradition,
ancient wisdom traditions.
6. Through class discussion and in short written assignments, students will articulate and support their
own responses to themes and/or textual passages and/or scholarly interpretations of those themes and
texts from the Hebrew scriptures.
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15.
List or attach the Course Outline (adequately described and including percentage of time to be allocated
to each topic). Curriculum Committees may request additional information. Topics larger than 20% need
to be broken down further. Indicate in your course outline where the Student Learning Outcomes
checked above are being met.
1. The nature of scripture, the biblical world and the purposes of the Bible 10% SLO 1
2. Torah 25% SLO 1, 2, 3, 4
A. Creation 5
B. The patriarchs/matriarchs 5
C. Moses, exodus/passover, Sinai 10
C. the Sh'ma 5
3. The Prophets 40% SLO 1, 2, 3, 4
A. Joshua to Samuel 15 also: SLO 6
B. Amos and Hosea 10
C. Jeremiah and Isaiah 15
4. The writings/Wisdom literature 25% SLO 1, 2, 3, 4
A. Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Songs 15
B. Ecclesiastes and Job 10 also: SLO 6
12/11/2009
St. Cloud State University
General Education Transmittal Form
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
Proposal Number
Department: College of Fine Arts and Humanities/Philosophy
Course or Course(s): REL 150
Carla Johnson, Philosophy, and Mark Springer, Int. Dir.-Religious Studies-Int. Assoc. Dean-COFAH
3/1/10
Department or Unit Chair Signature
Date
Department forward to Academic Affairs for publication and electronically to Chair of General Education Committee, Chair
of College Curriculum Committee, College Dean
Recommendation of General Education Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of University Curriculum Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of Faculty Association:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
FA Senate
Signature
Date
Action of Academic Vice President:
Approve
Disapprove
Signature
Entered in Curriculum Data File
12/11/2009
Remarks:
Date