TITLE OF PROPOSAL
□ New
□ Changes within Major
□ Changes within Cognate *
□ Changes in Minor or Track
□ Changes in Concentration*
□ Program Deletion
(NB: I give up trying to get this document to format properly. Either it won’t have two columns at the top or it won’t have the single column info immediately after the double column info. I have chosen to keep the two columns intact. Therefore, the single column additional information on the Signature Sheet follows on page 2 of this document.
- D. Germeroth)
XX New
□ Changes in Course taken only by Majors
□ Changes in Course required of Non-
Majors*
□ Changes in Course open to Non-Majors
□ Deletion of Course taken only by Majors
□ Deletion of Course required of Non-Majors*
□ Deletion of Course open to Non-Majors

SPONSORING DEPARTMENT (S) DATE(S)
Signature of Sponsoring Chair(s)/Date
For starred items Chairs of affected Departments/Programs must sign below before Dean’s review
Proposal:
Complete
Additional preliminary comments below
Satisfies U of S Curricular Requirements
Consistent with College Goals/Mission
CAS
CPS
SOM
GRAD
DHC
Committee recommends approval ( new program proposals require a Recommendation from the full Senate )
Proposal will require minimal review: Anticipated FS Meeting Date:__________________
Proposal will require significant review: Anticipated FS Meeting Date: __________________
Additional Signatures
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Department Signature Date
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Department Signature Date
New Course
Department Signature Date

New Course
Course Title: Early Biblical Heroes and Villains
Course Number: T/RS 241Z Date Of Initial Offering: Spring 06
Semester Year
Rationale for
Course level
GE and lower level majors
Credit Hours: ___3___ Format: XX lecture
 lab
 other: ________
Frequency :
 annual
 each semester XX alternate years
Prerequisites: T/RS 121 and 122 (the latter already completed, not taken concomitantly)
Rationale for pre-requisites
(if pre- requisites are listed)
Special
Resources
Required
(e.g. library, equipment, materials/ facilities) necessary preparation for upper level biblical course library books for course reading
Characteristics (check any/all that apply) :
Major:

Required
GE :
X Elective
X submitted to CCC

will be submitted to CCC ___9/24/04_

Area Free only date
 Humanities (CA)  S/B Sciences (S)  Cultural Diversity (D)
 Humanities (CH)  Natural Science (E)  Writing Intensive(W)
 Humanities (CL) X Theology/Phil (P)
 Humanities (CF)  Quantitative Reasoning (Q)
Interdisciplinary: 
YES X NO Team Teaching :

YES X NO
Exclusively For Special Programs/Concentrations: 
NO X YES ( Name )
Home College: X CAS

PCPS

KSOM

GRAD
Required Attachments:
X Catalog Description ( fifty word maximum )
X Syllabus with student learning objectives, assessment/evaluation mechanisms, and outline of topics
X Description of, or example of, readings/papers/projects/examinations
XAssessment/evaluation based course improvement mec h anisms

Catalog Description
T/RS 241Z
(P) Early Biblical Heroes and Villains
3 cr.
(Prerequisites: T/RS 121, T/RS 122) This course will be a theological study of some of the historical books of the Old Testament, especially Joshua, Judges, and the four books concerning kings. Major figures and narratives, like those of King David and the prophet Elijah, will be the main focus.
Syllabus including description of, or example of, readings/papers/projects/examinations
Dr. Susan Mathews
TITLE:
Syllabus
1.0 Course Title and Course Description :
T/RS 241Z
EARLY BIBLICAL HEROES AND VILLAINS (P)
This biblical course will be an in-depth look at some of the historical books of the Old
Testament using modern and ancient exegesis to uncover their theology. Major figures and narratives will be the focus. Some attention will be devoted to relevant historical and archaeological data, insofar as they support the theological inquiry. The books of Joshua,
Judges, Ruth, and the four concerning Kings will be the main subject of study. The narratives of
David and Elijah will be highlighted. [ Joshua to 2 Kings (minus Ruth) --the “Former Prophets”
-- comprise the Deuteronomistic history (with Deuteronomy as the prologue), and so naturally form a unit of study. Ruth is set within the time of the judges and tells the story of a Moabite ancestress of David. These historical books deal with the period of Israel’s entrance into the land after the death of Moses until the departure from it in the Babylonian exile. ]
2.0 Course Objectives:
2.1. Students will read closely the primary biblical texts in translation, placing them in their historical, literary, and theological contexts. Students will also be introduced to important secondary literature on the historical books, both ancient and modern. Students will read extensively from this literature (that is, what is available in English), and learn to analyze and synthesize through writing various interpretations of the historical books..
GE obj. 1
2.2. Students will gain an appreciation of the historical books (Former Prophets in particular) as part of the Canon, and as part of the Catholic Tradition, including its liturgical usage. Students will also articulate the Catholic understanding of God as expressed in these texts. GE obj. 2 & 4
2.3. Using the tools, techniques and processes of biblical theologians, students will demonstrate knowledge of important theological concepts found in the historical books. GE obj.
2

2.4. Since the historical books contain a great deal of violence and a morality that is quite different from a mature Christian’s ethical code, time will be spent assessing their value for faith life today. Students will engage in detailed discussions of these texts and write analyses and arguments pertaining to major theological modes of interpetation in order to understand them. GE obj. 2 & 6
3.0 Course Topics:
3.1. Exegesis of the historical books (large sections/cycles and select narratives)
3.2. Prophecy and Kingship
3.3. The Land
3.4. Fidelity to the Word of the Lord
3.5. Violence and other difficulties with the biblical text not to be ignored
3.6. The role of the historical books in the Canon and in Catholic Tradition
4.0 Assignments :
TEXTS: 4.1 NAB or RSV, or other GOOD modern English translation of the entire Bible.
4.2 R. Nelson Historical Books (Abingdon Press)
4.3 L. Boadt Reading the Old Testament (relevant sections); C. Westermann’s
Handbook to the Old Testament (relevant sections); and B. Anderson’s Understanding the Old
Testament (relevant sections)
4.4 Many and varied ancient and modern commentaries on the historical books, placed on reserve in the library (see attached reserve list/bibliography)
4.5 A series of short essays will be written on various texts and topics found in the historical books. These essays will critically analyze and synthesize major theological and interpretational readings of these works, based on extensive reading and discussion. A major research paper will also be required.
5.0 Evaluation:
Short essays and a research paper, as in 4.5
6. Prerequisites: T/RS 121 and 122
7. Course Level: GE elective for Theology/Religious Studies/Philosophy
Assessment/Evaluation Based Course Improvement Mechanisms
This course will be assessed/evaluated using the standard mechanisms that the
Theology/Religious Studies Department uses for its undergraduate courses.