THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA
SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES
TRS201 Introduction to the Old Testament
Spring 2009
3 Credit Hours
204 Shahan Hall
MWF 12:10-1:00
Instructor contact information:
Dr. Robert D. Miller II, S.F.O., Associate Professor of Old Testament
Office: 423 Caldwell Hall
Phone: 6702
E-mail: millerb@cua.edu
Office Hours:
Course Description
An introduction to the books and theologies of the Old Testament. Will cover
Priestly history, Deuteronomic history, the Prophets, and Wisdom literature.
Examines methods for interpreting the Old Testament, especially in light of the
Second Vatican Council's Decree on Divine Revelation.
Required Texts
The following are recommended for purchase:
1) David Holgate and Rachel Starr, Biblical Hermeneutics (SCM Studyguide; London:
SCM Press, 2006; distributed in USA by Westminster John Knox Press) ISBN
0334040043 paperback
2) Encountering Ancient Voices: A Guide to Reading the Old Testament, Corrine L.
Carvalho (St. Mary’s Press, 2006; ISBN 978-0-88489-911-2 paperback)
3) Bible
Course Goals
The course aims to enable students to read and hear the OT with greater understanding and
appreciation.
Goals for Student Learning
At the conclusion of the course, the student will understand the difference between Catholic and
Protestant Old Testaments and how these originated; the arrangement of the books of the OT; the
geographical background of the OT, the sources for the history of the OT, the history of OT
times, and the reasons for having the OT as part of the Christian Bible.
Course Requirements
In addition to the reading and the class discussions and lectures, the requirements include:
1) A term examination on February 27. It will take the class period and will cover units
up to that point (see ahead). This counts 25%
2) A final examination on May 8 at 10:30. This 2-hour examination will emphasize
units after the midterm (see ahead). Any pre-approved make-ups of the midterm will
be given in the 3rd hour of our final exam slot. This will count 30%
3) About forty-five “Homework” assigned from the textbooks throughout the semester
(see below). Late homework will be docked one +/- of a letter each day it is late. The
total Homework portion of your grade counts 45% of the final course grade.
Expectations and policies
Academic honesty: Academic honesty is expected of all CUA students. Faculty are
required to initiate the imposition of sanctions when they find violations of academic
honesty, such as plagiarism, improper use of a student’s own work, cheating, and
fabrication.
The following sanctions are presented in the University procedures related to Student
Academic Dishonesty (from
http://policies.cua.edu/academicundergrad/integrityprocedures.cfm): “The presumed
sanction for undergraduate students for academic dishonesty will be failure for the
course. There may be circumstances, however, where, perhaps because of an
undergraduate student’s past record, a more serious sanction, such as suspension or
expulsion, would be appropriate. In the context of graduate studies, the expectations for
academic honesty are greater, and therefore the presumed sanction for dishonesty is
likely to be more severe, e.g., expulsion. ...In the more unusual case, mitigating
circumstances may exist that would warrant a lesser sanction than the presumed
sanction.”
Please review the complete texts of the University policy and procedures regarding
Student Academic Dishonesty, including requirements for appeals, at
http://policies.cua.edu/academicundergrad/integrity.cfm.
Other Policies or Expectations. Preparation, attendance and active participation is
expected for every class session. Students who must be absent from class should inform
the professor in advance. Otherwise they should explain the reason for their absence as
soon as possible. Official documentation signed by a CUA or other recognized authority
is needed for an absence to be excused. Leaving class early should also be explained as
soon as possible. Leaving and returning to the classroom while class is being conducted
is an annoying distraction. If you leave the class early, please do not return during the
class period. Leaving class early may be counted as an absence. N. B.: Missing four or
more classes due to unexcused absences will automatically lower the final grade.
Punctuality is a sign of courtesy and respect for others. Persistent tardiness may result
in a lower final grade.
Accommodations for students with disabilities: Any student who feels s/he may need
an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor
privately to discuss specific needs. Please contact Disability Support Services (at 202
319-5211, room 207 Pryzbyla Center) to coordinate reasonable accommodations for
students with documented disabilities. To read about the services and policies, please
visit the website: http://disabilitysupport.cua.edu.
Assessment
A. Grade Scale and Standards:
A range: Superior, excellent, outstanding
A = 100-94
A- = 93-90
The assignment demonstrates critical, informed, and creative theological inquiry that reflects a
synthetic understanding of essential theological/historical concepts. The assignment
demonstrates insight beyond what is normally expected. This grade presupposes carefully
nuanced reasoning and writing that is free from material, structural and grammatical errors.
The differentiation between an A and A- largely depends on the assignment’s astute reasoning
and engaging writing style in relation to peer work for the same assignment.
B range: Very Good, Good
B+ = 89-87
B = 86-83
B- = 82-80
The assignment demonstrates ready command of full range of concepts and shows some
critical, informed, and creative inquiry that reflects above average understanding of essential
theological/historical concepts. This means the student has produced an assignment that is free
from material, structural and grammatical errors. The differentiation between a B+ and B
largely depends on the assignment’s creativity in relation to peer work for the same
assignment.
C range: Okay, Acceptable
C+ = 79-77
C = 76-73
C- = 72-70
The assignment demonstrates satisfactory ability to describe the overall picture and essential
concepts in a summary manner. This means the student has completed the assignment in a
manner involving no significant errors. Material may not be free from structural and
grammatical errors. Nuanced reasoning is not demonstrated. The differentiation between a C+
and C largely depends on the assignment’s organization in relation to peer work for the same
assignment.
D range: Below average
D = 69-65
The assignment demonstrates reasoning that is neither carefully reasoned nor coherently
presented; writing is insufficient in depth of insight and/or use of texts; presentation is not free
from material error in structure, spelling and grammar. This means that the student failed to
respond adequately to the assignment and its intentions.
F range: Unsatisfactory
F = 64-0
In one or more of the following ways the student: 1) failed to turn in the assignment; 2) did not
respond to the assignment as given; 3) submitted work so thoroughly flawed as to indicate that
the student did not make a serious effort; 4) was involved in plagiarism or cheating.
University grades:
The University grading system is available at
http://policies.cua.edu/academicundergrad//gradesfull.cfm#II
Reports of grades in courses are available at the end of each term on http://cardinalstation.cua.edu
.
Course Schedule
I.
INTRODUCTORY QUESTIONS
Jan 12: Orientation, Course Goals
Jan 14: Inspiration (Have read Carvalho pp. 1-9; Holgate & Starr, pp. 2-22[top];
Prepare “Try it out” on p. 17 to turn in)
Jan 16: Inerrancy (Have read Holgate & Starr pp. 22-25 and Carvalho pp. 18-26)
Jan 21: The Canon of Scripture (Have read Carvalho pp. 13-17)
Jan 23: The Canon of Scripture, continued (Have read Holgate & Starr, pp. 26-37;
Prepare “Try it out” on p. 27 to turn in).
Jan 26, 28: The Geography of Ancient Palestine (Have read Carvalho pp. 10-12)
Jan 30: Flora and Fauna (Prepare Carvalho “For Review” pp. 24-25, items 2-9 to turn
in)
II. PENTATEUCH
Feb 2: The Creation Stories (Read Carvalho pp. 27-35; 388-98; Prepare Carvalho
“Looking Closely,” p. 389 to turn in)
Feb 4: Primeval History (Read Holgate & Starr, pp. 44-54; Prepare “Try it out” on p.
47-48)
Feb 6: Patriarchal Narratives. Abraham (Read Carvalho pp. 36-66; Prepare
Carvalho “Looking Closely,” p. 42, item #2; and Carvalho, “For Review,” p. 65, items #2
and #5)
Feb 9: The Exodus. (Read Carvalho chapter 3; Prepare Carvalho “Looking Closely,”
p. 83, items #2-3; and “For Review,” p. 87, any two of items #1-4)
Feb 11: The Sinai Covenant (Read Carvalho chapter 4; Prepare Carvalho “Looking
Closely,” p. 114, item #1)
Feb 13: The Ten Commandments (Read Holgate & Starr, pp. 36-43; Prepare “Try it
out” on pp. 36-37)
Feb 16: Source Criticism of the Pentateuch (Prepare Carvlaho, “For Review,” p. 120,
items #2-3, 6-8
III. DEUTERONOMY AND THE DEUTERONOMISTIC HISTORY
Feb 18: Deuteronomy and the Deuteronomistic History (No reading or homework!)
Feb 23: Bible translations (Read Holgate & Starr, pp. 65-77; Prepare “Try it out” on p. 76)
Feb 25: Examples of modern interpretive technique (Prepare Carvalho “Looking Closely,” p.
116, item #4)
FEB 27 -- MIDTERM
Mar 9: The Emergence of Israel in Canaan (Read Carvalho chapter 5; Prepare
Carvlaho, “For Review,” p. 150, ##1-6)
Mar 11: Samuel, Saul, and David (Read Carvalho chapter 6; Prepare Carvalho “Looking
Closely,” p. 166, #1; and Carvalho “Looking Closely,” p. 180)
Mar 13: Solomon (Read Holgate & Starr, pp. 78-88; Prepare Carvalho “Looking
Closely,” p. 183 or p. 186 #1
Mar 16: The Divided Monarchy (Prepare Carvalho “For Review,” p. 189, any two
of items #1-2, 4)
Mar 18: The Exile (Read Carvalho chapter 7; Prepare Carvalho “Looking Closely,” p.
212, item #3 or #6; and “For Review,” p. 216, any one of items #2-3, 5-6)
IV.THEOLOGIES OF THE PROPHETS
Mar 23: Introduction to Prophets and Prophecy (Read Carvalho pp. 242-54; Prepare
“For Review,” p. 266, any two of items #1, 3-4, 6)
Mar 25: Pre-Classical and Classical Prophets, Amos (Read Holgate & Starr, pp. 55-60;
Prepare Carvalho “Looking Closely,” p. 260, #4)
Mar 27 (Teaching Assistant): Hosea and Isaiah (Read Carvalho pp. 255-67 and chapter
10; Prepare Carvalho “Looking Closely,” pp. 262-63, item 4 or 5; and “Looking Closely,” p.
275, #2 or p. 277, #3 or p. 280, #1)
Mar 30: Jeremiah (Read Carvalho pp. 299-318)
Apr 1: Church documents relevant to Scripture study (Read Holgate & Starr, chapter
6; Prepare “Try it out” on pp. 158-59 or the one on pp. 160-61)
Apr 3: Ezekiel and Second Isaiah (Read Carvalho pp. 319-60; Prepare Carvalho
“Looking Closely,” p. 323, #2; and “Looking Closely,” p. 356, #3);
Apr 6: Post-exilic prophets (Prepare Carvalho “For Review,” pp. 369-70, any two of #15, 7-8)
V. POETRY
Apr 8: Techniques of Hebrew Poetry (Read Carvalho pp. 218-20 and Holgate & Starr,
chapter 5; Prepare “Try it out” on pp. 122-23 or on p. 130)
Apr 15: The Psalm “Titles” (Read Carvlaho pp. 221-34)
Apr 17: Groupings/Divisions within the Psalter (Prepare “Try it out” on Holgate &
Starr p. 143)
Apr 20: Form Criticism of the Psalms (Prepare “Try it out” on Holgate & Starr p. 145)
Apr 22: Song of Solomon (Read Carvalho pp. 235-39; Prepare “For Review,” p. 240)
VI. WISDOM LITERATURE
Apr 24: Wisdom Literature (Read Holgate & Starr, chapter 4; Prepare one of the
“Try it out”s on either p. 96 or on p. 104 or on p. 115)
Apr 27: Proverbs and Job (Read Carvalho chapter 13 and pp. 442ff; Prepare
Carvalho “Looking Closely,” p. 384, one of items 2-5 and “Looking Closely,” p. 385, #1)
VII. APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE and SHORT STORIES (Read Carvalho pp. 435-41 and
chapter 14; also read Holgate & Starr, chapter 7) – Apr 29
May 1: Review for Final Exam
I.