Religion 101: Hebrew Scriptures
Mary Baldwin College
Dr. Kenneth A. Beals
Fall, 2011 (3 credits)
Course Description: A survey of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). The course
examines the historical and geographical setting and the place of Israel in the ancient
Middle East as a background to the writings. The literary forms and religious ideas are
examined to better understand the meaning of the texts to their first readers.
Course Objectives: You will learn to interpret the Hebrew Scriptures independently, in
light of its cultural and historical contexts. You will be able to use a variety of study
resources, including literary studies, to better grasp the structure, arguments and design of
the texts. Hence you will deepen your understanding and appreciation of their intended
message. You will examine each of the three major sections of the Old Testament -Torah, Prophets and Writings -- to better understand their meaning both in biblical times
and today.
You will examine such questions as the following:
--How does this passage understand “God”? How does this understanding change
as we move from one text to another? What are the common elements, if any?
--How does this text describe the human condition? Are we basically seen as
heroic or pathetic, good or evil, determined or free?
--How are the relative roles of men and women defined?
--What social ideals are advanced, and what barriers are seen to the pursuit of
those ideals?
--What religious practices are encouraged or discouraged? How is “spirituality”
defined and practiced?
--Who are the heroes and heroines of these writings? What traits are admired?
How do these qualities compare with those admired today?
You will be encouraged to examine your own beliefs and values in light of those
supported by the texts. A variety of perspectives and interpretations will be presented
throughout the course, and you will be encouraged to defend those views which you find
most persuasive.
We will be working with the texts in English translation; no previous knowledge
of Hebrew is expected or assumed.
Course Requirements: You will complete a quiz on the background material needed for a
solid understanding of the Bible. Next you will complete written tests on two of the three
major portions of the Hebrew Scriptures. You will also write a brief (about 7-10 pages)
paper addressing an issue in biblical interpretation, examining a selected topic in more
depth; your topic will be selected in consultation with the professor, and guidelines for
papers will be provided. You will offer a brief evaluation of your work, using a form
provided by the professor. You will conclude the course with an open book final
examination, a comprehensive final emphasizing the third major section of the Hebrew
Scriptures.
6/11 DI
Evaluation: Grading will be determined as follows:
Background quiz
10%
Two tests (each 20%)
40%
One paper
25%
Self-evaluation
5%
Final exam
20%
The grading scale will be in increments of 10 points (e.g. 90-100 A, 80-89 B etc., with
plus and minus grades used for “border” situations only (e.g. 90, A-; 89, B+).
Grades will be determined primarily by evidence of mastery of the basic issues
discussed in the text and class presentations, with some weight given to clarity of thought
and expression. Religious beliefs (or lack of them!) will not be a factor in grading. An A
represents outstanding mastery and clear presentation of the subject matter; B represents
solid basic mastery and presentation; C represents some deficits in mastery and
presentation; D represents significant deficits, and an F represents a failure to accomplish
the basic goals of the course. Since honest and personal integrity are vital to higher
education, proof of cheating, including plagiarism, will be grounds for failure in this
course.
Discussion boards will be set up on each of the three major sections of the
Hebrew Bible. Posts will not be required, but may earn bonus points for each
“significant” post (one making a thoughtful observation or raising an important question),
up to two posts per section or five points overall. Additional posts are encouraged but
will not receive further bonus points.
Required Reading:
Harris, Stephen, & Robert Platzner. The Old Testament: An Introduction to the Hebrew
Bible. Boston; McGraw-Hill, 2nd ed. 2008 ISBN 978-0-07-299051-5 (pa)
The Holy Bible. Various versions are acceptable, including the Revised Standard, New
Revised Standard, New International and American Standard, and the Jewish
version of the scriptures, entitled the Tanakh. A good study Bible is encouraged,
with the Oxford Annotated, Harper Collins, and The Jewish Study Bible
especially recommended.
Contact Information:
Mail: 613 Alleghany Ave.
Staunton, VA 24401
Email: kbeals@mbc.edu
Phone: Office (540) 887-7092; Res. (540) 886-2734
Office hours:
M-W-F 11 a.m.- 12 noon & M-W 2-3 p.m. Email is checked almost daily, and might be
the most convenient way to communicate. Feel free to contact me with your questions
or concerns!
Course Outline
Block One: Background for Biblical Studies
Parts I & II provide background material for the Bible as a whole and should be read first.
Request and complete the quiz when you have studied this material.
Block Two: The Torah
Read Part III and related material in the Bible. When you have prepared, request and
complete the test.
Block Three: The Prophets
Read Parts IV & V and related material in the Bible. When you have prepared, request
and complete the test.
Block Four: The Writings
Read Parts VI and VII and related material in the Bible. The final exam will emphasize
Part V but will be comprehensive in nature. Part VII will not be given much attention,
since it is beyond the emphasis of the course.
Block Five: Your Paper
You should be thinking about a topic you would like to explore in more depth throughout
your reading, and may select your topic, in consultation with the professor, at any time.
While the paper will not be due until the last week of the semester, if you submit it before
the Thanksgiving break you will have an opportunity to make revisions based on the
professor’s comments, with the final paper grade averaging the grades before and after
revision.
No precise deadlines are included here, but you are encouraged to complete the quiz
within a few weeks of the beginning of the course, with the two tests completed a few
weeks apart. All written work other than the Final exam must be completed by the last
week of campus courses (Dec. 3), and the exam must be completed by the end of campus
exam week (Dec. 10).