INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT
GARDNER-WEBB UNIVERSITY
SPRING 2007
RELI-101-M
Lindsey Hall Room 214
T TH 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
3 CREDIT HOURS
Instructor Information
Samuel B. Harrelson
Phone: 803-413-6834
Email: sam@harrelson.com
Site: http://www.harrelsonreligion.com
Office Hours: Available Upon Request
Texts and Reading Materials
Metzger, Bruce M., and Roland E. Murphy, eds. The New Oxford Annotated Bible with
the
Apocrypha 3rd edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001.
Tullock, John H. The Old Testament Story. 7th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice
Hall, 2002.
Additional materials and reading assignments will be distributed throughout the semester
and made available on http://www.harrelsonreligion.com.
Course Description and Objectives
An introduction and survey of the Old Testament focusing upon the history, literature,
and faith of the people of Israel.
Course Goal: The student will demonstrate understanding of the history, literature, and
faith of the people of Israel.
As a part of the General Education Competencies, “Dimensions of Excellence,” Religion
101 will support the core curriculum by the following objectives:
1. Students will describe the significance of major people, places, events, theme
and other types of literature in the Old Testament. This objective will be
assessed through a pre-test/post-test in the course, in addition to the unit exams
and final exams of the course. The department will evaluate the results of these
pre-tests/post-tests at the beginning of each new academic year following their
administration. Each professor will evaluate all other class exams for their own
courses unless the Department specifically requests an opportunity to do so. Final
exams for each course will be kept in the departmental files to be reviewed by the
Department chair.
2.
Students will trace the historical development of the canons of the Old
Testament. This objective will be assessed through a pre-test/post-test in the
course, in addition to the unit exams and final exams of the course. The
department will evaluate the results of these pre-tests/post-tests at the beginning
of each new academic year following their administration. Each professor will
evaluate all other class exams for their own courses unless the Department
specifically request san opportunity to do so. Final exams for each course will be
kept in the departmental files to be reviewed by the Department chair.
3. Students will identify, assess and utilize appropriate resources in biblical
interpretation. This objective will be assessed through a written analysis as
detailed in the course syllabi in which students will demonstrate the ability to
meet this goal. Each professor will set aside a portion of class time to explain the
differences in types of research tools available, and will provide a bibliography or
suggested resources for students to utilize. Each professor will assess the written
analysis individually unless otherwise requested by the Department. At the end of
each semester, the professor will submit to the Department the average grade for
the analysis paper in each course section. The department will evaluate the results
of these papers at the beginning of new each new academic year following their
administration.
4. Students will utilize the principles of critical analysis in interpreting a verse
of Scripture. This objective will be assessed through a written analysis as
detailed in the course syllabi in which students will demonstrate the ability to
meet this goal. Each professor will set aside a portion of class time to explain the
differences in types of research tools available, and will provide a bibliography or
suggested resources for students to utilize. Each professor will assess the written
analysis individually unless otherwise requested by the Department. At the end of
each semester, the professor will submit to the Department the average grade for
the analysis paper in each course section. The department will evaluate the results
of these papers at the beginning of new each new academic year following their
administration.
Instructional Method
The nature of this class necessitates a majority of lecture style classes. However, we will
be making use of technology and conversation in the class, so please do bring your laptop
(if you have one). For the conversations, we will need your insights and points of view,
so make sure you bring those to class as well. Special sessions involving group projects
will be announced a week in advance.
Course Policies
Students are expected to attend all class periods. Gardner-Webb University policy will
allow no more than 25% absences from this course (this means 7 absences total for our
class).
Class participation is important during group projects and activities involving
conversation. If you are absent, you cannot participate, and this will adversely affect
your grade. So, please make an effort to come to class with an awake and eager mind!
You won't learn if you don't bring your brain!
Three major exams shall be given in the duration of the semester. In addition weekly
reading quizzes shall be given on Thursday of each week at the beginning of class and
will cover the week's reading material. The lowest 2 of these quiz grades will be
dropped from your overall average. That is also your “extra credit.”
You are also required to complete a formal “Analysis Paper” on a specific text that will
be covered. Further information and instructions on this assignment will be given in the
first few weeks of class. The paper is due on May 3, 2007 which is also the last day of
class.
No pop quizzes. Yay!
Academic dishonesty is not acceptable and will be dealt with harshly. You are in college
and know what plagiarism means. If you are in doubt, consult you student handbook
(Section 23).
Grading
Your semester grade will be determined from an average of the following sources: Exam
1, Exam 2, Final Exam, Analysis Paper and the average of your weekly quiz grades (the
two lowest quiz grades are dropped).
Exam 1:
Exam 2:
Exam 3 (Final)
Weekly Reading Quiz (avg):
Analysis Paper:
Post-Test:
Class Participation:
Total Possible:
15%
15%
20%
20%
5%
5%
-----100%
20%
Course Schedule
Section headings for required readings below come from Tullock's The Old Testament
Story. As a reminder, reading quizzes will occur for the week's required readings every
Thursday. The schedule is subject to change, but you will be given ample warning if that
happens. Supplemental readings handed out in class will be made available on
http://www.harrelsonreligion.com.
Course Schedule
January
11 Course Intro; Pre-Test
16 1.1-1.4 What is the Old Testament?
18 1.5-2.0 Scholars and Archaeology
23 2.1-2.6 Geographical and Historical Context of the OT
25 3.1 Israel's Beginnings
30 3.2 Ancestors
February
1 4.1-4.8 Intro to The Exodus
6 4.9-4.12 The Exodus In-Depth
8 5.1-5.5 Joshua
13 5.1-5.5 Judges
15 EXAM 1
20 6.1-6.4 Samuel
22 6.5-6.6 Saul
27 6.7-6.9 David
March
1 7.1-7.3 David
6 7.4 Solomon
8 8.1-4 Northern Kingdom
13 Spring Break
15 Spring Break
20 8.5 8th Century Prophets
22 9.1-9.5 Judah
27 EXAM 2
29 9.6-9.7 Isaiah and Micah
April
3 10.1-10.3 Judah in Crisis
5 Easter Break
10 10.4 Last Days of Judah
12 11.1-11.3 The Fall and Immediate Aftermath
17 11.4-11.5 Strangers in a Strange Land
19 12.1-12.4 Post-Exilic Period
24 13.1-13.2 Wisdom and Psalms
26 14.1-3 Maccabean Period
May
1 15.0 Epilogue – Second Temple Period
3 Course Wrap-Up (Analysis Paper Due)
7-10 Exams
Support Services
Please use the library. Gardner-Webb University has a wonderfully large Religious
Studies knowledge base in Dover Library, and you will only grow as a student and a
person if you make use out of the resources there.
Additionally, the course blog is located at http://www.harrelsonreligion.com. There you
will find useful information and materials such as further readings, podcasts by the
professor and helpful hints and links.
For information about the writing lab and tutorial services, please contact me at your
convenience.
Special Needs- ADA Requirements
If you require accommodations for a special need, please contact the instructor. If the
need is visible, the instructor may go ahead with the accommodation then refer student to
the NOEL Program for the Disabled. If the need is not visible, first refer student to the
NOEL Program to clear request. Documentation from the student must be on file at the
NOEL House for special needs.
CMA (Christian Ministries Association)
All Religious Studies majors are required to attend 2 out of 3 meetings during the
semester. Dates will be posted.
Class Cancellations
If class is canceled, I will post a notice as soon as possible on
http://www.harrelsonreligion.com. Additionally, I will attempt to notify you by email. If
there is inclement weather, you can always contact me to see if our class is meeting.
When classes are canceled due to bad weather, you can find this information posted on
GWU's web site or call 1- 877-GWU-SNOW. Additionally, area radio -- especially the
university's radio station WGWG at 88.3 FM -- and TV stations will be notified of the
closing.
Evacuation Procedure
In the event of the need to evacuate the building, the professor will immediately and
quickly take roll (if not previously taken). Persons in the classroom will be directed in an
orderly fashion to the nearest building exit (indicated by posting in the hallway). Persons
will proceed to a gathering point previously designated by the professor (at last 300 feet
away from the building). The professor will once again take roll at the designated
gathering point. No one should enter the building until instructed by the University
Police or other designated personnel on off-campus sites.
Incomplete Grades
An ‘I’ grade may be assigned only when a small amount of coursework (i.e., test, project,
research paper, or final exam) is not complete. The reason for the incomplete work must
be of a serious nature and must be beyond the student’s control. The assigning of an ‘I’
grade must be accompanied by the completion of an ‘I’ Grade contract, with one copy
given to the student, one kept on file by the professor, and one submitted to the Associate
Provost within seven days after grades are submitted. The student must complete the
coursework by the date provided by the professor. The professor should submit the
change of grade form no later than 90 days after the last day of the term in which the ‘I’
grade was assigned, or earlier, as indicated below.
‘I’ Grade Contract
Student’s Full Name _____________________________________________________
Student’s ID# __________________________________________________________
Prefix/Number/Name of Course ____________________________________________
Term of Course _________________________________________________________
Statement of Circumstances leading to assigning ‘I’ grade _______________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Requirements for Removal of ‘I’ Grade:
Work to be completed (list each task)
Date Due