B9610
Course Unit Outline
Unit Code
B9610
Unit Name
Israel’s Beginnings: the books of Genesis and Exodus.
Unit Weighting
9 credit points
Type of Unit
Specialised
Prerequisites, co-requisites or exclusions
18 Biblical Studies credit points
Academic Staff
Theron Young, BA (Miami, 1976), MA (T.E.D.S., 1979), MA (Wisconsin, 1986), PhD (Wisconsin,
1991). The faculty register lists all faculty accredited to teach this course unit.
Curriculum Objectives
This course unit builds on the basic knowledge and skills of the foundational Biblical Studies unit,
focusing in particular on the books of Genesis and Exodus, with special attention to their literary
forms, theological content and historical, cultural and religious setting.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
1. demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the biblical books that deal with Israel’s formative
period
2. show an awareness of recent secondary literature resources that discuss the books of Genesis
and Exodus
3. exhibit a perceptive understanding of the importance of the books of Genesis and Exodus for
Old Testament faith and Israelite identity
4. demonstrate well-developed skills in the exegesis of selected Old Testament texts
5. show a critical appreciation of Genesis and Exodus as expressions of Israel‘s faith in God's
action in history and of their application to Christian life and worship in the present era.
Threshold concept to be acquired in this unit
The books of Genesis and Exodus discuss the key historical and theological factors that contributed
to the formation of the ancient nation of Israel and that serve as the basis for religious and
theological concepts that continue to be developed throughout the entire Canon of Scripture.
Content
1. The historical, geographical, cultural, religious and political context of Israel’s formative period
as represented in the narratives of Genesis and Exodus
2. Characteristic literary forms and content of Genesis and Exodus
3. Exegesis of selected passages in the books of Genesis and Exodus
4. Aspects of the theology of Genesis and Exodus
Learning Activities
Lectures, tutorials, student presentations, seminars, DVD - in class and/or online
Required Specialist Facilities or Equipment
Nil
Assessment Profile
Assessment tasks are designed both to help students attain the unit outcomes and to enable
teachers to assess student attainment. In this unit, assessment of student achievement with
respect to the Unit Outcomes will be based on:
1. Critical review of a book that deals with historical, cultural, political, religious or theological
issues that are foundational to an understanding of Genesis and/or Exodus. [Outcomes 1 and
2]
2. Interpretive and exegetical essay of a selected passage from Genesis or Exodus using accepted
methodologies. [Outcomes 1, 2 and 4]
3. Analytical essay on either a key theological theme or critical issue of Genesis or Exodus.
[Outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 5]
Representative References
GENERAL
1. Albertz, R. A History of Israelite Religion in the Old Testament. 2 vols. Louisville:
Westminster/John Knox, 1994.
2. Alexander, T. Desmond & D. W. Baker (eds.) Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch.
Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2003.
3. Barton, J. The Biblical World. Vols 1 & 2. London: Routledge, 2002.
4. Steck, O.H. Old Testament Exegesis: A Guide to the Methodology. Atlanta: Scholars, 1995.
GENESIS
5. Fretheim, Terrence E. The Book of Genesis. The New Interpreter’s Bible, vol. 1. Nashville, TN:
Abingdon. 1994.
6. Hamilton, Victor P. The Book of Genesis, Chapters 1-17. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans,
1990.
7. Hamilton, Victor P. The Book of Genesis, Chapters 18-50. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans,
1995.
8. Sailhamer, John N. Genesis. Vol. 2, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Revised Edition. Grand
Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008.
9. Waltke, Bruce K. Genesis: A Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001.
10. Wenham, Gordon. Genesis 1-15. WBC, vol. 1. Dallas, TX: Word.
11. Wenham, Gordon. Genesis 16-50. WBC, vol. 2. Dallas, TX: Word.
EXODUS
12. Brueggemann, Walter. The Book of Exodus. The New Interpreter’s Bible, vol. 1. Nashville, TN:
Abingdon. 1994.
13. Durham, John I. Exodus. WBC, vol. 3. Dallas, TX: Word. 1987.
14. Enns, Peter. Exodus. NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000.
15. Kaiser, Walter C., Jr. Exodus. Vol. 2, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan, 2008.
PENTATEUCH
16. Blenkinsopp, J. The Pentateuch. New York: Doubleday, 1992.
17. Van Seters, J. The Pentateuch: A Social-Science Commentary. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic
Press, 1999.
18. Whybray, R. N. Introduction to the Pentateuch. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1995.
19. Wenham, G. A Guide to the Pentateuch. Exploring the Old Testament; Downers Grove:
Intervarsity Press, 2003.