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REL/JST 315: Hebrew Bible (iCourse)

Spring 2020

Dr. Tim Langille

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 480-727-4026

that is ubiquitous in modern culture: films and literature invoke biblical imagery, and politicians and other

public figures use biblical authority in attempts to shape political discourse, public policy, laws, and

morality. But what does the Bible say? Who wrote it? In this course, we will explore how the many books

that make up the Hebrew Bible were produced, interpreted, selected, and arranged over several centuries

in ancient Israel and Judah. We also will consider the non-canonical texts that were written in the same

period as the canonized texts. How was the Bible read in the formative period out of which Judaism and

Christianity emerged? What light do non-canonical texts—like those of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Philo,

Josephus, and others—shed on the formation of biblical texts, canons, and traditions? In what ways are

ancient interpretive traditions still reflected in contemporary film and culture? How were sacred texts

performed, preserved, and transformed in Jewish antiquity? How did these texts become ‘sacred’ for

Israel, the history and ethics of interpretation, and their liturgical use. How have religious and non-

religious communities alike in antiquity and modernity read and interpreted these texts, from creation to

the Exodus, legal traditions, the history of ancient Israel, psalms and other poetry, and the prophets and

their calls for social justice? Students also will be introduced to the basic terms, concepts, methods, and

discourses of biblical studies. This course will broach methodological issues and problems—historical

and archaeological—in studying ancient Israel and the Hebrew Bible. Students will gain the ability to

critically read and engage both primary and secondary sources introduced throughout the course, as well

to think critically about the Bible in the media and popular culture today. No prior knowledge is required.

Required Course Materials

below)

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Recommended Course Materials

1) Adele Berlin and Marc Zvi Brettler, eds. 2003. The Jewish Study Bible. New York: Oxford University

Press. ISBN: 9780195297546.

*** Books are available at ASU Bookstores and online at Amazon.com. The supplementary readings listed below are for

student interest and resources only and can be accessed on the course website. They are not required readings***

take extensive notes (with quotes and page numbers) to bring with you to class. If you experience

difficulty with Canvas, please contact the ASU Help Desk, which is available 24/7 via live chat or phone

at 1-855-278-5080:

https://myasucourses.asu.edu/webapps/portal/execute/tabs/tabAction?tab_tab_group_id=_66_1.

Expectations, Policies, and Common Courtesy

Policy on Late Assignments and Missed Exams: Assignments are to be submitted on the due date.

Assignments submitted after the due date will count as late. Late assignments will be penalized 2% per

Courtesy on Canvas: This class requires participation, and I expect students to be respectful and engage

in civil discourse in online discussions.

Online Course: This is an online course. There are no face-to-face meetings. You can log into your course

via MyASU or https://my.asu.edu.

Email, Canvas, and Other Online Communication: Students are expected to write courteously and

coherently (no text-messaging abbreviations or slang). All individual communication with the professor

should be through asu.edu email addresses and include an appropriate subject line. I try to respond to

student emails as soon as possible. Students can expect a response to their emails within 48 hours,

period. In other words, please wait at least 24 hrs after having received your grade before you approach

me to discuss it. I return assignments as soon as possible. You can expect a two-week turnaround from

the date that you submit a paper or assignment to the date that it will be returned.

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Academic Integrity

Under the ASU Student Academic Integrity Policy (https://provost.asu.edu/academicintegrity) “each

student must act with honesty and integrity, and must respect the rights of others in carrying out all

academic assignments.” This policy also defines academic dishonesty and sets a process for faculty

members and colleges to sanction dishonesty. Violations of this policy fall into five broad areas that

include, but are not limited to:

• Cheating on an academic evaluation or assignment

I welcome any questions you may have concerning academic integrity and will do my best to help you

understand the standards of academic scholarship. I also sanction any incidents of academic dishonesty

in my courses using University and CLAS guidelines.

Plagiarism

https://provost.asu.edu/academicintegrity

Importantly, plagiarism includes the following:

· Submitting someone’s work in whole in or part in your name whether or not you know that person or

not, and whether you paid for the material or not.

· Submitting your own work from another course without disclosure (and instructor permission in

advance).

· Copying pages verbatim or in close paraphrase from published or unpublished material written by

someone else without properly using quotation marks and/or citing your source.

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Student Assessment

30%: Participation

Participation is required. Students are expected to participate in weekly online discussions. The

discussions will be in response to questions posted by the professor on Canvas. Discussion Board

comments are due at 11:59 PM every Sunday. Students will earn bonus points for responding to each other’s

comments.

20%: Book Review (Due Sunday, April 5 at 11:59 PM): Students will read and review Israel Finkelstein

and Neal Asher Silberman’s The Bible Unearthed: Archaeology’s New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Its

Sacred Texts. Dr. Langille will provide detailed instructions and expectations, as well as handouts about

how to review a book.

Grading Scale

A+ 95% to 100% B 75% to 79% C 60% to 64%

A 90% to 94% B- 70% to 74% D 55% to 59%

A- 85 to 89% C+ 65% to 69% E 0% to 54%

B+ 80% to 84%

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Schedule and Readings

Module 1 (January 13-17): Introduction to the Course, Syllabus, Bible and Biblical Studies

• Canonization and Ancient Interpretive Communities (Collins 365-69)

Primary Sources: Qohelet 12:9-14; Jubilees 45:14-15; 2 Maccabees 2:13-15; 4 Ezra 14:37-48;

Josephus, Against Apion 1.37-43 (Canvas)

Module 3 (January 27-31): The Ancient Near Eastern Context and Genesis Primeval Myth

• The Ancient Near Eastern Context (Collins 17-29)

Primary Sources: Excerpts from Atrahasis; Epic of Gilgamesh; Baal (Canvas)

• Documentary Hypothesis and Primeval History (Collins 31-49)

Primary Sources: Genesis 1-11

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Module 8 (March 2-6): The Omrides, Destruction of Samaria, the Kingdom of Judah, and the

Destruction of Jerusalem

• Ezra-Nehemiah (Collins 273-82)

Primary Sources: Ezra 1-6, 9-10; Nehemiah 8-13

Module 10 (March 23-27): Introduction to Prophecy: Hosea, First Isaiah, Jeremiah and

• Introduction to Prophecy: Hosea and First Isaiah (Collins 187-212, 248-50)

Primary Sources: Hosea 1-4; Isaiah 1, 6-9