Abstract: An introduction to major Biblical texts including Genesis, Exodus, Job, the prophetic and historic books of the Old Testament, and the Gospels and Epistles. Stresses the place of the Bible as foundation text for central religious, ethical, and political thinking. Comparative readings in related traditions, ancient, Near Eastern, and Middle Eastern. Investigation of the Bible as influence in later narrative, philosophic, and artistic traditions.
Abstract: This course examines the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) as an expression of the religious life and thought of ancient Israel, and a foundational document of Western civilization. A wide range of methodologies, including source criticism and the historical-critical school, tradition criticism, redaction criticism, and literary and canonical approaches are applied to the study and interpretation of the Bible. Special emphasis is placed on the Bible against the backdrop of its historical and cultural setting in the Ancient Near East.