Online SYLLABUS SECTION 1: BASICS, READINGS, OBJECTIVES … · 2019-11-22 · SYLLABUS SECTION 1:...

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BIBL 5230 OLD TESTAMENT 3: WISDOM & ISRAEL’S PRAISE

North Park Theological Seminary Syllabus

Online, Spring 2020

3 Credit Hours

SYLLABUS SECTION 1: BASICS, READINGS, OBJECTIVES

I. INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

J. Nathan Clayton, PhD, Old Testament Teaching Fellow

E-mail: [email protected] (best contact method)

Office: Nyvall 26

Office phone: (773) 244-5266; cell phone: (847) 971-4544

II. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will explore the poetic traditions of psalms and wisdom, beginning with Israel’s origins and

continuing through the united monarchy, exile, and return. The course will also include an introduction to

Hebrew language, concepts, and digital tools. Includes: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel; Job,

Psalms, and Proverbs, Songs, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Ezra-Nehemiah, 1 and 2 Chronicles,

and Hebrew language. The power and passion of the books we will examine together are essential parts of

the Scripture to which 2 Timothy 3:16 refers. As such, affirming these 16 Old Testament books as a

fundamental part of God’s revealed and authoritative Word represents a key value in the approach of this

course.

III. TEXTS—READINGS

Required—students need to have a copy of the following books at hand for the course:

An English Bible is required. You may choose your preferred translation. I usually read form the NIV or

ESV.

Brueggemann, Walter. The Psalms and the Life of Faith. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1995.

Estes, Daniel J. Handbook on the Wisdom Books and Psalms. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2005.

Goh, Samuel T. S. The Basics of Hebrew Poetry: Theory and Practice. Eugene, OR: Cascade,

2017. Note: chapters 1-4 are required reading; chapters 5-7 are optional reading.

Hamilton, Victor P. Handbook on the Historical Books. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001. (chapters on 1-2

Kings are not required)

Provan, Ian, V. Philips Long and Tremper Longman III. A Biblical History of Israel. Second

Edition. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2015. Note: chapters 1-5 are required reading;

chapters 6-12 are optional reading.

The following is also required reading and these essays and chapters will be posted on Canvas:

Pratico, Gary D., and Miles V. Van Pelt. Basics of Biblical Hebrew: Grammar. Second Edition. Grand

Rapids: Zondervan, 2007. Chapters 1 & 2 only

“Weeping for Zion (Lamentations),” pages 216-230 in Robert Chisholm, Handbook on the

Prophets. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002.

Lefevbre, Michael. “’On His Law He Meditates’: What is Psalms 1 Introducing?” Journal for the Study of

the Old Testament 40 (2016): 439-450.

Whiting, Mark J. “Psalms 1 and 2 as a Hermeneutical Lens for Reading the Psalter.” Evangelical

Quarterly 85 (2013): 246-262.

Adamo, David Tuesday. “The Significance of Psalm 121 in an African Context.” Journal for Semitics 26

(2017): 33-46.

Croatto, J. Severino, “Psalm 23:1-6: A Latin American Perspective,” and, Moon, Cyris H. S. “Psalm

23:1-6: An Asian Perspective,” in Return to Babel: Global Perspectives on the Bible. Edited by

Priscilla Pope-Levison and John R. Levison. Louisville, KY: Westminster John

mailto:[email protected]

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Knox, 1999.

Hunter, Jannie H. “The Song of Protest: Reassessing the Song of Song.” Journal for the Study of the Old

Testament 90 (2000): 109-124. “The Formation of Character in Proverbs” and “The Deformation of Character: Job 1-31” in William P.

Brown. Character in Crisis: A Fresh Approach to the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament.

Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.

Helpful:

Arnold. Bill T., and H. G. M. Williamson, editors. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical

Books. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005.

Beitzel, Barry J. The New Moody Atlas of the Bible. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2009.

Birch, Bruce C., Walter Brueggemann, Terrence E. Fretheim, and David L. Peterson. A

Theological Introduction to the Old Testament. Second edition. Nashville: Abingdon,

2005.

Freedman, D. N., editor. Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000.

Hess, Richard S. The Old Testament: A Historical, Theological, and Critical Introduction. Grand

Rapids: Baker, 2016.

Kitchen, K. A. On the Reliability of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003.

Longman III, Tremper. Old Testament Commentary Survey. 5th edition. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2013.

Longman III, Tremper, and Peter Enns, editors. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom,

Poetry & Writings. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2008.

Vanhoozer, Kevin J. Dictionary for the Theological Interpretation of the Bible. Grand Rapids:

Baker, 2005.

IV. LEARNING OUTCOMES

The major North Park Theological Seminary degree learning outcomes this course intends to address are:

MACF: “Interpret Scripture with historical and theological integrity in relation to

Christian formation.”

MACM: “Interpret Scripture with historical and theological integrity in relation to one’s

ministry.”

MATS: “Interpret Scripture with historical and theological integrity for diverse

communities and contexts.”

MDIV: “Interpret Scripture with historical and theological integrity for diverse churches,

communities, and contexts.”

V. IDEA OBJECTIVES

North Park University uses the IDEA course rating system to measure student progress towards learning

objectives and to measure student satisfaction with their overall learning experience. These course

evaluations are administered at the end of the term and you will be notified by email when they are ready

for you to complete. The results of these evaluations are very important to us and we use them for

ongoing efforts to improve the quality of our courses. The overarching IDEA objectives for this course

are as follows:

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SYLLABUS SECTION 2: COURSE OBJECTIVES & ASSESSMENTS, GRADING

I. COURSE-LEVEL LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Students will identify 30 key Old Testament words in Biblical Hebrew.

[Knowledge]

2. Students will describe the main historical periods and the geographical areas of ancient Israel relevant

to the study of each Old Testament book covered in this course.

[Knowledge]

3. Students will identify the major issues for interpreting Old Testament historical and poetic texts.

[Knowledge, Comprehension]

4. Students will outline the literary structure of the 16 Old Testament books covered in this course.

[Knowledge, Comprehension]

5. Students will summarize and review the standard elements of historical contexts, canonical contexts

and theological implications for each of the 16 Old Testament books covered in this course.

[Comprehension, Application]

6. Students will evaluate a scholarly analysis of key interpretive issues in the book of Psalms and apply

this evaluation to a church ministry context.

[Application, Analysis, Evaluation]

7. Students will compose a graduate level research paper that (1) analyzes a specific text in Joshua or

Psalms, (2) evaluates various scholarly opinions of this text, and (3) formulates a practical preaching

outline for this text.

[Synthesis, Evaluation]

II. COURSE ASSESSMENTS IN BRIEF

The specific course objectives noted above will be assessed through the following 7 assessment methods:

1. Quizzes:

Student will take 5 quizzes during the early weeks of the course to solidify learning of foundational

course content.

[Course Objectives 1-3; Knowledge, Comprehension]

2. Weekly Discussion Posts:

For most weeks of the course, students will post their own online entry in response to a prompt by

midnight Sunday of that week, and by midnight Monday of the following week, students will post a

response to at least one other student’s post from that previous week.

[Course Objectives 1-5, Knowledge, Comprehension, Application]

3. Reading Journal:

For each reading journal entry, students will first report how much of the weekly reading they completed.

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Also, for the readings assigned for each course week, students will write a 250-300 word response,

highlighting some salient points from the readings and applying them directly to the students’ current

ministry context. The purpose of this assignment is to enable students to apply some of the key issues

raised in their reading for this course to their various ministry settings.

The first half of the reading journal will be due by midnight Sunday, 2/23 (end of week 7) and the

second half of the reading journal will be due by midnight Sunday, 5/3 (end of week 15).

[Course Objective 5; Comprehension, Application]

4 & 5: Midterm Exam and Final Exam:

Students will take a midterm exam, covering the lecture material from the first half of the course, and a

final exam, covering the lecture material from the second half of the course (so, the final is not

comprehensive).

Both of these exams will test the students’ knowledge of: (a) the main historical periods, (b) the key

geographical areas, (c) the basic literary structure, and (d) the major interpretive issues of the 16 OT

books covered in this course.

A detailed study guide for both exams will be provided.

[Course Objectives 1-5, Knowledge, Comprehension, Application]

6. Review Paper:

Students will write a review paper on a chapter from The Psalms and the Life of Faith by Brueggemann.

The instructor will assign each student a chapter to review.

[Course Objective 6; Application, Analysis, Evaluation]

7. Final Exegetical Paper:

Students will compose a final exegetical paper, the final draft of which will be due at the end of the

course. Students may pick to work on biblical passage in Joshua or Psalms. The main goals of this paper

are to provide a close analysis of an OT text, to evaluate various scholarly opinions on this text and to

reflect practically on the use of the passage in teaching and preaching in the church.

This paper will developed in stages and the instructor will provide feedback at each stage.

[Course Objectives 4 & 5, Analysis, Synthesis and Evaluation]

GRADING

The final grade for this course will be computed according to the following percentages:

1. Quizzes: 5%

2. Weekly Discussion Posts 10%

3. Reading Journal: 15%

4. Midterm Exam: 20%

5. Final Exam 20%

6. Review Paper: 10%

7. Final Exegetical Paper 20%

Late written assignments will be marked down by 2% per day, late readings cannot be made up for credit.

The North Park Theological Seminary grading scale is as follows:

A 95-100

A- 93-94

B+ 91-92

B 88-90

B- 84-85

C+ 84-85

C 80-83

C- 78-79

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D+ 76-77

D 72-75

D- 70-71

F 0-69

III. COURSE ASSESSMENTS IN DETAIL

1. Quizzes: 5% of final grade

Students will take 5 online quizzes during the early weeks of the course. Each quiz will consist of 10

questions (True/False, Multiple Choice, Matching, and/or Fill in the Blank) and each quiz will have an

online practice, review Quizlet. Each quiz is worth 10 points (so 1 points for question

a. Quiz 1: by Sunday 1/19, midnight—on the 5 archaeological periods of the OT

b. Quizzes 2 & 3: by Sunday 1/26, midnight—on the Hebrew vowels (2) and on the Hebrew

consonants (3).

c. Quiz 4: by Sunday 2/1, midnight—on the 30 key Hebrew words.

d. Quiz 5: by Sunday 3/16, midnight—on the basics of OT poetry.

2. Weekly Discussion Posts & Responses: 10% of final grade

a. By the end of most weeks of the online courses (so midnight Sunday), student should post one

entry in response to the weekly only discussion prompt given by the instructor.

b. This initial discussion post should be between 300 & 350 words and directly address the issue

or issues in the prompt given by the instructor.

c. Each student will also provide a short response to at least one other student entry by Monday,

midnight, following the week any discussion entry is required. This short response to another student’s

entry should between 125 & 150 words.

d. The student should refer to the syllabus schedule below and the weekly Canvas discussion

prompts for further details on these discussion posts. The hope is that further fruitful discussion will

develop beyond the required posts, guided by the instructor.

In total students will write 14 graded discussion posts and responses (7 for weeks 1-7 and 7 for

weeks 9-15)

e. Each online student discussion post & response will be graded by the instructor following this

grading rubric (these graded responses will be given to students by midnight Sunday following the week

of the original student post):

Grading Rubric: 1 Weekly Discussion Post & Response

Initial Student Post: Points

Possible

Is the initial student post between 300 & 350

words?

Yes

20 pts.

Getting there

1-19 pts

Not at all

0 pts. /20

Does the initial student post respond

substantively to the issue or issues posed in

the instructor’s prompt?

Yes

40 pts.

Partially

1-39 pts.

No

0 pts. /40

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Response to One Other Student Post: Points

Possible

Is the response to another student’s post

between 125-150 words?

Yes

10 pts.

Getting there

1-9 pts.

Not at all

0 pts. /10

Does the response to another student’s post Yes

20 pts.

Partially

1-19 pts.

No

0 pts. /20

TOTAL:

/ 90 points

3. Reading Journal: 15%

a. For each week of the course that readings are due, write one reading journal entry. At the

beginning of each entry, the student should what percentage of the weekly reading was completed.

The first half of the reading journal is due by midnight, Sunday 3/1 (end of week 7). This

should include 7 separates entries for weeks 1-7. Feedback from the instructor will be

given by midnight, Sunday, 3/8.

The second half of the reading journal is due by midnight, Sunday 5/1 (end of week 15).

This should include 7 separate entries for week 9-15. Feedback from the instructor will

be given by midnight, Sunday, 5/10.

b. Instructions:

For each journal entry, write between 350 and 400 words. Each journal entry should

engage all of the non-Bible reading or readings for that week.

Each reading will be graded on a 30 point scale.

For each journal entry:

o Provide the basic bibliographic information for any and all readings.

o Focus briefly on two main issues for each reading journal entry:

1. Engage the reading(s) critically: What is the hermeneutical outlook of each

author? How does each author relate to the Canonical Scriptures (and the

OT/Pentateuch, specifically) as the final, divine authority for Christian theology

and practice? What weaknesses and/or strengths do you perceive? Etc.

2. Engage the reading(s) practically: How does this reading help you in your

preparation for the teaching and preaching of Scripture (and the Pentateuch

specifically) in the ministry of the church? What would be helpful for practical

ministry? Etc.

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c. Grading rubrics:

Grading Rubric for One Reading Journal Entry (30 points possible)

Criteria Ratings Possible Points

Did the student

complete all of

the required

weekly

readings?

10 pts

Yes, completely

6-9 pts.

Yes, mostly

1-5 pts.

Only partially

0 pts

No

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Does the entry

clearly cover all

of the readings

and does it show

critical

engagement with

the views of the

author(s)

10 pts

Yes, completely

6-9 pts.

Yes, mostly

1-5 pts.

Only partially

0 pts

No

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Does the entry

show a practical

reflection for

implications in

Christian

service/ministry?

10 pts

Yes, completely

6-9 pts.

Yes, mostly

1-5 pts.

Only partially

0 pts

No

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3 & 4. Midterm Exam and Final Exam: 40% total of final grade

a. Midterm Exam: 20% of final grade

A midterm exam study guide will be posted from the beginning of the course. You will

find it under “Week 7: Midterm Exam (3/2-3/8)”

Students should complete the study guide during week 7 in time to also take the midterm

exam by the end of week 7

The study guide will cover the lecture material, and some key issues from the readings,

from the first half of the course: Introductory issues, Hebrew vowels, consonants, key

words; Joshua through Esther.

The midterm exam should be taken online by Sunday 3/22, midnight. Allow up to 2

hours to take the midterm, without notes (an unmarked Bible is allowed for section 2)

The midterm exam will consist of two sections: (1) an objective section, 50%, no notes

or Bible allowed (multiple choice, true/false, short answer), (2) an essay section, 50%:

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students will choose to write on one text from Joshua - Esther, from a choice of several

given, by responding to specific questions in an essay format. This short essay should be

between 900 and 1000 words.

b. Final Exam: 20% of final grade

A final exam study guide will be posted by the beginning of the course. You will find it

under “Week 16: Final Exam & Final Paper (5/4-5/10)

Students should complete the study guide during week 16 in time to also take the

midterm exam by the end of week 16.

The study guide will cover the lecture material, and some key issues from the readings,

from the second half of the course: Introduction to OT poetry, Job through Song of Songs

(so: not comprehensive)

The final exam should be taken online by Sunday 5/10, midnight. Allow up to 2 hours to

take the final, without notes (an unmarked Bible is allowed for section 2)

The final exam will consist of two sections: (1) an objective section, 50%, no notes or

Bible allowed (multiple choice, true/false, short answer), (2(2) an essay section, 50%:

students will choose to write on one text from Job – Song of Songs, from a choice of

several given, by responding to specific questions in an essay format. This short essay

should be between 900 and 1000 words.

c. Grading rubrics:

Grading Rubric for Essay Section of Midterm and Final Exams (50 points total)

Criteria Ratings Possible Points

Is the essay

written clearly,

with good

grammar,

spelling and

organization?

8-10 pts

Yes, completely

6-7 pts

Yes, mostly

1-5 pts

Only partially

0 pts

No

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Grading Rubric for Objective Section of Midterm and Final Exams (50 points total)

Points earned 45-50 points 40-44 points 35-39 points 34 points and below

Passing/Non-

Passing Levels Excellent Good Passing Not passing

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Does the essay

address the

relevant

contextual

elements of the

passage?

8-10 pts

Yes, completely

6-7 pts

Yes, mostly

1-5 pts

Only partially

0 pts

No

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Does the essay

identify the key

theme of the

passage and the

literary

development of

this key theme?

8-10 pts

Yes, completely

6-7 pts

Yes, mostly

1-5 pts

Only partially

0 pts

No

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Does the essay

effectively

address how the

passage fits into

its larger OT

book?

8-10 pts

Yes, completely

6-7 pts

Yes, mostly

1-5 pts

Only partially

0 pts

No

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Does the essay

effectively

address how the

passage connects

to at least one or

two broader

biblical themes?

8-10 pts

Yes, two themes

are addressed

6-7 pts

Only one theme

is addressed

1-5 pts

Only one theme

is addressed

partially

0 pts

No

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5. Review Paper: 10% of final grade

a. Due dates:

By end of week 3, the instructor will assign a chapter for each student in Brueggemann’s

The Psalms and the Life of Faith.

By Sunday, midnight, 3/8 (end of week 8): read all of Brueggemann’s The Psalms and

the Life of Faith.

By Sunday, midnight, 4/5 (end of Week 11): submit review paper, (feedback from

instructor by end of Week 12)

b. Instructions:

Generally: Make good use of the library. Steven Spencer, Theological Librarian

([email protected]) can assist in your research. Use good style; allow yourself

time to re-read and edit your work often. Developing good written (and oral)

communication skills is an important part of faithfully strengthening your calling to

Christian ministry.

Carefully read all of Brueggemann’s The Psalms and the Life of Faith.

Write a review paper of one chapter in Brueggemann (assigned to you by the instructor),

following these guidelines:

o In a Word document, use 1 inch margins and 12 pt. Times New Roman font.

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o Write at least 6 pages and no more than 8.

o Follow the general writing and formatting guidelines in the NPTS Writing

Expectations and Strategies (and the Seminary Writing Handbook at

https://www.northpark.edu/wp-content/uploads/Writing-Handbook-2017-

2018.pdf.)

o NOTE: for this paper, do not use footnotes, but use simple in-text (Author,

page #) parenthetical bibliographic references—like this: (Brueggemann, 439)

cite the book fully at the end of your paper.

o Follow this outline for the paper:

Brief introduction

Part 1: 3-4 pages; provide a fair and clear summary of the author’s thesis

and argument in the chapter. The goal here is to fairly summarize for

your reader what the author himself is actually saying/arguing. Is there a

key main point/thesis? How is this thesis/main point developed? Etc

Part 2: 3-4 pages; provide your critical evaluation of the author’s thesis

and argument. What is clear/unclear? Is any part of the author’s

argument particularly strong or weak? Why? What is helpful/unhelpful

for further exegetical/theological reflection? Is there anything in the

essay that is particularly applicable for practical ministry considerations?

Brief conclusion

c. Grading rubric:

Quiz Grading Rubric for Review Paper (50 points total)

Criteria Ratings Possible

Points

Is the essay

written clearly,

with good

grammar,

spelling, and

style?

8-10 pts

Yes,

completely

6-7 pts

Yes, mostly

1-5 pts

Only partially

0 pts

No

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Does the essay

carefully follow

all of the

formatting

instructions

(margins, font,

page number,

citations,

structure/outline)

8-10 pts

Yes,

completely

6-7 pts

Yes, mostly

1-5 pts

Only partially

0 pts

No

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https://www.northpark.edu/wp-content/uploads/Writing-Handbook-2017-2018.pdf

https://www.northpark.edu/wp-content/uploads/Writing-Handbook-2017-2018.pdf

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Does the essay

fairly summarize

the view of the

author?

8-10 pts

Yes,

completely

6-7 pts

Yes, mostly

1-5 pts

Only partially

0 pts

No

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Does the essay

present an

effective critical

review of the

author?

8-10 pts

Yes,

completely

6-7 pts

Yes, mostly

1-5 pts

Only partially

0 pts

No

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Does the essay

present the

student’s own

views (including

practical

ministry

reflections) in an

effective and

clear manner?

8-10 pts

Yes,

completely

6-7 pts

Yes, mostly

1-5 pts

Only partially

0 pts

No

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6. Final Exegetical Paper: 20% of final grade (out of a 100 point grade)

Each student, in consultation with the instructor, will choose a passage either in Joshua (historical book)

or in the Psalms (poetic book) to work on for a final exegetical chapter. The paper will be developed in

stages and the final version will be due at the end of the course.

a. Due date: in stages

i. By Sunday, midnight, 3/22 (end of Week 9) 1-2 pages: Stage 1 of final paper

due: this should include what text(s) you have chosen, a working thesis

statement, a rough outline for the paper and a short, beginning bibliography (at

least 4-5 key sources [peer-reviewed])

ii. By Sunday, 4/19 (end of Week 13): Stage 2 of final paper due: this is a full,

rough draft of the paper, 10-12 pages, plus bibliography. Feedback given by

instructor by the end of Week 14.

iii. By Sunday, 5/10 (end of Week 16): Stage 3 of final paper due: this is the final

draft.

b. Basic format: double spaced, Times New Roman 12 point font (10 point font for

footnotes), 1 inch margins, 10-12 pages, plus bibliography.

Follow the detailed writing and formatting guidelines in the NPTS Writing Expectations

and Strategies (and the Seminary Writing Handbook, see link above)

Document your sources following Turabian 8th edition: footnotes with a final

bibliography. Be mindful of plagiarism.

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You should interact with at least 10 different peer-reviewed sources: commentaries,

monographs, journal articles, theological/exegetical dictionary articles, essays, etc. All

sources should be peer-reviewed, academic sources. Critically engage with sources from

differing points of view and methodologies.

Also, note the Biblical Faculty exegetical paper grading rubric, which will be my

basic guide for grading these papers (posted on Canvas).

c. Purpose of the paper: to do a close, exegetical reading of a chosen specific passage in the

Historical books or the Poetic/Wisdom books covered in OT 3 and apply it to a specific

teaching/preaching context.

d. Structure of the final paper:

i. Introduction: give the rationale for your choice of passage(s). Provide a clear and

falsifiable thesis that will guide the whole argument of the paper. Show your

reader in the introduction how the body of the paper will specifically develop

your chosen thesis.

ii. Section 1: provide a close analysis of the passage(s) under examination. Refer to

multiple English versions in your analysis and try to get at any underlying

Hebrew grammatical issues via the commentaries etc.

What is the key theme of the passage? What is the literary structure of the

passage? How is the passage/argument developed? What exegetical issues have

arisen in your study that need addressed: historical, grammatical, theological?

What are some key scholarly positions on this passage?

Show you reader that you are aware of the key exegetical issues in your text and

that you are engaging with the major points of view on these issues. Make a

decision on these issues.

iii. Section 2: how does your passage then relate/contribute to the ongoing argument

of the OT book in which it is located? What key larger issues does the passage

connect into? How does it fit in the book?

iv. Section 3: (shortest section) what larger OT and NT canonical issues does your

study contribute to? Are any specific ministry issues/implications addressed by

your study? Briefly: how you would go about teaching or preaching this passage

in a ministry context. What would be you intended audience? What would be the

main teaching/preaching idea? How would you outline your presentation to be

faithful to the intent of the biblical text?

v. Conclusion: draw your reader’s attention back to your basic thesis and very

briefly summarize how you have developed this thesis in your paper.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

In keeping with our Christian heritage and commitment, North Park University is committed to the

highest possible ethical and moral standards. Just as we will constantly strive to live up to these high

standards, we expect our students to do the same. To that end, cheating of any sort will not be tolerated.

Students who are discovered cheating will receive a failing grade on the assignment and are subject to

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discipline up to and including failure of a course and expulsion. Our definition of cheating includes but is

not limited to:

1. Plagiarism – the use of another’s work as one’s own without giving credit to the individual. This

includes using materials from the internet.

2. Copying another’s answers on an examination.

3. Deliberately allowing another to copy one’s answers or work.

4. Signing an attendance roster for another who is not present.

5. Not accurately reporting the amount of reading completed.

For additional information, see the Seminary Academic Catalog, pp. 25–27.

INCOMPLETE POLICY

If, due to extenuating circumstances (specifically: pregnancy, illness, personal and family issues, or

military assignment), a student anticipates she will be unable to complete course work within the allotted

time, that student must submit the request form for a grade of incomplete to the course instructor before

the last week of class clearly stating the reason(s) for this request. Overscheduling and/or lack of self-

discipline are not considered extenuating circumstances. If the request is timely and meets the criteria,

the grade for that class will be listed as “I” until the last day of the following semester. If coursework is

not submitted by the last day of the following semester the listing of “I” will automatically be changed to

“F.”

ACCOMMODATIONS

Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to

contact their program's office (773-244-5619) as soon as possible to ensure accommodations are

implemented in a timely manner. For further information, see Seminary Catalog, p. 17 and “Disability

Resources” provided through North Park’s Office of Student Enrichment Services and Support.

TITLE IX

Students who believe they have been harassed, discriminated against, or involved in sexual violence

should contact the Dean of Students (773-244-5565) or Director of Human Resources (773-244-5599) for

information about campus resources and support services, including confidential counseling services. As

a member of the North Park faculty, we are concerned about the well-being and development of our

students, and are available to discuss any concerns.

Faculty are legally obligated to share information with the University’s Title IX coordinator in certain

situations to help ensure that the student’s safety and welfare is being addressed, consistent with the

requirements of the law. These disclosures include but are not limited to reports of sexual assault,

relational/domestic violence, and stalking.

Please refer to North Park’s Safe Community site for contact information and further details.

https://www.northpark.edu/seminary/academics/seminary-catalog

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SYLLABUS SECTION 3:

COURSE SCHEDULE FOR OT 3 ONLINE

Week 1: Introduction and Hebrew Alphabet

Monday 1/13—Sunday 1/19

Topics:

1. Introduction to the course

2. Introduction to OT history and geography

3. Introduction to the interpretation of OT historical texts

4. Hebrew consonants and vowels

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify and name the 22 Hebrew consonants.

2. Identify and name all Hebrew vowels, in all 4 classes (long, short, reduced, historically long)

3. Identify the 5 main archaeological periods of Syria-Palestine and the relationship to ancient Israel’s 5

main historical periods

4. Identify the major features of ancient Israel’s geography.

5. Identify the major issues for interpreting Old Testament historical texts.

Assignments Due—by Sunday 1/19 midnight:

1. Complete readings: Provan, Long, and Longman III, A Biblical History of Israel, chs. 1-5; Pratico &

Van Pelt, Basics of Biblical Hebrew Grammar, ch. 1.

2. Watch the weekly video lectures.

3. Take notes on the lectures with the lecture outlines.

4. Complete reading journal response 1.

5. Complete your Week 1 discussion post.

6. Review Hebrew consonants and the 5 main archaeological periods of the OT with Quizlet.

7. Take graded quiz 1 on the 5 main archaeological periods of the OT.

By Monday, 1/20 midnight:

1. Respond substantively to at least one other student discussion post from Week 1.

Week 2: Joshua, 30 Hebrew Key Words & Review Paper


Topics:

1. The Book of Joshua: Beginning Life in the Land

2. 30 Hebrew Key Words

3. Introduction to the review paper


1. Describe the main historical period(s) and geographical area(s) of ancient Israel relevant to the study of

the book of Joshua.

2. Outline the literary structure of the book of Joshua.

3. Summarize and review the standard elements of historical contexts, canonical contexts and theological

implications for the book of Joshua.

4. Read and translate 30 key OT Hebrew words.

5. Explain the features of an effective scholarly review paper.

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Assignments due—by Sunday 1/26 midnight:

1. Complete readings: Joshua (biblical text) & Hamilton, Handbook on the Historical Books, ch. on

Joshua.

Optional “value-added” reading: Provan, Long, and Longman III, A Biblical History of Israel, chapter 7

“The Settlement of the Land”





6. Review Hebrew vowels with Quizlet

7. Take graded quizzes 2 (Hebrew consonants) & 3 (Hebrew vowels).

By Monday, 1/27 midnight:


Week 3: Judges and Ruth, Final Paper Introduction


Topics:

1. The Books of Judges and Ruth: Sin and Hope in the Land

2. Introduction to the final research paper



the book of Judges and Ruth

2. Outline the literary structure of the book of Judges and Ruth.


implications for the book of Judges and Ruth.

Assignments Due—by Sunday 2/1, midnight:

1. Complete readings: Judges & Ruth (biblical text) & Hamilton, Handbook on the Historical Books, chs.

on Joshua and Ruth.





6. Review Hebrew key words with Quizlet.

7. Take graded quiz 4 on Hebrew key words.

By Monday 2/2, midnight:


Week 4: 1 Samuel


Topic:

1. The book of 1 Samuel: Samuel and Saul in the Land

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Learning objectives:


the book of 1 Samuel.

2. Outline the literary structure of the book of 1 Samuel.


implications for the book of 1 Samuel.


1. Complete readings: 1 Samuel (biblical text) & Hamilton, Handbook on the Historical Books, ch. on 1

Samuel.







Week 5: 2 Samuel


Topic:

1. The Book of 2 Samuel: Saul and David in the Land


1. Describe the main historical period(s) and geographical area(s) of ancient Israel relevant to the study

of the book of 2 Samuel.

2. Outline the literary structure of the book of 2 Samuel.


implications for the book of 2 Samuel.


1. Complete readings: 2 Samuel (biblical text) & Hamilton, Handbook on the Historical Books, ch. on 2

Samuel.







Week 6: 1-2 Chronicles


Topic:

1. The Books of 1-2 Chronicles: A Summative Statement of Israel’s History

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the books of 1-2 Chronicles.

2. Outline the literary structure of the books of 1-2 Chronicles.


implications for the books of 1-2 Chronicles.


1. Complete readings: 1-2 Chronicles (biblical text) & Hamilton, Handbook on the Historical Books, ch.

on 1-2 Chronicles







Week 7: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther & Reading Journal (1)


Topics:

1. The Books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther: Israel’s Post-Exilic History

2. Reading Journal: Weeks 1-7



the books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther.

2. Outline the literary structure of the books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther.


implications for the books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther.


1. Complete readings: Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther (biblical text) & Hamilton, Handbook on the Historical

Books, chs. on Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther.





6. Submit Reading Journal for Weeks 1-7 (feedback from instructor by end of week 8)



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Week 8: Midterm Exam


Topics:

1. Review for Midterm Exam

2. Take Midterm Exam

3. Read for Review Paper


1. Midterm Exam Review: identify all Hebrew consonants, vowels, and 30 key Hebrew words.

2. Midterm Exam Review: describe the main historical periods and geographical areas of ancient Israel

related to the study of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther.

2. Midterm Exam Review: Identify the major issues for interpreting Old Testament historical texts.

3. Midterm Exam Review: summarize and review the standard elements of historical context, canonical

context and theological implications for the books of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2

Chronicles,

Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther.

4. Evaluate a scholarly analysis of key interpretive issues in the book of Psalms and apply this evaluation

to a church ministry context—step 1: read Brueggemann’s Psalms and the Life of Faith.

By midnight Sunday 3/8:

1. Complete the study guide for the midterm exam.

2. Take the midterm exam: (a) objective section, and (b) essay.

3. Complete the reading of the Brueggemann book, in preparation for the review paper.

Reading Week:

Monday 3/9-3/15—No scheduled assignments

Week 9: OT Poetry & Final Paper (Stage 1)


Topics:

1. Introduction to OT Poetry

2. Final Research Paper: Stage 1


1. Identify the major issues for interpreting Old Testament poetic texts.

2. Create a research paper—Stage 1: (a) choose a biblical text from Joshua or Psalms, (b) write a working

thesis and rough outline, (c) develop a first step bibliography (10-12 peer-reviewed sources [journal

articles, monographs, essays, commentaries]).


1. Complete readings: Samuel Goh, The Basics of Hebrew Poetry: Theory and Practice, chapters 1-4:

1 “Hebrew Poetry: The Art of Versification,” 2 “Parallelism,” 3 “Meter and Hebrew Poetry,” 4

“Figurative Language.”





6. Review major issues interpreting OT poetic texts with Quizlet.

7. Take graded quiz 5.

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8. Submit the first stage project of the final research paper (text chosen, working thesis, rough outline,

first bibliography; feedback from instructor by end of Week 10).


1. Respond substantively to at least one other student discussion post from Week 9

Week 10: Job


Topic:

1. The book of Job: Suffering in the Covenant Community



the book of Job.

2. Outline the literary structure of the book of Job.


implications for the book of Job.


1. Complete readings: Job (biblical text), Estes, Handbook on the Wisdom Books and Psalms, chapter on

Job.







Week 11: Psalms (1)


Topics:

1. The Book of Psalms (1): Language for All Seasons of the Soul

2. Review Paper



the book of Psalms.

2. Outline the literary structure of the book of Psalms.


implications for the book of Psalms (I): “The Psalms as Language for All Seasons of the Soul.”

4. Compose, submit and discuss a review paper on a chapter of Brueggemann’s Psalms and the Life of

Faith


1. Complete readings: Psalms 1-72 (biblical text), Estes, Handbook on the Wisdom Books and Psalms,

chapter section Pss. 1-72; Lefevbre, Michael. “’On His Law He Meditates’: What is Psalms 1

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Introducing?”; Whiting, Mark J. “Psalms 1 and 2 as a Hermeneutical Lens for Reading the

Psalter.”

Value-added optional reading: Samuel Goh, The Basics of Hebrew Poetry: Theory and Practice,

chapter 1 “Poetic Analysis and Interpretation of Psalm 1.”





6. Submit Review Paper (feedback from instructor by end of Week 12).



Week 12: The Book of Psalms (2)

Monday 4/6 —Sunday 4/12

Topics:

1. The Book of Psalms (2): Major Types and Canonical Shaping



the book of Psalms.

2. Outline the literary structure of the book of Psalms.


implications for the book of Psalms (II): Psalm Types and Canonical Shaping of the Psalter.


1. Complete readings: Psalms 73-150 (biblical text); Estes, Handbook on the Wisdom Books and Psalms,

chapter section on Pss. 73-150; Adamo, David Tuesday. “The Significance of Psalm 121 in an

African Context”; Croatto, J. Severino, “Psalm 23:1-6: A Latin American Perspective,” and,

Moon, Cyris H. S. “Psalm 23:1-6: An Asian Perspective,” in Return to Babel: Global

Perspectives on the Bible,







Week 13: Proverbs & Final Paper (Stage 2)


Topics:

1. The Book of Proverbs: Israel’s Wisdom

2. Final Research Paper: Stage 2

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the book of Proverbs.

2. Review and respond to the literary structure of the book of Proverbs.

3. Review and respond to the standard elements of historical contexts, canonical contexts and theological

implications for the book of Proverbs.

4. Create a final research paper—stage 2: compose and submit a full rough draft.


1. Complete readings: Proverbs (biblical text); Estes, Handbook on the Wisdom Books and Psalms,

chapter on Proverbs; “The Formation of Character in Proverbs” and “The Deformation of

Character: Job 1-31” in William P. Brown. Character in Crisis: A Fresh Approach to the Wisdom

Literature of the Old Testament.





6. Submit rough draft of your final research paper.



Week 14: Lamentations and Ecclesiastes


Topic:

1. The Books of Lamentations and Ecclesiastes: Israel’s Suffering and Questioning



implications for the books of Lamentations and Ecclesiastes.

2. Create a final research paper—stage 2: compose and submit a full rough draft.


1. Complete readings: Lamentations & Ecclesiastes (biblical text); Estes, Handbook on the Wisdom Books

and Psalms, chapter Ecclesiastes; Chisholm, “Weeping for Jerusalem—Lamentations”

Optional value-added reading: Samuel Goh, The Basics of Hebrew Poetry: Theory and Practice,

chapter 6, “Poetic Analysis and Interpretation of Ecclesiastes 1:3-8”





6. Submit rough draft of your final research paper.



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Week 15: Song of Songs & Reading Journal (2)


Topics:

1. The Book of Song of Songs: Israel’s Marital Love

2. Reading Journal: Weeks 9-15



the book of Song of Songs.

2. Outline the literary structure of the book of Song of Songs.


implications for the book of Song of Songs.


1. Complete readings: Song of Songs (biblical text), Estes, Handbook on the Wisdom Books and Psalms,

chapter on Song of Songs; Hunter, Jannie H. “The Song of Protest: Reassessing the Song of

Song.”





6. Submit Reading Journal for weeks 9-15.



Week 16: Final Exam & Final Paper


Topics:

1. Final Exam

2. Final Paper


1. Final Exam Review: describe the main historical periods and geographical areas of ancient Israel

related to the study of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs.

2. Final Exam Review: Identify the major issues for interpreting Old Testament poetic texts.

3. Final Exam Review: Summarize and review the standard elements of historical context, canonical

context and theological implications for the books Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Lamentations,

Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs.

4. Compose a graduate-level research paper. Stage 3: submit and discuss the final draft of the research

paper.

Assignments due by midnight Sunday 5/10:

1. Complete study guide for the final exam.

2. Take the final exam: (a) objective section, and (b) essay

3. Submit the final draft of the final research paper.

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