Introduction to the Old Testament
B1311

Time: Spring 2010, Thursday 6:00-7:50pm
Credit: 2 credit hours
Instructor: Eric Joseph Spano Ph. D.
Contact Information: (540) 588-6072; spanoman@mpbc.roacoxmail.com

Course Description
An introduction to the literature, history, and theology of the Old Testament with specific attention to the various methods of critical study. The course is designed to familiarize the student with the text of the OT and its relationship to the Ancient Near Eastern culture, while giving attention to the relationship of each book to the OT as a whole.

Course Requirements:

  1. Attendance and class participation (5%)
  2. Careful and thoughtful completion of the assigned readings (5%)
  3. A written (typed) summary and evaluation of the textbook Robert Alter, The Art of Biblical Narrative. The assignment is to be double spaced 10-12 pages (15%).
  4. 3 exams including the final (75%). Exams will cover assigned readings and class discussion.

Required Texts

  1. Tremper Longman and Raymond Dillard, An Introduction to the OId Testament 2 nd Edition. Zondervan 2006
  2. Robert Alter, The Art of Biblical Narrative. Basic Books 1981

Class Schedule and Assignments

1/28 Introduction
Historical Overview of the OT period
Reading Assignment: Longman and Dillard “Introduction” (13-37)

2/4 Historical Overview cont.
Reading Assignment: “Genesis” (38-62)

2/11 Creation and Genesis
Reading Assignment: “Exodus” (63-80)

2/18 The Exodus
Reading assignment: “Leviticus” and “Numbers” (81-101)

2/25 Leviticus and Numbers
Reading assignment: “Deuteronomy” (102-119)

3/4 Deuteronomy
Exam (Second half of the period)
Reading assignment: “Joshua” (120-132) and “Judges” (133-143)

3/11 Joshua and Judges
Reading assignment: “Ruth” (144-150) and “Samuel” (151-166)

3/18 Ruth and 1 and 2 Samuel
Reading assignment: “Kings” (167-189)

3/25 1 and 2 Kings
Exam (Second half of period)

4/1 No Class Spring break
Assignment: Reading summary (10-12 pages)

4/8 No Class
Reading assignment: “Chronicles” (190-201)

4/15 Chronicles
Paper Due
Reading assignment: “Ezra-Nehemiah” (202-212)

4/22 Ezra and Nehemiah
Reading assignment: “Esther” (213-223)

4/29 Esther
Reading assignment: “Job” (224-236)

5/6 Job
Review for final exam

5/13 Final Exam