B110 Introduction to the Old Testament
Dr. Burn Page
2008-2009 Theme: The Journey for Life: Walking With The Lord
Prerequisites: None Course Credit Hours: 3 Thursday Nights: 5:30-8:00
Course Description A general overview of the background, development and content of the Old Testament (2008-09 Mississippi College Undergraduate Bulletin, p. 91). Rationale B110 is required of all students at Mississippi College to satisfy the undergraduate university core curriculum. The course is an introductory survey of the Old Testament preceded by introductory material necessary for understanding the nature of the Bible. The purpose of the course is to acquaint the student with the Old Testament and to increase appreciation for it as great literature and as the record of God's revelation of himself to humankind in Jesus Christ. Objectives Cognitive - Upon completion of this course, the student should:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. be able to describe the historical, cultural, and political background of the Old Testament be able to identify the thirty-nine books that comprise the Old Testament in the Protestant Christian Canon and their general classifications have a general understanding of the content of each book of the Old Testament be able to describe the primary theological themes of the Old Testament, and be able to relate the Old and New Testaments theologically & historically.
Affective - Upon completion of this course, the student should: 1. have a heightened appreciation for the Old Testament as an important literary library 2. feel a deeper veneration for the role of the Old Testament in the development of western
civilization, and 3. sense a need for additional study in the area of Old Testament studies. Instruction Methodology The class will convene each Thursday evening at 5:30 PM in the CIV classroom of Leland Speed Library. The primary teaching method will be lecture and class discussion. Additionally, the student should stay current with all assigned reading. Three sectional exams will be given at designated times. Thorough note taking during each class session will provide the student with the single best source for exam preparation. Primary Textbook: The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha. Revised Standard Version. New York: Oxford University Press, Inc., 1977. Contact Information Dr. Page may be reached at 601.925.3292.
E-mail: BPage@mc.edu
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Grading The professors will administer three exams worth 100 points each for a total of 300 points. Students accumulate points based on performance on these four exams. Additionally, students can earn up to 100 points during the semester for participation (attendance and class interaction when appropriate). Therefore, the semester grade is determined by the total number of points earned by each student of the 400 total points available. Course Evaluation The semester grade will be determined the amount of points earned by the student as follows: 360-400 points = A; 320-359 points = B; 280-319 points = C; 240-279 points = D; 239 or less = F
Make-up Exams: Make-up exams will be given on a "must-miss" basis only. The student is solely responsible for making up any missed exams and will be allowed to do so only with approval of the professor. The professor will give make-up exams on July 23 at 8:00 to those who missed a regularly scheduled exam due to illness verified by doctor’s note or excused absence verified by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (sports team travel is included). Students who miss a test but have no verification of illness or excused absence will earn 0 points for that particular exam thus severely handicapping their chances for a passing grade for the semester. Make-ups will not necessarily follow the same format as the original exam and it will be to the student's benefit to take all exams at the regularly scheduled time. The student who desires to do well in this class should meet the following criteria:
a. Arrive at class promptly, no later than 5:30 PM and stay for the entire session b. Stay current on all reading assignments and contribute to class discussions when appropriate (see page 4 below for a schedule of reading assignments, topics, and exams) c. Take all exams at the scheduled time (Make-ups must be approved first) d. Be courteous to the professor and classmates by turning off all cell phones, pagers, or other personal digital assistants that could disrupt class Class Attendance Your presence in the classroom is a vital ingredient for understanding the content of this course. Roll will be taken at least once and sometimes twice during each Thursday night session. The student will receive a grade of "F" immediately upon accumulating the equivalent of 3 absences. For example if a student misses an entire Thursday night class, one absence will be placed on record. If a student attends the first half of class and then leaves, 1/2 an absence will be recorded. It will be to the student's advantage to come to class for three reasons: a. better comprehension of the material, b. qualifying for up to 100 points for participation during the semester, and c. overall engagement in the class. Missing a complete class session would result in 0 participation points. A late arrival to class or early departure would result in reduced points also. The professor reserves the right to award bonus points at his discretion for perfect attendance. (Mississippi College Undergraduate Catalog 2008-2009, pp.56-57) Syllabus Changes Every effort has been taken to insure the accuracy of this syllabus and to relay the professor's intent to follow it. However, the professor retains the right to alter the syllabus based on the progress of the class and other mitigating factors. 2
Personal Integrity Because this is a Christian college, "Mississippi College students are expected to be scrupulously honest. Dishonesty, such as cheating or plagiarism…, or furnishing false information, including forgery, alteration or misuse of College documents, records, or identification, will be regarded as a serious offense subject to severe penalty, including, but not limited to, loss of credit and possible dismissal." (Mississippi College General Bulletin, 2008-09, “Honesty,”
p. 60)
Special Accommodations Please contact Dr. Buddy Wagner in the Counseling and Career Development Center (601.925.3354) for any special needs or accommodations related to learning, physical, psychological or other disabilities. Broad Course Outline I. Introduction: Canon, History, and Theology II. Torah (The Law): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy III. Nevi'im (The Prophets): Former: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings Latter: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Book of the 12 IV. Kethuvim (The Writings): Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Megilloth, Chronicles, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Daniel
S C H E D U L E
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Course Schedule of Reading Assignments, Topics, and Exams
May
28 Welcome, Syllabus, Course Overview, Student Survey Old Testament Overview: Canon, History, and Theology Origin and Structure of the Torah (Pentateuch, Law) Outline and Overview of Genesis [Gen. 1-12] Outline and Overview of Exodus [Exod. 1-4; 19-20; 34; 40] Torah Continued Outline and Overview of Leviticus [Lev. 1-7; 16] Outline and Overview of Numbers [Numbers 6; 13-14] Outline and Overview of Deuteronomy [Deut. 5-6; 27-28; 34]
June
4
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FIRST SECTIONAL TEST—INTRODUCTION TORAH (THE LAW)
Origin and Structure of The Former Prophets (Nevi'im A) Deuteronomic History Outline and Overview of Joshua [Joshua 1-12; 24] Outline and Overview of Judges [Judges 1-4; 13-16] Outline and Overview of I & II Samuel [I Sam. 1-4; 8-10; 17; 28; 31; II Sam. 7; 11-12; 24] Outline and Overview of I & II Kings [I Kings 1-11; II Kings 17; 22-25]
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The Latter Prophets (Nevi'im B)-Major Outline and Overview of Isaiah [1; 5-7; 36-37; 40; 52:13-53:12; 61:1-2] Outline and Overview of Jeremiah [1-2; 7; 31:31-34; 35-36; 45; 52] Outline and Overview of Ezekiel [1-3; 18; 28; 33; 37]
July
2 The Latter Prophets (Nevi'im B)-Minor Outlines and Overviews of Hosea-Micah [Hos. 1-3; Joel; Amos; Obad.; Jonah; Micah] Outlines and Overviews of Nahum-Malachi [Nahum; Habakkuk; Haggai; Malachi]
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SECOND SECTIONAL TEST—THE NEVI’IM (FORMER & LATTER PROPHETS) The Writings (Kethubim)
Outline and Overview of Job [Job 1-3; 28; 31; 42] Outline and Overview of Psalms [1; 22-24] Outline and Overview of Psalms [32, 51, 73, 150] Outline and Overview of Proverbs [Proverbs 1-9; 31]
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The Megilloth: Ruth, Esther, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and Lamentations [read all of these books] Postexilic Period: Ezra; Nehemiah; I & II Chronicles [Ezra 1-7; Nehemiah 1-6; I Chron. 10-16; 29; II Chron. 33-36] Daniel; Toward the New Testament [Daniel 16; Matt. 1:1; Luke 24; John 1:1-5]
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ALL MAKE-UP TESTS MUST BE TAKEN TONIGHT (July 23rd) 30 FINAL EXAM: KETHUBIM (THE WRITINGS)
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