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Introduction to the
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Saint Martin's
College Humanities Division Department of Religious Studies David Suter homepage Return to course list Campus office: 366 Campus phone: (360) 438-4360 Office hours: MWF 2:00-250 PM; TR 1:00-1:50 PM Email contact here |
Description General Education Texts Requirements Topics and Assignments |
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"The Old Testament is a story. It is an
expression of the full range of human emotions from exalted or passionate love
to bitterest hate. The story has been narrated and written in prose and poetry,
song and hymn, liturgy and prayer; it uses allegory, humor, irony, hyperbole,
and all other literary devices to convey its meaning.
-Davie Napier, Song of
the Vineyard Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures studies the books of the Hebrew Scriptures (to Christians, the Old Testament) in their historical, literary, and theological dimensions, as well as the methods used by contemporary Biblical scholars to study them. In addition, since many of us relate to the Bible as "our story," the course is designed to explore the contemporary cultural, theological, and personal implications of these ancient writings. |
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This course qualifies for general education credit at Saint Martin's College. The aims and objectives of general education at Saint Martin's College include the goal that "Saint Martin's College graduates will have an understanding of religious and philosophical concepts and principles, and of the moral and ethical questions they will face in society and the professions." In this course, we will have several goals, including the acquisition of some exact knowledge about several of the religions of the world, a focus on the central or controlling concepts of those religions, the ability to communicate and to enter into dialog with persons of other faiths, and perhaps a better understanding of the "religious" dimension of our own lives, however we define it. |
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Texts
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The course will include two hour-long tests, a final exam, and a paper. The tests and exam will include both short answer and discussion questions. Make-up exams will be given only in the case of what the professor deems to be compelling reasons (serious illness and true emergencies related to employment or family). Late papers will be lowered a letter grade. The paper should be eight to ten pages in length. The topic is to be selected by the student in consultation with the professor, and must be appropriate for an academic course in the study of the Hebrew Scriptures. The words and ideas of other persons must be appropriately acknowledged with endnotes or other appropriate forms of documentation (MLA style is recommended), and the paper must have a bibliography or list of works cited. Considerations in evaluation of the term paper will include the significance of the topic, the quality of the student's understanding of the topic and related issues, the clarity of the writing and presentation, the choice and evaluation of appropriate source material, and the use of appropriate forms of documentation. Violations of the College's policies on academic honesty as printed in the catalogue will lead to failure of the assignment or the course, depending upon the seriousness of the offense. The final grade will be weighted as follows: tests and paper, 20% each; final exam, 25%; class participation, 15%. |
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments Assignments for readings from the Bible, if not found below, are listed at the beginning of chapters assigned from Humphreys. PERSPECTIVES ON THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES (Aug. 30, Sept. 1, 6)
STORY AND COVENANT: THE TRIBAL CONSTITUTION
TRADITIONS IN TRANSITION: THE ORIGINS OF THE MONARCHY
RECITATION AND WRITING: THE FORMATION OF THE PENTATEUCH
THE PROPHETIC VISION
FROM NATION TO RELIGION
DUE DATES
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