Wisdom/Writings

Catalog description

Taught by DSPT. The course provides a survey of most (not all) the books from the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible's wisdom and writing materials, focused around a particular pair of questions related to answerable living: What is the good life envisioned and described? How do humans achieve and/or receive it? The course is aimed at the intermediate level (so for MA/MDiv/MABL students) who ideally will have had an introduction to OT (e.g., BSSP 1066, Modules A, B). The course is lecture/discussion, with the format varying from session to session. Required will be a good deal of reading (biblical and secondary), active presence and participation, three to five short written assignments, a willingness to engage critical issues of biblical study. Grades will be based on effective discussion and presentation of material well-understood and made useful for participants. Alternative assignment: Those needing a research paper may request to do one. [A recent critical introduction to OT; Faculty Consent required; 20 max enrollment; Auditors excluded]