RELIG 2332-2432                                                                           Dr. R. Frontain

Jewish Bible                                                                                     Office: Irby 421

Spring 1999                                                                                     Office Hours:

TTh 10:50-12:05                                                                                          MWF 2-4 p.m.

Irby 310                                                                                                       TTH 1:30-2:30 p.m.

TEXTS

Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures (Jewish Publication Society, 1985) Matthews and Benjamin, ed.,

Old Testament Parallels: Laws and Stories from the Ancient Near East, 2nd ed. (Paulist P, 1997)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

An introduction to the Tanakh or Jewish Bible, concentrating upon the sacral qualities of the text, upon the sources of its authority, and upon its influence on Western culture and subsequent transformation by that culture. Students are asked to pay especial attention to the definition and operations of the sacred within the text, and to reconsider the cultural assumptions implicit in such "techniques of strangeness."

SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS

T 12 Jan.  Introduction to Course: Language, Authority, and the Sacred

R 14 Jan.  Isaiah 1-39

T 19 Jan.  Isaiah 40-55

R 21 Jan.  Isaiah 56-66

T 26 Jan.  Jeremiah 1-45

R 28 Jan.  Jeremiah 46-52

T 2 Feb.  Ezekiel 1-24

R 4 Feb.  Ezekiel 25-48

T 9 Feb.  Hosea, Joel, Amos

R 11 Feb.  Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachai

T 16 Feb.  Jonah; Lamentations

R 18 Feb.  EXAMINATION

T 23 Feb.  Genesis 1-11

R 25 Feb.  Genesis 12-36

T 2 Mar.  Genesis 37-50

R 4 Mar.  Exodus 1-24:11 PAPER #1 DUE IN CLASS

T 9 Mar.  Exodus 24:12-40 [MIDTERM GRADES DUE]

R 11 Mar.  Leviticus

T 16 Mar.  Numbers

R 18 Mar.  Deuteronomy [FINAL DAY WP/WF]

SPRING RECESS

T 30 Mar.  Joshua

R 1 Apr.  RESEARCH DAY

T 6 Apr.  Judges

R 8 Apr.  EXAMINATION #2

T 13 Apr.  1 Samuel

R 15 Apr.  2 Samuel

T 20 Apr.  1 and 2 Kings

R 22 Apr.  Psalms

PAPER #2 DUE IN CLASS

T 27 Apr.  Job

R 29 Apr.  Ruth, Esther

T 4 May Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes

R 6 May FINAL EXAMINATION

COURSE POLICIES

1. The final grade will be computed as follows: Examination #1 (20%), Examination #2 (20%), Final Exam (20%), Paper #1 (15%), and Paper #2 (25%)

2. Read carefully in advance of class and write carefully on all assignments. Paper #1 (due in class 4 March) is a 3-5 page typewritten comparison/contrast of three (3) translations of a prophetic oracle (10-15 verses). Paper #2 is a 7-10 page analytical response to either Daniel, Ezra, or Nehemiah in the context of issues that have been discussed in class this term.

3. Plagiarism is the failure to acknowledge any linguistic or ideational indebtedness. Protect yourself by saving research notes and drafts of each paper; when working on a computer, periodically print out and date drafts of a paper so that you may readily answer any question about the evolution and authority of your work. The penalty for plagiarism is the failure of that assignment and a zero (O) being averaged in for that portion of the final grade.

4. Because arriving late or leaving early disrupts the class and inconveniences everyone, please be on time for class and schedule personal business outside of class time. Two tardies equal one absence; except in the case of a debilitating illness which is identified to the instructor at the time, a student will be automatically dropped for nonattendance upon the fourth (4th) absence.

5. A student who has been attending class regularly and keeping up with the reading will automatically receive a WP until the first exam has been administered. After this, the withdrawal grade will reflect the student's average upon the recorded date of withdrawal. It is always wise to consult with the instructor before one withdraws and thus avert any later misunderstanding.

6. The following grade scale will be in use during the term.

A (excellent)       = 90-99

B (superior)        = 80-89

C (adequate)      = 70-70

D (inadequate)   = 60-69

F (unacceptable)  = 0-59

A sample unit conversion scale follows:

C+/B   = 79

C+      = 78

C+/C  = 77

C/C+  = 76

C        = 75

C/C-   = 74

C-/C   = 73

C-        =72

C-       = 71

C-/D+ = 70

In order that any confusion concerning the final grade summary may be easily remedied, students should keep all returned papers on file.

7. "The University of Central Arkansas adheres to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you need accommodation under this act due to a disability, contact the Office of Disability Support Services at 450-3135."