HS 331-202: Prophets & Prophecy in the Hebrew Bible (ONLINE)
Dana Margolis
Office Hours: T/R 10 – 10:50 by appt (CRT 872)
Course Objectives:
More than any other figures in the ancient world, the prophets of Israel helped to define and strengthen the covenantal bond between the people and God. They were not simply seers or social critics; they were extraordinary poets, theologians, and public educators. Their oral exhortations, preserved in written form, continue to inspire and challenge us today. This course will examine various dimensions of Biblical prophecy including:
▪ the nature of prophetic revelation,
▪ the stylistic forms of Hebrew prophecy: its themes and messages,
▪ the social and political context for prophecy, and
▪ the role of the prophets in Jewish history and tradition
Course Overview:
Since this is an online course, it is structured differently than a face-to-face class. The course content is delivered via D2L (for discussion and written materials) and readings in the required texts. You should check into D2L regularly to check on any new announcements or assignments.
Course Style: To be successful in this online course, it is important that you recognize the role and value of online learning. This class is appropriate for people who like flexibility, are self-motivated, and enjoy participating in discussions with fellow class members. It is also important that you enjoy computer technology and learning independently to be successful. It will be very important that you are willing to learn, and use, the technology necessary to access web information and complete assignments online. You will also have to be willing to do almost all of your communicating, with classmates and me, online.
A common misconception about online courses is that they involve a student sitting in front of a computer and absorbing information. This course does not make this assumption. Although some information will be provided in a one-way (i.e., from instructor to student) manner, the majority of the content will be interactive. In short, this will not be a course where I will be lecturing. This will be a student-centered course where you will be asked to do a set of readings, to reflect on those readings, and then to apply, evaluate, or synthesize materials from the readings. If you are interested primarily in a “lecture” format, then you will not be happy in this course. My hope is that by having you more actively engaged in the material each week, you will not only enjoy this course more, but that you will also learn more.
Time Commitment & Scheduling: Students who are considering this course should be aware that there is still a regular “in class” time commitment of 3 hours per week (roughly two hours for assignments, preparing quizzes, discussion forum participation—reading and writing, etc.). And, just like any other course, the expectation is that for each hour “in class,” there should be roughly 2 hours of preparation outside of class (reading chapters, writing papers, studying for quizzes, etc.). So, the weekly time commitment for this course is very similar to other courses…roughly 9 hours per week. This may vary from person to person, but it is a good idea to remember that online courses still require substantial time, energy, and initiative if you wish to learn the information well.
It will be extremely important for you to develop a schedule for this class similar to any face-to-face class that you take. I will try to help you do that by asking you to complete various assignments by certain times each week, so that you do not get behind or lost. But it will also be necessary for you to set aside certain amounts of time (as you would for any class) to do the reading, the activities, the quizzes, and the papers. Although I will try to structure the course to be as user-friendly as possible, it is ultimately your responsibility to prioritize your time so that the course materials can be completed according to the preset deadlines.
Required Texts:
1. Readings and announcements posted on D2L
2. Course Reader: Available from Clark Graphics
The reader can be shipped to you by calling 414 962-4633 for the cost of shipping.
3. Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, The New JPS Translation According to the Traditional Hebrew Text
If students own other versions of the Hebrew Bible, they may be used but you must be aware that page numbers and translations will vary from the text being used by most of the class.
4. Bringing the Prophets to Life, by Neil N Winkler. Available for purchase at the UWM Bookstore.
5. OPTIONAL Course Reader to be used Extra Credit Elisha Study Guide available at Clark Graphics. Please call in advance to let them know that you would like to purchase this Reader and they will run off a copy for you. 414 – 962 4633. They can also mail it for the cost of shipping.
Method of Assessment:
1. Quizzes:
1. Syllabus Quiz (4 points)
A short quiz designed to ensure comprehension of the course expectations as laid out in the Course Syllabus.
2. Bible Basics Quiz (3 quizzes X 10 points each = 30 points)
One quiz is given at the end of each weekly topic throughout the Bible Basics module. See Course Schedule for specific due dates. Each quiz will be 10 questions – T/F or Multiple Choice. Students should be prepared with the reading material prior to starting the quiz as there is a 30-minute time limit for completing the quiz.
3. Philosophy of Prophecy (30 points)
Covers the material presented in Weeks 5 – 7 of the course. Format will be T/F & Multiple Choice. The time limit will be 75 minutes to complete the quiz.
NOTE: No late quizzes will be accepted/offered without evidence of excused absence.
2. Assignments:
Introductory Assignment: (6 POINTS)
An introductory assignment will be completed during the first week of classes designed to help each student to examine and/or become aware of their assumptions and conceptions regarding the Hebrew Bible prior to taking this course. Students will complete an initial post and then read and respond to their classmates. Detailed assignment instructions are posted under the Content Tab in D2L.
Study Guides: (80 POINTS)
The Biblical Portraits unit of the course is comprised of five mini – learning modules (plus an optional one for extra credit) that each covers one Biblical character. These Study Guides are to be completed in 3 Phases:
1. A Study Guide designed to facilitate in depth understanding of the Biblical characters will be posted prior to the beginning of each new module. Each student in the course will be placed into a Discussion Group, made up of approximately 5-6 students, that is automatically generated by the D2L system. Each student will post a rough draft of the Study Guide by the due date listed on the Course Schedule. The objective of the Rough Draft is to guide the students through the readings looking for the most important aspects of each character and story. The small groups will be shuffled several times throughout the semester.
2. The next phase of the Study Guide Assignment is to respond to the postings of the other students within your group. The objective is to help each other by questioning of assumptions, perspectives and accuracy of the information presented thus far. You may learn from the research of others and use your group as a spring board for discussion and debate.
3. After the initial Discussion Group postings (rough drafts and responses) of the study guides have been completed, the Instructor will present the lecture notes and refer students to specific sources and additional references to be used in completing a thorough, detailed and comprehensive, version of the study guide. The final study guides should be submitted via the D2L dropbox by the due date listed on the Course Schedule.
A more detailed explanation of the Discussion Groups and how to complete the study guides is posted on D2L.
Students can opt out of completing one study guide per semester. In other words, only 4 out of 5 study guides will be calculated in your final grade. Additionally, students have the option of completing a Study Guide for the Biblical character, Elisha for 10 points of extra credit.
Rough Draft = 10 pts
Final draft = 10 pts
20 pts each X 4* study guides = Total of 80 pts
*Students are only required to turn in 4 out of 5
Group Projects: (30 POINTS)
Students will work in small groups to prepare a presentation on a “Minor Prophet” of their choice. This assignment will allow students to demonstrate their knowledge of the Biblical analysis tools acquired throughout the semester and additionally, will offer students the opportunity to become familiar with many other important Biblical characters and stories. Students will be required to present a study guide to the rest of the class and then respond to/critique the other presentations. The Study Guide is worth 20 points and the critiques are worth up to 10 points total.
A complete set of instructions for this assignment is posted under the Content Tab in D2L.
Final Reflection Paper: (20 POINTS)
The final assignment of the semester is a short 1 – 2 page essay in which the student should reflect back on the semester and consider:
1. Jewish perspective on prophecy grown/changed from the beginning of the semester?
2. What tools/skills have you gained in being able to analyze the Biblical text since the beginning of the semester?
3. How How has your knowledge and understanding of the Hebrew prophets and/or the has your ability to think critically grown/changed since the beginning of the semester?
4. Anything else that you would like to share regarding your experience in this course.
Papers should be submitted in the dropbox by the due date listed on the Course Schedule.
Summary of Assessment:
1. Introductory Assignment / 6 points2. Syllabus Quiz / 4 points
3. Bible Basics Quizzes / 30 points
4. Philosophy of Prophecy Quiz / 30 points
3. Biblical Portraits – Study Guides / 80 points
4. Group Projects / 30 points
5. Final Reflection Paper / 20 points
Total / 200 points
Grading Scale:
Grade / % / PointsA / 92-100 / 184 - 200
A- / 89-91 / 178 - 183
B+ / 86-88 / 172 - 177
B / 82-85 / 164 - 171
B- / 79-81 / 158 - 163
C+ / 76-78 / 152 - 157
C / 71-75 / 142 - 151
C- / 68-70 / 136 - 141
D+ / 65-67 / 130 - 135
D / 62-65 / 124 - 129
D- / 59-61 / 118 - 123
F / <59 / <118
Policies
1. Email: All email correspondence will use your uwm.edu email addresses so please make sure that you check those accounts regularly.
2. Missed Quizzes: Any quiz not taken by its due date, without a valid medical, religious or military excuse will be counted as 0 points.
3. Study Guides Due Dates: Study guides turned in past the due date will be docked 1 point for every day that they are late. Discussion Group Postings not turned in by the due date will be counted as 0 points without a valid medical, religious, or military excuse.
4. Syllabus Modifications. I will try not to modify the syllabus throughout the semester, but in the event that some modification is needed, you will be informed in advance. Please regularly check the D2L web page to be aware of any modifications that are made.
5. Other Policies: For additional information regarding University policy please visit http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/SecU/SyllabusLinks.pdf
Jewish Studies Major/Minor
This course is part of the Jewish Studies major and minor. The major offers two tracks: Hebrew Studies and Jewish Cultural Studies (which does not require Hebrew language). With its combination of core courses and electives, the Jewish Studies program allows students to create a course of study that can focus on religion, culture, Israel, Holocaust, media, or immigration. A dynamic and innovative major, Jewish Studies prepares students to work in our multicultural world.
For more information on the Jewish Studies major and minor, please the coordinator, Dr. Rachel N. Baum, ; 229-5156.
Course Schedule
Date / Topic / Required Reading / What is Due?Week 1
January 25 – 31 / Introduction / Course Syllabus
D2L: Remember the Human / ✓ Introductory Assignment
✓ Initial Post: Thurs 1/28 by 9am
✓ 2nd Post Sun 1/31 @ midnight
✓ Syllabus Quiz by Sun 1/31 @ midnight
Bible Basics: Creation - 2nd Temple
Weeks 2 – 4
Week 2
February 1 – 7 / Creation to Exodus: the period of the Patriarchs & Matriarchs / Aaronson: Reader: 5-11
Timelines: Reader 21 – 28 (for reference throughout the course)
Phases: Reader 29-40
D2l Notes / ✓ Quiz closes Sun 2/7 @ midnight
Week 3
February 8 – 14 / From Moses to David – the birth of a Nation, the period of Judges / Aaronson: Reader: 11-13
Phases: Reader 41 - 57
D2L Notes / ✓ Quiz closes Sun 2/14 @ midnight
Week 4
Febrary 15 – 21 / Prophets & Kings / Aaronson: Reader 14-20
Phases: Reader 58 - 84
D2L Notes / ✓ Quiz closes Sun 2/21 @ midnight
Philosophy of Prophecy
Weeks 5 - 7
Week 5
February 22 – 28 / Meet the Prophets / Prophet List: Reader: 87-88
Kaplan: Reader: 89-95
Isaacs: Reader: 96-109
D2L Notes
Week 6
February 29 – March 6 / Characteristics of the Prophets &
The Prophetic Experience / Rambam: Reader: 110-119