History 4263: Ancient Israel
University of North Texas, Spring Semester 2015
Department of History
Instructor: Dr. Walter Roberts
Office: Wooten Hall 227
Office Hours: M-TH 1-2 PM; or by appointment
Office Phone: 940-565-2489
E-Mail:
Course Description and Objectives
This course is a survey of the history of the Hebrew people’s attempts at early state formation from their earliest known origins to the Persian period (ca. 3000 BCE-ca. 500 BCE). Particular attention will be paid to the creation of the earliest incarnations of the state of Israel in the context of its geography as a border territory. Thematically, this course will examine the interplay between Jewish monotheism and assimilation with the neighboring polytheistic cultures and how this interrelationship informed Jewish notions of leadership and community. In addition, students will be introduced to the notions and problems of state formation in the tradition of "Western" thought. This course will be heavily based on reading primary sources and some of the more influential secondary scholarship on Hebrew culture and ancient Israel and its neigbors. We will also explore the use of archaeology and other non-literary sources in an attempt to address the basic issues of the course.
Student Learning Outcomes
1) Show an understanding of the basic developments in ancient Israel from ca. 3000 BCE-ca. 500 BCE.
2) Place ancient Israel in a wider historical context; that is, how do the developments in ancient Israel inform our understanding of modern notions of topics such as state formation and cultural identity.
3) Identify primary and secondary historical sources concerning ancient Israel.
4) Be able to formulate an analytical argument about historical issues concerning ancient Israel using analysis of primary and secondary sources.
5) Be able to assess critically primary sources on ancient Israel.
Required Texts
The following are available at any of the bookstores affiliated with the University of North Texas:
The Access Bible, updated edition (Oxford, 2011) ISBN-13: 978-0199777532
Don C. Benjamin and Victor H. Matthews, The Social World of Ancient Israel: 1250-587 BCE (Baker Academic, 2005) ISBN: 978-0801047077
Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman, David and Solomon: In Search of the Bible’s Sacred Kings and the Roots of the Western Tradition (Free Press, 2007)
ISBN: 978-0743243636
Megan B. Moore and Brad E. Kelle, Biblical History and Israel’s Past: The Changing Study of the Bible and History (Eerdmans Publishing, 2011) ISBN: 978-0802862600
Hershel Shanks, ed. Ancient Israel: From Abraham to the Roman Destruction of the Temple, 3rd edition (Pearson, 2010) ISBN: 978-0205096435
Grading and Evaluation
My overall evaluation of each student in this course will be broken down as follows:
Two Examinations: 20% each (40% total)
3 Book Reviews: 20% each (60% total)
The value for all grades in this course will be based on a standard collegiate scale: A=90-100%; B=80-89%; C=70-79%; D=60-69%; F=59% or lower
Examinations
The 2 exams will be in-class green book exams consisting of identifications and essay questions. Each of these exams will be worth 20% of your final grade.
Book Reviews
You will be asked to write 3 short papers reviewing the Moore/Kelle, Finkelstein/Silberman, and Benjamin/Matthews books. At the dates noted under the class schedule, each student will turn in a 3-5 page typed, single or double-spaced essay in Courier or Times New Roman 10 or 12 point font on the relevant book. Further details on these writing assignments are available on the course website. Each paper will be worth 20% of your grade, so the 3 papers combined will be 60% of your total grade.
All book reviews are to be done on an individual basis with no group collaboration, and must be completed/turned in on the appropriate due date. In addition, all students are required to send an attached file via e-mail containing their written work in Microsoft Word format along with a hard copy of their paper.
Policy on Late Assignments
There will normally be no allowance for missing the exams or turning in papers late. If missing an exam or paper due date is unavoidable due to extenuating circumstances (as decided by me, not you!), the student must give me reasonable prior notification and documentation for the reason they are missing the exam or not turning in a paper. In such cases the student must then arrange with me to make up the exam in question or turn in the paper in question within 2 weeks of the original date of the assignment. Make-up exams may be a different format from the original.
Attendance and Classroom Etiquette Policies
There is no formal attendance requirement, but much of the information on the exams comes from class lecture and discussion, so it would behoove you to come to class on a regular basis. I am a stickler on issues of classroom etiquette. Students that are habitually tardy, regularly exit class early, or who otherwise disrupt class will be subject to being administratively dropped from the course. The assumption is that you are all adults and know how to behave accordingly in a classroom setting. The list of disruptive behaviors that will not be tolerated by me includes, but is certainly not limited to: sleeping; cell phone use or cell phone ringer going off; texting; chatting with your peers while I’m lecturing or another of your peers has the floor; surfing the web; doing other coursework. I reserve the right to ask you to leave the class if I deem such disruptive behavior to be especially egregious. In short, I will treat you as adults as long as you show me and your peers the same courtesy.
University of North Texas Code of Student Conduct
This code is in effect for all aspects of this course. Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated, and will be dealt with according to University policy. If you are unclear about the Code of Student Conduct, please refer to section Chapter 7, Section 18.1.16 of the University Policy Manual (https://policy.unt.edu/sites/default/files/untpolicy/pdf/7-Student_Affairs-Academic_Integrity.pdf) or come see me.
Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. Students are strongly encouraged to deliver letters of accommodation during faculty office hours or by appointment. Faculty members have the authority to ask students to discuss such letters during their designated office hours to protect the privacy of the student. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at http://www.unt.edu/oda. You may also contact them by phone at 940.565.4323.
Course Web Page
This course has its own Web page on the Blackboard site. This web page will contain the syllabus, assignment guidelines, and other supplemental course materials. It is important that you check the Web page on a regular basis to get your assignments and access material that will make this course more manageable.
Class Schedule (Order of topics and due dates for assignments subject to change)
January 20-22
Basic Issues and Evidence for Ancient Israel
January 26-February 6
The Patriarchal Age
Readings: Shanks, Chapter 1; Access Bible, pages 4-46 and the Book of Genesis
February 9-February 20
Israel in Egypt and the Exodus
Readings: Shanks, Chapter 2; Book of Exodus (Access Bible)
February 23-March 11
The Settlement in Canaan
Readings: Shanks, Chapter 3; Book of Judges (Access Bible)
March 23-April 3
The United Monarchy
Readings: Shanks, Chapter 4; 1 and 2 Samuel (Access Bible)
April 6-April 17
The Divided Monarchy
Readings: Shanks, Chapter 5; 1 and 2 Kings (Access Bible)
April 20-May 6
The Babylonian Exile and the Persian Period
Readings: Shanks, Chapter 6; 1 and 2 Chronicles, Isaiah, Ezrah and Nehemiah (Access Bible)
MID-TERM EXAM: Friday, March 13 at regular time in our regular classroom
FINAL EXAM: Saturday, May 9 from 8-10 AM in our regular classroom
BOOK REVIEW DUE DATES:
Moore/Kelle due at the beginning of class on Monday, February 23
Finkelstein/Silberman due at the beginning of class on Monday, April 6
Benjamin/Matthews due at the beginning of class on Monday, May 4
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