OTS 201 OT Survey 2
Syllabus Spring 2016 / 1

Criswell College 4010 Gaston Ave. Dallas, TX 75246214-821-5433

OTS 201 L00.B Old Testament Survey II

Job through Malachi

Instructor: David L. Brooks Term: Spring 2016

E-mail: Time: Thurs 7:00 – 9:30PM

Phone: 214-818-1324 (Faculty Secretary, Mrs. Linda Carter: 214-818-1328) Classroom: E207Office: E315 Credit: 3 semester hrs.

Office hours by appt.: M 1:30–2:30; T 10:30–11:00; 12:15–2:15; Th 10–11; 4:15–6:15

I.Course Description: The study of the books of Job through Malachi, focusing on the nature and formation of the poetic and wisdom literature of ancient Israel as well as the oracles of the Hebrew prophets, their message and contribution to Israel’s history and faith.

II. Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Locate on a timeline these OT books and the major OT events and characters they mention;
  2. Explain how each book fits into the historical context of the OT timeline and its theological context in the history of redemption;
  3. Describe the occasion, message, and structure of each book;
  4. Identify the basic literary genres present and explain their function;
  5. Outline a summary survey of the content of each book;
  6. Identify the basic interpretative and critical issues, particularly authorship and date; and
  7. Apply biblical principles from the OT to contemporary situations.
  1. Textbooks

A.The Holy Bible. Yes, bring a Bible to class! I will use the NKJV.

B.Hill, Andrew E., and John H. Walton. A Survey of the Old Testament. 3d ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009. (ISBN 9780310280958)

IV. Assignments/Requirements and Evaluations

  1. 4 exams.The exams come from the lectures and notes (not the textbook) and are in multiple-choice, true-false, and matching format. You have access to the tests on Blackboard through your student portal. Tests are late after12:00 midnight at the end of the due date. You are permitted 60 minutes for each one. They are not open-book exams:

1. History & poetry through Proverbs

2. Ecclesiastes through Hosea

3. Isaiah through Obadiah

4. Ezekiel through Malachi

  1. Quizzes.There are nine quizzes with ten or eleven multiple-choice and true-false questions, based on the reading from the textbook by Hill and Walton. The lowest quiz score will be dropped when calculating your average score. The quizzes will be taken on your student portal on Blackboard, and are due by 12:00 midnight at the end ofthe scheduled date.See below and onthe Tentative Schedule of Events for due dates and which textbook chapters are on each quiz.You may have your textbook open for these quizzes.
  2. Bible Reading. Read Job through Malachi in a version of your choice and report the reading on the reading report available on Blackboard. If undistracted this reading takes approximately 25-30 hours. Approximately five chapters make one percent of the assignment. See below on the Tentative Schedule of Events for due date.
  1. Reading Hill and Walton.Read this textbook, pp. 375-750, and report the pages read on the Textbook Reading Report on Blackboard. We do not cover the chapters in canonical order, but chronological.
  1. Write a double-spaced, five- to seven-page research paper on an OT topic (see suggestions below), following the guidelines in the Criswell College Manual of Style (3d edition, 2010), which is on Blackboard and at Library/research resources/Criswell College Manual of Style (CCMS). Use the footnote/bibliography reference method, not the parenthetical reference/works cited method.

There are four stages to this paper. See below and on the Tentative Schedule of Events for due dates.

Stages of phases of the paper are as follows; more detailed instructions and rubrics are available on Blackboard:

  1. Statement of topic—from the list of topics on Blackboard
  2. Presentation of bibliography
  3. Provision of introductory matter; more detailed instructions and rubrics are available on Blackboard:
  4. thesis statement,
  5. reason for the importance or interesting nature of the topic, and
  6. outline
  7. Final paper

For the grading of the paper, see the rubric on Blackboard.

Notice the following requirements:

1.No less than five pages of text in length, no more than seven pages of text.

2.Include both a title page and bibliography page—neither one counts toward the five-page minimum.

3.Sources must include at least:

a.Six scholarly sources,

b.One of the six sources must be a Bible dictionary or Bible encyclopedia,

c.At least four of the sources must have a publishing/copyright date after 1970, and

d.At least one of the sources must be a journal article. You may replace books (except the encyclopedia or dictionary) by journal articles (so could have five articles and only one book, the encyclopedia or dictionary).

e.Note that the Bible is assumed, and is not one of the six sources.

4.Note that the introduction to the paper must be no more than one-half page and include:

a.a statement of the subject of the paper (about what you are writing);

b.a statement of why you are writing on this subject (why it is important/significant/interesting);

c.a brief statement of either the thesis you are seeking to prove or the question you are trying to answer—this may be the same as the statement of the subject above, and, if so, need not be repeated;

d.a brief statement of how you are going to cover the topic in the paper (i.e., a brief outline of the stages/sections of the paper; e.g., “After first presenting the different interpretations of the Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament and the evidence for each interpretation, this study evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of each interpretation and then shows which interpretation is most defensible”; or, “The study discusses topographical features of the land of Canaan from Galilee in the north to the Negev in the south”; or “The discussion to follow first recapitulates the critical arguments against the existence of David, then recounts the archaeological evidence for David, and finally shows how archaeology refutes the critical arguments.”).

5.Regarding the body of the paper:

a.Most papers follow one of the following structures—and this relates to the proposed structure mentioned in the “how” section of the introduction above. You may find that one of these organizational methods is best for your subject:

(1)cause and effect (here is what happened A and here were the results B and this is how we know A really caused B, and here is what happened X and here were the results Y and this how we know X really caused Y);

(2)geographical sequence (territory/city/country/region A, then the adjacent territory/city/country/region B, then the adjacent…);

(3)chronological sequence (A happened, then afterwards B happened, then C happened, etc.);

(4)comparison and contrast (this is A and see how it compares/contrasts to B, then this is C and see how it compares/contrast to D, then this is E…);

(5)exposition (the text says ABCDE, and A means this, and B means this, and C means…; or people used to do ABCDE, and here is what A was and why they did it, here is what B was and why they did it …).

b.You must interact with the sources of information you use. Report what you learn from the sources, use the information, cite the sources in footnotes, draw conclusions from it, and if appropriate critique it. See the rubric.

6.The paper must have a conclusion section, which might be short as one paragraph. The conclusion must include at least a and b:

a.a brief summary concisely stating the two or three major points you made in the body of the paper;

b.your conclusion (i.e., the statement of your thesis, how and how well you have proved it; or, the answer to your question and how fully it has been answered);

c.a practical, theological, or philosophical application of your study; and

d.mention of areas of further study that surfaced in the research.

7.Select your topic from the Research Paper Topics list on Blackboard, repeated from here:

  1. List and describe ANE poetic documents from Egypt, Canaan (Ugarit), Mesopotamia (Akkadian, Babylon, Sumer)
  2. Compare an ANE poetic document(s) to an OT poetic passage
  3. Compare an ANE hymn (to a god) to a hymn in the Psalms
  4. What were the ANE beliefs about spirit beings (angels, demons, watchers)?
  5. Compare the descriptions of Egyptian maat and wisdom in Proverbs
  6. Describe ancient Israelite marriage ceremonies/wedding practices
  7. Describe non-Israelite prophets (ancient Greece, Egypt, Canaan, Mesopotamia)
  8. Give an overview of the history of the Assyrian, or Babylonian, or ancient Persian Empire
  9. Overview the life and accomplishments of some of the Assyrian (Sennacherib, Esarhaddon, Tiglat-Pileser, Asshurbanipal, Assir-nasipal) or Babylonian (Nebuchadnezzar, Nabonidus), or Persian kings (Cyrus, Darius the Great [Hystapses], Xerxes, Artaxerxes)
  10. Describe the ancient methods of divination
  11. Describe ANE method of siege warfare
  12. Describe an ancient city, such as Jerusalem, Nineveh, Babylon
  13. Describe the fall of Nineveh
  14. Describe the archaeological excavations of an ancient site (Jericho, Megiddo, Lachish, Nineveh, Babylon)
  15. Describe the Lachish Letters or Nippur Tablets (where and when found, content, etc.)
  16. Give the major interpretations of a Scripture passage (Psalm 22; Isaiah 7:14; 14:12-15; 52:13—53:12; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Daniel 9:24-27; Joel 2:1-11)

V. Grading

  1. Criswell grading scale:

A 97-1004.0 grade points per semester hour

A- 93-963.7 grade points per semester hour

B+ 91-923.3 grade points per semester hour

B 88-903.0 grade points per semester hour

B- 86-872.7 grade points per semester hour

C+ 83-852.3 grade points per semester hour

C 80-822.0 grade points per semester hour

C- 78-791.7 grade points per semester hour

D+ 75-771.3 grade points per semester hour

D 72-741.0 grade point per semester hour

D- 70-710.7 grade points per semester hour

F 0-690.0 grade points per semester hour

  1. Weighted grading

The following are the proportions of your grade for each type of assignment

1.Tests 45%

2.Quizzes20%

3.Bible Reading 5%

4.Hill & Walton10%

5.Research paper

a.Topic 1%

b.Bibliography 3%

c.Introductory matters 2%

d.Final paper14%

  1. Attendance policies

Attendance and Absences: Since class participation is vital to learning, absences should be taken only when absolutely necessary. Absences of class sessions for more than seven (7) classes for two-days-per week classes and three (3) for block classes will result in an “F” in the course. The professor and the Vice-President for Academic Affairs must approve all exceptions to this policy. Proportionate absences apply to all other terms (J-Term, summer classes, language term, etc.). Students are responsible for all absences due to illness or any other reason. Granting of excused absences is permitted at the discretion of the professor.

Tardiness: Being at least fifteen minutes (15) minutes tardy to class, or departing fifteen (15) minutes prior the end of class is considered one absence. Three instances of tardiness of fifteen minutes or less equals one absence. The tardy student is responsible for notifying the professor of his/her presence in writing at the end of class. Students who wish to depart early should clear it with the professor prior to departure.

  1. Incomplete grades

Students requesting a grade of Incomplete (I) must understand that incomplete grades may be given only upon approval of the faculty member involved. An “I” may be assigned only when a student is currently passing a course and in situations involving extended illness, serious injury, death in the family, or employment or government reassignment, not student neglect. Students are responsible for contacting their professors prior to the end of the term, plus filing the appropriate completed and approved academic request form with the Registrar’s Office. The “I” must be removed (by completing the remaining course requirements) no later than 60 calendar days after the grade was assigned, or the “I” will become an “F.”

  1. Institutional policies:
  1. You are responsible to abide by the policies presented in the "Academic Policies" section of the Criswell College Catalog ( catalog).
  1. Academic Honesty:

Absolute truth is an essential belief and basis of behavior for those who believe in a God who cannot lie and forbids falsehood. Academic honesty is the application of the principle of truth in the classroom setting. Academic honesty includes the basic premise that all work submitted by students must be their own and any ideas derived or copied from elsewhere must be carefully documented.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:

• cheating of any kind,

• submitting, without proper approval, work originally prepared by the student for another

course,

• plagiarism, which is the submitting of work prepared by someone else as if it were his

own, and

• failing to credit sources properly in written work.

  1. Learning Disabilities:

In order to ensure full class participation, any student with a disabling condition requiring special accommodations (e.g., tape recorders, special adaptive equipment, special note-taking or test-taking needs) is strongly encouraged to contact the instructor at the beginning of the course or if a student has a learning disability, please inform the professor so assistance can be provided.

  1. Auditing and Sit-in Students:

Any student may enroll in a course as an Auditor or Sit-in as long as the class is below capacity. A student’s permanent transcript will reflect which courses have been completed as audits. Sit-in students are not given grades by professors and their transcripts will not reflect enrollment in the course. Taking tests and participation in course activities are afforded to credit students in the syllabus and are at the discretion of the professor.

E.Communication Distractions:

Please turn off all phones and pagers before entering the classroom. When they ring and/or when you get up from class to leave the room to answer a call, you disturb the class and interrupt others’ concentration and learning. Tell people who might need you in an emergency to call the College switchboard and have security come to get you. This would disturb class, but it happens less frequently and is more likely a real emergency.

F.Student Dress (While on Campus):

All students are to follow The Criswell College dress code as noted in the Student Handbook. Students not in compliance to the code may be asked to leave class. The dress code reflects our intent of preparing students for leadership in ministry. Here are the basics of the dress code: Jeans and casual wear are appropriate provided that the clothing is modest and in good condition. Both men and women should avoid extremes in hairstyles and jewelry. No body piercings are allowed except women’s earrings. All students are expected to maintain proper hygiene and grooming. Shorts and tank-tops are not allowed on campus. Other inappropriate wear would include torn clothing, skimpy dresses, bare midriffs and bare shoulders.

VI.Tentative Schedule of Events:

Session / Date / Subject / Assignment Due
1 / Jan 21 / Syllabus, poetry, Job
2 / Jan 28 / Job / HW quiz: Job
3 / Feb 4 / Psalms / HW quiz: Psalms
4 / Feb 11 / Psalms, Proverbs / HW quiz: Proverbs; paper topic
5 / Feb 18 / Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs / HW quiz: Ecclesiastes; Test 1 (through Proverbs) due
6 / Feb 25 / Prophecy, Jonah / HW quiz: Prophets; bibliography
7 / Mar 3 / Amos, Hosea / HW quiz: Amos
8 / Mar 10 / Isaiah / Test 2 (through Hosea) due
Week of March 14-18: Spring Break—no classes meet
9 / Mar 24 / Micah, Nahum, Zephaniah / Introductory matters for research paper
10 / Mar 31 / Habakkuk, Jeremiah / HW quiz: Jeremiah
11 / Apr 7 / Jeremiah, Lamentations / HW quiz: Ezekiel
12 / Apr 14 / Obadiah, Ezekiel / Research paper
13 / Apr 21 / Daniel / Test 3 (through Obadiah) due
14 / Apr 28 / Haggai, Zechariah / HW quiz: Zechariah
15 / May 5 / Joel, Malachi / Hill & Walton reading
May 12 / Final exam / Final exam (through Malachi) due; Bible reading

VIII. Bibliography

Archer, Gleason L., Jr. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction. 4d ed. Chicago: Moody, 2007.

Arnold, Bill T., and Bryan E. Beyer, Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey. 2d edition. Encountering Biblical Studies, edited by Eugene H. Merrill and Walter A. Elwell. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2008.

Beitzel, Barry. The New Moody Atlas of the Bible.2d ed. Chicago: Moody, 2009.

Bullock, C. Hassell. An Introduction to the Old Testament Poetic Books. Chicago: Moody, 1979.

Coogan, Michael D. The Old Testament: A Historical and Literary Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.

Craigie, Peter C. The Old Testament: Its Background, Growth and Content. Nashville: Abingdon, 1986.

Freeman, Hobart E. An Introduction to the Old Testament Prophets. Chicago: Moody, 1968.

Gower, Ralph. The New Manners and Customs of Bible Times.2d ed. Chicago: Moody, 2005.

Harrison, Roland K. Introduction to the Old Testament. 2d ed. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2004.

Hoerth, Alfred J., Gerald L. Mattingly, and Edwin M. Yamauchi, eds. Peoples of the Old Testament World. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1999.

Kidner, Derek. The Wisdom of Proverbs, Job & Ecclesiastes. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity, 1985.

LaSor, William Sanford, David Allan Hubbard, and Frederic William Bush. Old Testament Survey. 2d ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.

Longman, Tremper, III, and Raymond B. Dillard. An Introduction to the Old Testament. 2d ed.Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006.

Matthews, Victor H., and James C. Moyer. The Old Testament: Text and Context. 2d edition. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2005.

Merrill, Eugene H. An Historical Survey of the Old Testament. 2d ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1991.

Merrill, Eugene H. Kingdom of Priests. 2d ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2008.

Schultz, Samuel J. The Old Testament Speaks. 5d ed. New York: HarperOne, 1999.

VanGemeren, Willem. Interpreting the Prophetic Word. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990.

Wegner, Paul D. The Journey from Texts to Translations: The Origin and Development of the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1999.

Wood, Leon. A Survey of Israel's History. 2d ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986.

Yamauchi, Edwin M. Persia and the Bible. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1990.

Young, Edward J. An Introduction to the Old Testament. 2d ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1964.