HS 332-201: Women in the Bible (ONLINE)
Fall 2016
Dana Margolis
Office Hours: T/R 10am – 11am by appt (CRT 872)
Course Objectives:
This course offers a rich perspective on the Hebrew Bible by focusing on the women featured throughout its pages. Through studying the primary sources, Midrash, ancient and modern commentaries we will spend the semester attempting to answer the following questions and more:
• Who were these women?
• What were their stories?
• What did they think, do, and feel?
• What were their challenges?
• What were their strengths? What were their weaknesses?
• How did they affect their families, societies and future generations?
• How can we apply the lessons from their lives to our own?
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) fashion, 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 in the form of a study guide. 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. You will be charged an additional shipping/handling fee of approximately $8.
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. Moses’ Women by Shera Aranoff Tuchman and Sandra E. Rapoport
Available at the UWM Bookstore or can be ordered online. This text will not be used until approximately the middle of the semester.
Method of Assessment:
1. Quizzes:
1. Syllabus Quiz (2 points)
A short quiz designed to ensure comprehension of the course expectations as laid out in the Course Syllabus.
2. Bible Basics Quiz (20 points)
Covers the material presented in the first few weeks of the course that provides an overview of the Biblical text from the Story of Creation through the 2nd Temple Period.
3. Biblical Portrait Short Quizzes (5 points each X 7 quizzes = 35 points)
Short 5 question/10 minute quizzes that cover basic knowledge of the stories surrounding each of the Biblical women discussed. Students should read each Woman’s story in the Biblical Text and become very familiar with it, and then take the quiz. The quiz will cover basic info such as general story lines, basic character information, family relationships, the chapter and verses of the stories and more. You may look through your text as you take the quiz, but you should have enough familiarity with the basics of each story to not need more than 10 minutes for each quiz. The format of the quiz will be True/False or Multiple Choice questions. IMPORTANT NOTE: No late quizzes will be accepted, however your lowest quiz grade will be dropped.
4. Biblical Portraits Final (20 points)
The final quiz is designed to test your knowledge of the Biblical characters covered throughout the semester; their stories, their lessons, their experiences, their families, their roles in the stories and the impact they left on the world. The quiz is approximately 20 questions – True/False and Multiple Choice.
2. Assignments:
1. Introductory Assignment: 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, conceptions and/or stereotypes of Biblical Women 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. (4 points)
2. Study Guides: The Biblical Portraits unit of the course is comprised of eight mini – learning modules (plus an optional one for extra credit) that each covers one Biblical woman*. These Study Guides are to be completed in 3 Phases:
1. Each student, on his/her own should complete the Short Quiz for each Biblical Portrait module as described in the Quiz Section above.
2. 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 group will work together to develop thoughtful and thorough answers to selected questions by posting answers and responses within their small groups. These collective postings constitute a rough draft that will form the basis for completing the study guide for each Biblical Portrait. Students will be graded on their initial posts and their responses. The small groups will be shuffled several times throughout the semester.
3. After the initial Discussion Group postings (rough drafts) of the study guides have been completed, the Instructor will post 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.
VERY IMPORTANT:
For a more detailed explanation of the Discussion Groups and how to complete the Study Guides, please read the “Instructions for Completing Study Guides” posted under Content in the ‘Biblical Portraits’ Module.
Please refer to the Course Syllabus and/or the links to each Discussion/Dropbox listed under the Content Tab for specific due dates for each assignment.
Students can opt out of completing one study guide per semester. In other words, only 7 out of 8 study guides will be calculated in your final grade. Additionally, students have the option of completing a Study Guide for the Biblical character, Esther, towards the end of the semester for extra credit.
Discussion Groups = 10 pts
Final draft = 10 pts
20 pts each X 7* study guides = Total of 140 pts
*Students are only required to turn in 7 out of 8
3. Presentation: Students will work in small groups to prepare a presentation on a Biblical character not yet covered. 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 women. Students will be required to present a study guide to the rest of the class and then respond to 4 other presentations. The Study Guide will be worth 12 points and each of the four responses is worth 2 points for a total of 20 points.
A complete explanation of this assignment will be posted under the Content Tab in D2L.
Summary of Assessment:
1. Introductory Assignment / 4 points2. Syllabus Quiz / 2 points
3. Bible Basics Quiz / 20 points
4. Biblical Portraits – Short Quizzes / 35 points
3. Biblical Portraits – Study Guides / 140 points
4. Presentation / 20 points
5. Final Quiz / 20 points
Total / 241 points
Extra Credit Opportunities (Optional):
Mid – Semester Self Assessment / 2 pointsEsther Study Guide / 10 points
Grading Scale:
Grade / % / PointsA / 92-100 / 221-241
A- / 89-91 / 214-220
B+ / 86-88 / 207-213
B / 82-85 / 197-206
B- / 79-81 / 190-196
C+ / 76-78 / 183-189
C / 71-75 / 171-182
C- / 68-70 / 163-170
D+ / 65-67 / 156-162
D / 62-65 / 149-155
D- / 59-61 / 142-148
F / <59 / <142
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: September 6 - 11 / Introduction / Course Syllabus & Remember the Human on D2L / ✓ Initial Post: Thurs, 9/8 by midnight
✓ 2nd Post: Sun 9/11 by midnight
✓ Short quiz on Syllabus: Sun 9/11 by midnight
✓ Bible Basics
Weeks 2 & 3:
September 12 – 25 / Why Study Women in the Bible?/Intro to the Hebrew Bible / Reader: 1 – 23
D2L Notes / ✓ Quiz #1 Bible Basics
Open: Wednesday 9/21 @8am - Sunday 9/25 @midnight.
Creation to Exodus / Reader: 27 – 36
D2L Notes
Exodus & The Wilderness / Reader: 36 – 47
D2L Notes
Judges & the Early Prophets / Reader: 47 – 72
D2L Notes
Kings – 2nd Temple Era / D2L Notes
✓ Portraits of Biblical Women
✓ (RD = Rough Draft, SG = Final Study Guide, SQ = Short Quiz)
Week 4:
September 26 – October 2 / Methodology
Eve – Chava: The Mother of Life / Instructions for Study Guides
D2L Notes
Genesis 1-2,4-5
Reader: 74 - 110 / ✓ Eve RD: Wed 9/28 by 9am
✓ Eve SQ: Wed 9/28 by 9am
✓ 2 Responses: Thurs 9/29 by 9am
✓ Eve SG: Sun 10/2 by midnight
Week 5: October 3 - 9 / Sarah: The Ultimate Partner/Mother of Nations / Genesis 11-12,16-18,20-21,23
Reader: 111 - 130 / ✓ Sarah RD: Wed 10/5 by 9am
✓ Sarah SQ: Wed 10/5 by 9am
✓ 2 Responses: Thurs 10/6 by 9am
✓ Sarah SG: Sunday 10/9 by midnight
Week 6:
October 10 - 16 / Rebecca / Genesis 22,24-27
Reader: 131 - 146 / ✓ Rebecca RD: Wed 10/12 by 9am
✓ Rebecca SQ: Wed 10/12 by 9am
✓ 2 Responses: Thurs 10/13 by 9am
✓ Rebecca SG: Sun 10/16 by midnight
Week 7 & 8:
October 17 - 30 / Rachel & Leah: Sisters & Wives
Bilha & Zilpah: Maidservants / Genesis 29-31, 35, 49
Reader: 147 - 168 / Modified Schedule due to Jewish Holidays
✓ Rachel & Leah RD: Thurs 10/20 by 9am
✓ Rachel & Leah SQ: Tues 10/25 by 9am
✓ 2 Responses: Wed 10/26 by 9am
✓ Rachel & Leah SG: Sun 10/30 by midnight
Mid-Semester Self Assessment
OPTIONAL - 2 POINTS EXTRA CREDIT / Due 11/1/2016 by midnight in the Dropbox
Week 9 & 10:
October 31 - November 6 / Intro to the Women of the Exodus
Yocheved (Jochebed) / Exodus 2; Numbers 26: 57 - 62
Reader: 174 - 176
Moses’ Women** / Slightly Modified Schedule
✓ Yocheved RD: Tues 11/1 by 9am
✓ Yocheved SQ: Tues 11/1 by 9am
✓ 2 Responses: Wed 11/2 by 9am
✓ Yocheved SG: Sun 11/6 by midnight
Week 11:
November 7 - 13 / Miriam / Exodus 15; Numbers 12,20;
Reader: 169 - 172, 179 - 182
Moses’ Women** / ✓ Miriam RD: Wed 11/9 by 9am
✓ Miriam SQ: Wed 11/9 by 9am
✓ 2 Responses: Thurs 11/10 by 9am
✓ Miriam SG: Sun 11/13 by midnight
Week 12:
Nov 14 -20 / Deborah / Judges 4-5
Reader: 185 - 198 / ✓ Deborah RD: Wed 11/16 by 9am
✓ Deborah SQ: Wed 11/16 by 9am
✓ 2 Responses: Thurs 11/17 by 9am
✓ Deborah SG: Sun 11/20 by midnight
Week 13:
Nov 21 - 27
ThanxGiving
(Nov 23 - 27) / Esther (Optional)
WORK ON GROUP PROJECTS / Book of Esther
Reader: 215 – 226
OPTIONAL / Esther Module is OPTIONAL
✓ There will be NO discussion postings or quiz. The Study Guide will be accepted no later than 12/6 @ midnight.
Week 14:
Nov 28 - Dec 4 / Ruth / Book of Ruth
Reader: 201 - 212 / ✓ Ruth RD: Wed 11/30 by 9am
✓ Ruth SQ: Wed 11/30 by 9am
✓ 2 Responses: Thurs 12/1 by 9am
✓ Ruth SG: Sun 12/4 by midnight
Week 15 & 16:
Dec 5 – 18
Dec 14 (last class day) / Group Projects
Final Exam / Research on your selected Biblical woman / ✓ Study guide due by Thurs 12/8 at midnight.
✓ 4 Responses due by Mon 12/12 at midnight.
✓ Final Quiz open Sunday 12/11 @8am – Friday 12/18 at midnight
**See individual study guides for specific page numbers & chapters in Moses’ Women