Joseph: A Biblical Psychological Thriller—Humanities 350
Professor David Brusin—Fall 2017
(414) 962-9212
COURSE DESCRIPTION
We will engage in a close reading of a very complicated and subtle text, the biblical story of Joseph [Genesis 37 – 50], paying careful attention to critical biblical motifs and themes such as dreaming and dream-interpretation, sibling rivalry, honesty and dissembling, real power and impotence. We’ll also be investigating how Joseph’s struggles with his family are archetypes mirroring our own struggles.
How dreams function in the Hebrew Bible, and in the Joseph narrative in particular, will be analyzed in relation to Freud’s groundbreaking study, The Interpretation of Dreams, at the turn of the century. We’ll also compare the biblical story with other modern iterations such as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Thomas Mann’s Joseph and His Brothers.
The course will challenge students to approach the Joseph narrative open to the treasures that come with a fresh encounter with a biblical text unencumbered by religious assumptions or baggage. At the same time, we will trace the impact the Joseph story had on rabbinic Judaism and on Christianity; in addition, we’ll examine parallels in the ancient world such as “The Tale of Two Brothers” [a 13th century BCE Egyptian text] and “The Tradition of Seven Lean Years”[an Egyptian text of uncertain antiquity].
Like other biblical stories, the Joseph narrative is a composite of multiple authors. Yet it is also the longest, most intricately constructed, integrated and sustained of all the patriarchal and matriarchal histories.
To get a sense of the richness, difficulty and complexity of Genesis, we’ll begin by considering a much shorter, though no less fascinating narrative: the first creation story in Genesis 1:1 – 2:4a [with a brief look at the second creation story].
The remainder of the semester will be spent following the psychological and dramatic twists and turns Joseph’s life takes in his relations with his brothers and father, his Egyptian wife, his two sons, and Pharaoh and his court.
REQUIRED BOOKS
Robert Alter, Genesis: Translation and Commentary, W.W. Norton & Company, New York, 1996 [ISBN 978-0-393-31670-4], paperback [Plenty of inexpensive copies available from online booksellers; but it can take several weeks so order early.]
Alan T. Levenson, Joseph: Portraits Through the Ages, The Jewish Publication Society, Philadelphia [ISBN 9780827612501], cloth: $32.95 [You can purchase a used copy or an e-book at Amazon for much less. Order soon so it arrives in time.]
[Books Available Only At the Panther Bookstore—formerly the Neebo Bookstore, 3132 N. Downer--on the corner of Hampshire and Downer]
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
This class is a seminar; regular attendance is therefore crucial, as is active engagement and participation in discussions and analysis.
Students will keep a journal, turned in every three weeks, commenting on and responding to the reading, class activities, student presentations and class discussions.
Three Reflection Papers, about three pages each, will be required. Two of these papers can be revised and resubmitted for a higher grade.
Students will give one individual oral presentation, about twenty minutes in length, on an assigned chapter in the Joseph narrative.
Finally, Small Groups will be formed and assigned specific topics to be presented to the class.
GRADING
Three Reflection Papers: 30%
Journal: 20%
Individual Presentation: 30%
Small Group Presentation: 20%
CLASS SCHEDULE, READING AND ASSIGNMENTS
Week #1 – Intro & Logistics/Reading an Ancient Text and Historical Context
[9/6] Reflection Papers, Grading, Assignments, Individual Presentations,
Getting on the same page, etc.
Film: Who Wrote the Bible?
Excerpts from Enuma Elish, The Babylonian
Creation Epic [For Next Week]
Week #2—How to Read an Ancient Biblical Text: Creation Narratives
[9/11 & 9/13] Reading: Genesis: Translation and Commentary,
GENESIS AS A BOOK, pp xxxix – xlvii, ABOUT THE
COMMENTARY, pp xlix – l, Genesis 1:1 – 4:26
Joseph: Portraits Through the Ages [hereafter JPTA], Introduction xv – xxvii
and Excerpts from Enuma Elish:
The Babylonian Creation Epic [handout]
Week #3—Joseph the Dreamer: Favored Son, Hated Brother
[9/18 & 9/20] Reading: Genesis, Chapter 37
JPTA. Chapters 1 & 2
Individual Presentation #1 on 9/18
Journal Due on 9/20
Week #4—Tamar, A Reluctant Hero
[9/25 & 9/27] Reading: Genesis, Chapter 38
JPTA, Chapter 3
Individual Presentation #2 on 9/25
Study Group #1—Thomas Mann’s Reinvention of Tamar—9/27
Week #5—Potiphar’s Wife Has Eyes for Joseph
[10/2 & 10/4] Reading: Genesis, Chapter 39
JPTA, Chapter 4
Individual Presentation #3 on 10/2
First Reflection Paper Due Week #5—10/2 or 10/4
Study Group #2—Tale of Two Brothers on 10/4
Week #6—Joseph Interprets the Dreams of The Cupbearer and the Chief Baker
[10/9 & 10/11] Reading: Genesis, Chapter 40
JPTA Chapters 2 [pp 33 – 36] & 5
Individual Presentation #4 on 10/9
Journals Due on 10/11
Week #7—Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams and is Rewarded
[10/16 & 10/18] Reading: Genesis, Chapter 41
JPTA Chapters 2 [pp 39 – 47] & 5
Individual Presentation #5 on 10/16
Study Group #3— The Tradition of Seven Lean Years on 10/18
Week 8—Testing, Dreaming, Punishing
[10/23 & 10/25] Reading: Genesis, Chapter 42
JPTA Chapter 6
Individual Presentation #6 on 10/23
Study Group #4—Freud’s Understanding of Dreams in
Light of Joseph on 10/25
Week #9—Judah Emerges as Leader
[10/30 & 11/1] Reading: Genesis, Chapter 43
JPTA, Chapters 6 & 7
Individual Presentation #7 on 10/30
Second Reflection Paper Due Week #9—10/30 or 11/1
Journals Due on 11/1
Week #10—Joseph’s Motives and Judah’s Courage
[11/6 & 11/8] Reading: Genesis, Chapter 44
JPTA, Chapter 7
Individual Presentation #8 on 11/6
Week #11—Joseph Finally Reveals His Identity
[11/13 & 11/15] Reading: Genesis, Chapter 45
JPTA, Chapter 7 [pp 149 – 152]
Individual Presentation #9 on 11/13
Week #12—Awkward Reunions: Jacob and Joseph Meet
[11/20] Reading: Genesis, Chapter 46
Individual Presentation #10 on 11/20
Third Reflection Paper Due Today—November 20
Journals Due on 11/20
Thanksgiving Break—No Class Wednesday, November 22
Week #13—Awkward Reunions: Jacob and Pharaoh Meet
[11/27 & 11/29] Reading: Genesis, Chapter 47
Individual Presentation #11 on 11/27
View Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for 11/29
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnPClWznEY4&t=1705s
Study Group #5 Presents on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Film on 11/29
Week #14—Jacob Returns to Center Stage
[12/4 & 12/6] Reading: Genesis, Chapter 48
JPTA, Chapter 9
Individual Presentation #12 on 12/4
Week #15—Jacob’s Valedictory, Joseph’s Standing In Egypt, Joseph’s Death
[12/11/& 12/13] Reading: Genesis, Chapters 49 & 50
JPTA, Chapters 10 & 12
Individual Presentation #13 on Chapter 49—12/11
Individual Presentation #14 on Chapter 50—12/13
Journals Due on 12/11
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