T/RS 241Z Early Biblical Heroes and Villains (P)

TITLE OF PROPOSAL

The original, with signatures, has been sent to

Bob Spalletta, chair of the FSCC.

Type of Proposal

Program

□ New

□ Changes within Major

□ Changes within Cognate *

□ Changes in Minor or Track

□ Changes in Concentration*

□ Program Deletion

Course

XX New

□ Changes in Course taken only by Majors

□ Changes in Course required of Non-Majors*

□ Changes in Course open to Non-Majors

□ Deletion of Course taken only by Majors

□ Deletion of Course required of Non-Majors*

□ Deletion of Course open to Non-Majors

(NB: I give up trying to get this document to format properly. Either it won’t have two columns at the top or it won’t have the single column info immediately after the double column info. I have chosen to keep the two columns intact. Therefore, thesingle column additional information on the Signature Sheet follows on page 2 of this document.

- D. Germeroth)

Theology/Religious Studies Review and Approval 9/9/04______

SPONSORING DEPARTMENT (S) DATE(S)

Signature of Sponsoring Chair(s)/Date: original signed by Springs Steele on 9/9/04)

* For starred items Chairs of affected Departments/Programs must sign below before Dean’s review

Dean’s Preliminary Review Proposal:XComplete

XSatisfies U of S Curricular Requirements

XAdditional preliminary comments belowXConsistent with College Goals/Mission

Dean’s Signature/Date: original signed by D. Germeroth 11/29/04

XCAS □ CPS □ SOM □ GRAD □ DHC

Preliminary FSCC Disposition:

□ Committee recommends approval (new program proposals require a Recommendation from the full Senate)

□ Proposal will require minimal review: Anticipated FS Meeting Date:______

□ Proposal will require significant review: Anticipated FS Meeting Date: ______

FSCC Chair Signature/Date ______

Issues: ______

______

______

New Course

New Course

Course Title:Early Biblical Heroes and Villains

Course Number:T/RS 241Z Date Of Initial Offering: Spring 06 Semester Year

Rationale for

Course level

Credit Hours:___3___ Format: XXlecture lab  other: ______

Frequency:  annual each semesterXX alternate years

Prerequisites: T/RS 121 and 122 (the latter already completed, not taken concomitantly)

Rationale for

pre-requisites

(if pre-

requisites

are listed)

Special

Resources

Required

(e.g. library,

equipment,

materials/

facilities)

Characteristics (check any/all that apply):

Major: RequiredX Elective

GE :X submitted to CCC will be submitted to CCC ___9/24/04_ Area Free only

date

Interdisciplinary:  YES X NO Team Teaching:  YESX NO

Exclusively For Special Programs/Concentrations: NO X YES (Name)

HomeCollege: X CAS PCPS KSOM GRAD

Required Attachments:

XCatalog Description (fifty word maximum)

XSyllabus with student learning objectives, assessment/evaluation mechanisms, and outline of topics

X Description of, or example of, readings/papers/projects/examinations

XAssessment/evaluation based course improvement mechanisms

Catalog Description

T/RS 241Z 3 cr.

(P) Early Biblical Heroes and Villains

(Prerequisites: T/RS 121, T/RS 122) This course will be a theological study of some of the historical books of the Old Testament, especially Joshua, Judges, and the four books concerning kings. Major figures and narratives, like those of King David and the prophet Elijah, will be the main focus.

Syllabus including description of, or example of, readings/papers/projects/examinations

Dr. Susan MathewsSyllabusT/RS 241Z

1.0 Course Title and Course Description:

TITLE:EARLY BIBLICAL HEROES AND VILLAINS (P)

This biblical course will be an in-depth look at some of the historical books of the Old Testament using modern and ancient exegesis to uncover their theology. Major figures and narratives will be the focus. Some attention will be devoted to relevant historical and archaeological data, insofar as they support the theological inquiry. The books of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, and the four concerning Kings will be the main subject of study. The narratives of David and Elijah will be highlighted. [ Joshua to 2 Kings (minus Ruth) --the “Former Prophets” -- comprise the Deuteronomistic history (with Deuteronomy as the prologue), and so naturally form a unit of study. Ruth is set within the time of the judges and tells the story of a Moabite ancestress of David. These historical books deal with the period of Israel’s entrance into the land after the death of Moses until the departure from it in the Babylonian exile. ]

2.0 Course Objectives:

2.1. Students will read closely the primary biblical texts in translation, placing them in their historical, literary, and theological contexts. Students will also be introduced to important secondary literature on the historical books, both ancient and modern. Students will read extensively from this literature (that is, what is available in English), and learn to analyze and synthesize through writing various interpretations of the historical books.. GE obj. 1

2.2. Students will gain an appreciation of the historical books (Former Prophets in particular) as part of the Canon, and as part of the Catholic Tradition, including its liturgical usage. Students will also articulate the Catholic understanding of God as expressed in these texts. GE obj. 2 & 4

2.3. Using the tools, techniques and processes of biblical theologians, students will demonstrate knowledge of important theological concepts found in the historical books. GE obj. 2

2.4. Since the historical books contain a great deal of violence and a morality that is quite different from a mature Christian’s ethical code, time will be spent assessing their value for faith life today. Students will engage in detailed discussions of these texts and write analyses and arguments pertaining to major theological modes of interpetation in order to understand them. GE obj. 2 & 6

3.0 Course Topics:

3.1. Exegesis of the historical books (large sections/cycles and select narratives)

3.2. Prophecy and Kingship

3.3. The Land

3.4. Fidelity to the Word of the Lord

3.5. Violence and other difficulties with the biblical text not to be ignored

3.6. The role of the historical books in the Canon and in Catholic Tradition

4.0 Assignments:

TEXTS: 4.1 NAB or RSV, or other GOOD modern English translation of the entire Bible.

4.2 R. Nelson Historical Books (Abingdon Press)

4.3 L. Boadt Reading the Old Testament (relevant sections); C. Westermann’s Handbook to the Old Testament (relevant sections); and B. Anderson’s Understanding the Old Testament (relevant sections)

4.4 Many and varied ancient and modern commentaries on the historical books, placed on reserve in the library (see attached reserve list/bibliography)

4.5 A series of short essays will be written on various texts and topics found in the historical books. These essays will critically analyze and synthesize major theological and interpretational readings of these works, based on extensive reading and discussion. A major research paper will also be required.

5.0 Evaluation:

Short essays and a research paper, as in 4.5

6. Prerequisites: T/RS 121 and 122

7. Course Level: GE elective for Theology/Religious Studies/Philosophy

Assessment/Evaluation Based Course Improvement Mechanisms

This course will be assessed/evaluated using the standard mechanisms that the Theology/Religious Studies Department uses for its undergraduate courses.