Teaching

FYS 100 HB: The Bible as Literature (4 credits)  This seminar examines the literary character of biblical narratives against the cultural background of the ancient Near East, but also with regard to our contemporary questions about meaning and purpose in life.  Class sessions are discussion-oriented.  Students are encouraged to explore ways in which these biblical narratives inform their understandings of self, other, world, and the Numinous.

Choosing a Bible for College Study

REL 213: Biblical Hebrew I (4 credits)

This course is a beginning study of the alphabet, grammar, and vocabulary of Biblical Hebrew, designed to develop basic reading competence and an understanding of the challenges of translating the Hebrew Scriptures into English.

 REL 214: Biblical Hebrew II (4 credits)

This course continues the study of Biblical Hebrew grammar and vocabulary begun in Rel 213. Students begin to translate sentences from the Hebrew Bible in this semester of study. *Prerequisite(s): REL 213.

 REL 225: The Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East  (4 credits)

This course is an introduction to the Hebrew Bible with emphasis on its ancient Near Eastern context. Primary readings will include myths, legends, laws, hymns, love poetry, and wisdom texts from the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and selected parallel texts from the ancient Near East. Class sessions include both lecture and discussion. The course satisfies the Non-Western Cultural Heritage AU and is a Guided Reseach and Writing Course. For Religious Studies majors, it is a foundational course especially for those in the Biblical Studies or Ministry Studies concentration.

 REL 226: The New Testament (4 credits)

This course is designed to introduce students to writings that are foundational for Christianity, the collection of books that came to be known as the New Testament. The course locates the texts within their first-century Mediterranean context, explores the complexity of biblical interpretation, introduces students to basic analytical tools and skills for studying the Bible, and examines the Bible’s influence on western culture. Class sessions will include both lecture and discussion. The course satisfies the Western Cultural Heritage AU and is a Guided Research and Writing Course.  For Religious Studies majors, it is a foundational course especially for those in the Biblical Studies or Ministry Studies concentration.

 REL 261: Peacemaking and Social Justice in the Bible (4 credits)

This explores the resources of both testaments of the Christian canon for peacemaking and social justice.

 REL 313: Intermediate Biblical Hebrew (Variable credit – 1-4 credits)

This course is designed to develop students’ ability to read and translate Biblical Hebrew. The class meets weekly to read, translate and discuss a short passage from the Bible. Students will prepare the passage in advance of the session. Students may choose to take this course for one to four credits, with there being one hour of class time for every credit earned. Assignments will be determined based on the number of credits chosen. The course may be repeated for a maximum of eight credits. *Prerequisite(s): REL 214.

REL 323: Women, Gender, and the Hebrew Bible (4 credits)

An upper-level seminar in biblical studies offering advanced study of selected Hebrew Bible texts that reflect attitudes about women, sexuality and gender. Readings will include selections from both the Hebrew Bible and related secondary literature. Emphasis is on the study of women and gender in the Hebrew Bible, and students will read primarily feminist scholarship. Some attention is given to gender from the perspective of the more recent fields of gender studies and men’s studies. *Prerequisite(s): REL 225.

REL 325: Seminar in Biblical Studies (4 credits)

Advanced work in the field of biblical studies. Past seminar topics: Wisdom Literature, Prophetic Literature.  Possible seminar topics: Apocalyptic, Book of Genesis, Jesus, The Bible and the Environment. *Prerequisite(s): REL 225 for seminars in Hebrew Bible; REL 226 for seminars in New Testament. This course is repeatable for credit, if taken with a new topic.