nmc252h1f hebrew bible and ancient jewish...

10 Sept 2015; Subject to change

NMC252H1F (F2015) Syllabus Pg. 1 of 4

NMC252H1F Hebrew Bible and Ancient Jewish Literature in Translation

Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations University of Toronto

Fall 2015

Instructor: Philip Y. Yoo [email protected] Lecture: Mondays and Wednesdays 9-10:30am, BF 316 Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 11am-12pm, BF 413, or by appointment Course Description: An introduction to the critical study of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and related literature of ancient Jewish communities (Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, Dead Sea Scrolls). No prior work in biblical studies or knowledge of Hebrew is required. Learning Outcomes: By the end of the course, students will 1) have a basic understanding of key terms and concepts in the critical study of the Hebrew Bible; 2) discuss key narrative and legal texts recovered from ancient Israel; and 3) develop skills for interpreting the Hebrew Bible and related literature. Prerequisites: NMC104H1. Course Requirements: 1. Attendance (10%). Our meetings are enhanced by your diligent preparation, presence, and

active participation. For this reason, attendance will be taken. In order to earn full credit for attendance, preparation (bring your books to each lecture) and participation are essential. Students are permitted one unexplained absence; subsequent absences (without prior arrangements made to make up each anticipated absence) will result in a deduction that amounts to 1% of the final grade for each absence. Please note that if you miss a lecture, you retain responsibility for the materials covered in your absence.

2. Midterm Test (25%). In-class, October 19. The midterm exam will consist of short answer questions based on assigned readings and discussions from Lectures 1-9. A list of possible questions will be made available two weeks before the midterm. Computers or any electronic devices may not be used without prior arrangements through the appropriate offices and after consultation with the instructor. Midterms will be marked and returned to students before the drop date.

3. One Presentation (10%), TBA. After consultation with the instructor, students will lead a

discussion on one of the assigned readings. Leading your agreed-upon presentation does not count towards a reading report (see #4 below). A handout of no more than one page must accompany the presentation. Failure to do so will decrease the grade by 30% of the assignment (3% of the final grade). Missed presentations must be made up before the end of term.

4. Reading Reports (30%). Due before the start of Lectures 2-21 (but read on to the end).

Compose a one-page (no more than 250 words) report based on the primary and secondary readings assigned for each lecture. An outstanding report will 1) provide a concise summary of the assigned biblical and/or related literature reading; 2) identify problems or interpretative issues that arise out of the biblical readings; 3) incorporate



discussion from secondary readings; and 4) raise additional and/or unanswered questions. Please submit your reports in class. Late reports are subject to a penalty of 2% per day and the last day to submit a report is December 14. The top 15 reports will count towards the final grade.

5. Final Test (25%). In-class, December 9. The test will consist of short answer and essay

questions that draw from the assigned readings and discussion from all lectures. A list of possible questions will be made available well before the test date. More details will follow at the appropriate time.

Students are asked to keep all graded and returned tests and assignments until the end of the course.

Might miss a deadline or test? Students must request special consideration from the instructor by email only at any time before the stated deadline date and time. Supporting documentation may be required in addition to the ACORN absence declaration. Extensions and Examination Dates: Extensions of deadlines will be granted only in cases of illness or family emergency. Students are advised to declare their absence for any reason through ACORN. Extensions and/or rescheduling will not be granted to accommodate extracurricular activities or vacation travel plans. Please plan accordingly. Academic Integrity: Academic honesty holds a fundamental place in our community. An important element of academic integrity is fully and correctly attributing any materials and ideas taken from the work of others. Please familiarize yourself with Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters: www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/policies/behaveac.htm. Accessibility: Students with diverse learning styles and needs are welcome in this course. If you have a disability/health consideration that may require accommodations, please feel free to approach me and/or the Accessibility Services as soon as possible. Religious Observances: If there is any conflict between your observance of a religious holiday and the schedule of activities in this course, please let the instructor know. The information will be kept confidential if desired. Courtesy: Students are expected to arrive on time for the start of lectures and tutorials, and to remain seated until the end. Given the potential for distraction, both of yourselves and your colleagues, please refrain from using phones during our class meetings and use tablets or laptops for the sole purpose of taking notes. Audio and Video Recordings: Students may not create audio recordings of classes with the exception of those students requiring an accommodation for a disability, who should speak to the instructor prior to beginning to record lectures. Communication: Please contact the instructor and the T.A. through your utoronto.ca email address. I will do my best to reply within two business days. Announcements pertaining to this course will be sent only to your utoronto.ca address. Required Books (available for purchase at the UofT Bookstore):

- Berlin, Adele and Brettler, Marc Zvi. The Jewish Study Bible. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2014. (below as JSB)



- Brettler, Marc Zvi. How to Read the Jewish Bible. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006. (below as HRJB)

Useful, but not required for purchase, is the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), which can be accessed online at www.bible.oremus.org. Please observe all copyright laws. Finally, if you have any questions or confusion concerning the course materials or requirements, contact the instructor (sooner rather than later). If you have complaints regarding the course or if you wish to appeal a grade, I hope you will want to discuss with me first. If this does not solve the problem, contact Prof. Tim Harrison, Chair, NMC at [email protected].

Schedule September 14 1. Introduction and Contexts HRJB, pp. 1-28 and 273-278 (ch. 1-4, 27) JSB, The History of Israel in the Biblical Period” in pp. 2107-2119; “Geography of Biblical Land of Israel” in pp. 2119-2124

September 16 2. Beginnings Genesis 1-3 HRJB, pp. 29-47 (ch. 5-6) JSB, pp. 7-10

September 21 3. Ancestors Genesis 12-50 HRJB, pp. 49-59 (ch. 7)

September 23 4. Exodus Exodus 3-4; 6; 19-20 HRJB, pp. 61-72 (ch. 8) JSB, pp. 95-99 September 27 — Last day to add or change F (or Y) course

September 28 5. Cult, Ritual, and Wilderness Exodus 40; Leviticus 16; Numbers 15-16 HRJB, pp. 73-83 (ch. 9) JSB, pp. 193-195; 267-270

September 30 6. Deuteronomy Deuteronomy 1; 4; 5; 12; 31; 34 HRJB, pp. 85-94 (ch. 10) JSB, pp. 339-344

October 5 7. Joshua Joshua 1-12; 21; 23-24 HRJB, pp. 95-105 (ch. 11) JSB, pp. 439-441

October 7 8. Samuel and Judges 1 Samuel 8-2 Samuel 8; Judges 1-3; 13-21 HRJB, pp. 107-115 (ch. 12) JSB, pp. 495-497; 545-547

October 12 THANKSGIVING DAY — NO CLASS

October 14 9. Book(s) of Kings 1 Kings 1-12; 2 Kings 17-25 HRJB, pp. 117-127 (ch. 13) JSB, pp. 653-656

October 19 * MIDTERM *

October 21 10. Israelite Prophecy 1 Kings 17-2 Kings 9; Amos 1-3 HRJB, pp. 137-160 (ch. 15-16)



October 26 11. Isaiah Isaiah 1-2; 6; 7; 10; 11; 13; 20; 31 HRJB, pp. 161-171 (ch. 17) JSB, pp. 763-766

October 28 12. Jeremiah Jeremiah 1; 3; 15; 17; 20; 21; 25; 26; 28; 31; 36; 52 HRJB, pp. 173-183 (ch. 18) JSB, pp. 901-906

November 2 13. Ezekiel Ezekiel 1-11; 16; 23; 33-40; 48 HRJB, pp. 185-197 (ch. 19) JSB, pp. 1033-1037

November 4 14. Exile and Reconstruction Isaiah 40; 41; 44; 45; 49; 51; 53; 55; 63; Haggai 2; Ezra 9-10; Nehemiah 8; 13 HRJB, pp. 199-208 (ch. 20) JSB, pp. 1231-1232; 1661-1664 - November 8 — Last day to drop F courses without academic penalty.

November 9 NOVEMBER BREAK — NO CLASS

November 11 15. Chronicles 1 Chronicles 1; 5; 20; 2 Chronicles 7; 33; 35 HRJB, pp. 129-136 (ch. 14) JSB, pp. 1703-1710

November 16 16. Apocalyptic Literature Zechariah 1; 2; 5; 7; 8; Daniel 1-6; 8; 9; 12 HRJB, pp. 209-218 (ch. 21) JSB, pp. 1237-1238; 1635-1637

November 18 17. Postbiblical Literature 1 Maccabees 4:1-61; Judith 8:1-13:20; Ben Sira (Sirach) 24:1-34; 1 Enoch 6-11; 1QpHab 7-12; 1QS 3-4. JSB, “Early Nonrabbinic Interpretation” in pp. 1841-1850; “The Bible in the Dead Sea Scrolls” in pp. 1850-1859

November 23 NO CLASS (Annual Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature in Atlanta)

November 25 18. Psalms Psalms 1; 3; 6; 14; 15; 24; 53; 118; 137 HRJB, pp. 219-229 (ch. 22) JSB, pp. 1265-1269

November 30 19. “Scrolls” Song of Songs; Ruth; Esther HRJB, pp. 257-272 (ch. 25-26) JSB, pp. 1559-1561; 1573-1574; 1619-1621

December 2 20. Wisdom Literature (Part I) Ecclesiastes 1-3; 7-8; 10; 12; Proverbs 1; 3; 6; 7; 10; 22; 23; 30; 31 HRJB, pp. 231-241 (ch. 23) JSB, pp. 1437-1439; 1599-1601

December 7 21. Wisdom Literature (Part II) Job 1-5; 28; 42 HRJB, pp. 243-255 (ch. 24) JSB, pp. 1489-1495

December 9 * FINAL TEST *

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