Course Syllabus WINTER & 2 KINGS OLDT 0520 W1 ONLINE

Transcription

1 Course Syllabus WINTER & 2 KINGS OLDT 0520 W1 ONLINE INSTRUCTOR: KEITH BODNER Phone: (506) , ext Keith.Bodner@crandallu.ca; kbodner@tyndale.ca To access your course materials at the start of the course, please go to I. COURSE DESCRIPTION This course relates the history of God s people from David to the Exile. Students will read the Books of Kings to discover their thematics, structure and especially the theological messages communicated through the period of the monarchy. Critical issues, particularly the scholarly discussion concerning the rise and place of the monarchy, will be addressed. Students will gain an appreciation for the skillful theological production of these narratives and their importance to the larger canonical text. At a dark moment in Israel s history, the lost book of the Law was found in the temple. The discovery of this book ushered in an era of revival and reformation. Ironically, this story is told in 2 Kings 23, a book that itself needs to be rediscovered by a new generation of readers. This course is a recovery operation, and develops a reading 1 & 2 with sensitivity to the literary, historical, and theological dynamics of this incredible story. Starting with the death of a king, the book ends with the death of kingship, and the future of God s people hanging so it seems by a slender thread. The book of Kings has a powerful message for our contemporary world, with matters of faith often marginalized, and changing paradigms emerging. As we will discover, the establishment of the monarchy represented a crucial stage in the story of Israel, with a host of questions about leadership, divine sovereignty, identity, courage in the midst of crisis, and the drama of trust in the prophetic word. 1

2 II. LEARNING OUTCOMES At the end of the course, students should be able to: Acquire a broad knowledge of 1 & 2 Kings in terms of content, themes, and theological purposes for its composition. Describe this sweeping and expansive narrative as a sophisticated and highly nuanced work of theology, with all its attendant complexities, triumphs and tragedies. Perform competent exegesis of selected texts with sufficient literary appreciation and theological depth. Formulate initial steps toward disseminating the message of this book to various audiences in the academic world and the church. III. COURSE REQUIREMENTS A. REQUIRED READING: For the research paper in the course we will choose one of two required texts. The student can write on any topic 1 Kings 11-14, and as a principal source should use: Bodner, Keith. Jeroboam s Royal Drama. Oxford: Oxford University Press, Alternatively, a paper can be written on any topic in 2 Kings 1-9, and therefore use: Bodner, Keith. Elisha s Profile in the Book of Kings: The Double Agent. Oxford: Oxford University Press, Supplementary materials will be posted within the discussion forums, and the course bibliography can also be used for the discussion questions and for the research paper. B. SUPPLEMENTARY / RECOMMENDED READING: Various articles and secondary sources will be provided on the website for most weeks. C. ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING 1. Discussion Forums 30% 2. Research Paper 40% 3. Final Exam 30% 1. Discussion Forums During each week we will have the opportunity to engage in online class discussions of the relevant chapters under consideration. The questions in the discussion forums will also be the questions on the final exam at the end of the course. Alongside posting a response to the weekly questions, each student is expected to make a useful contribution to the discussion, 2

3 either in the form of opinions proffered, critical engagement, relevant contribution from a key secondary source, or responses to comments from the group. Assessment is cumulative, and will comprise 30% of the total grade. Discussion Forum Evaluation Rubric Weekly Discussion Forum Grading Rubric Category SCORE Completeness of post addresses none of the questions presented; far too short; nearly all are incomplete addresses less than all of the questions; shorter in length; several answers are incomplete addresses all parts of the questions; respectable length; somewhat complete completely addresses all parts of the questions; respectable length; complete response Promptness and Initiative initial posting after Tuesday; does not respond to most postings; rarely participates freely initial posting on or before Tuesday; responds to most postings several days after initial discussion; limited initiative initial posting on or before Tuesday; responds to most postings within a timely manner; requires occasional prompting to post initial posting on or before Tuesday; consistently responds to postings in a timely manner; demonstrates good selfinitiative Delivery of Post utilizes poor spelling and grammar in most posts; posts appear "hasty" errors in spelling and grammar evidenced in several posts few grammatical or spelling errors are noted in posts consistently uses grammatically correct posts with rare misspellings Relevance of Post posts topics which do not relate to the discussion content; makes short occasionally posts off topic; most posts are short in length and offer no further insight into the topic frequently posts topics that are related to discussion content; post prompts consistently posts topics related to discussion topic; cites additional references, 3

4 or irrelevant remarks further discussion of topic post prompts further discussion Expression Within the Post does not express opinions or ideas clearly; no connection to topic unclear connection to topic evidenced in minimal expression of opinions or ideas; mostly unsubstantiated opinions opinions and ideas are occasionally substantiated; stated clearly with occasional lack of connection to topic expresses substantiated opinions and ideas in a clear and concise manner with obvious connection to topic Contribution to the Learning Community does not make effort to participate in learning community as it develops; seems indifferent occasionally makes meaningful reflection on group s efforts; marginal effort to become involved with group frequently attempts to direct the discussion and to present relevant viewpoints for consideration by group; interacts freely aware of needs of community; frequently attempts to motivate group discussion; presents creative approaches to topic TOTAL 2. Research Paper Since this course is designed for those who will be involved in various levels of leadership in the church and the academy, this assignment presents an opportunity to carefully consider matters of application and relevance of the Book of Kings. This paper is to be 3500 words in length, and provides the chance to showcase research skills combined with careful exegesis and theological interpretation. A topic must be selected by week 3, and if the student is undecided, during week 2 a list of potential topics can be provided. Students may choose their own topic or ask the professor, and topics from any section within either the Jeroboam narrative or Elisha s career can be chosen. Due at the end of week 9, for 40% of the total grade. 4

5 Rubric for Final Paper Identifies Issues/Problems (if applicable) A B C D Demonstrates a Demonstrates an clear the the contemporary contemporary issue based on issue based in theological theological contemporary contemporary culture culture Demonstrates a clear and deep the contemporary issue clearly based in theological contemporary culture Demonstrates superficial the contemporary issue based on limited theological contemporary culture Connections: Theory and Practice. Makes appropriate, insightful and powerful connections between the issue/problem and the material covered. Makes appropriate and insightful connections between the issue/ problem and the material covered. Makes appropriate but somewhat vague connections between the issue/problem and the material covered. Makes little or no connection between the issue/problem and the material covered. Integration of all material covered Recommendations Accurately and precisely integrates all relevant conceptual material from the course. References clearly recognizable. Makes realistic, appropriate and insightful recommendation s clearly supported by the theological principles learnt. Accurately integrates relevant conceptual material from the course References recognizable. Makes realistic and appropriate recommendation s clearly supported by the theological principles learnt. Limited integration of conceptual material from the course References somewhat obscure and difficult to identify. Makes realistic or appropriate recommendation s supported by the theological principles learnt. Integrates few or no concepts from the course. References difficult to find. Makes realistic or appropriate recommendation s with limited support from the theological principles learnt. Incorporation of Response clearly Response Response Response 5

6 redemptive mission of God, call of the church and eschatology Deductive reasoning Formulation of Response Communication: framed in terms of God s redemptive mission, eschatology and consequent call to and mission of the church as covered in the course. Shows clear evidence of deductive reasoning. Definition of problem and response clearly derived from theology. Response clearly addresses the problem in a way that fosters transformation/r edemption based on sound theology. Clearly articulates response in language devoid of Christianeze. Response clearly directed at live audience. Truth is expressed fully and unambiguously yet graciously. framed in terms of God s redemptive mission, eschatology and consequent call to and mission of the church as covered in the course. Shows evidence of deductive reasoning. Definition of problem and response derived from theology Response addresses the problem in a way that fosters transformation/r edemption based on sound theology. Articulates response in language mostly devoid of Christianeze. Response directed at live audience. Truth is expressed unambiguously yet graciously. contains some references to God s redemptive mission, eschatology and consequent call to and mission of the church as covered in the course. Shows some evidence of deductive reasoning. Some link between definition of problem and response and theology. Reverts to inductive thinking unrelated to theology on occasion. Response addresses the problem. Response is not necessarily redemptive. Articulates response in language mostly devoid of Christianeze. Response somewhat contrived. Truth is expressed somewhat ambiguously. contains little reference to God s redemptive mission, eschatology and consequent call to and mission of the church as covered in the course. Shows little evidence of deductive reasoning. Reasoning indicates incoherent link with theology. Resorts mostly to inductive thinking unrelated to theology. Response does not address problem directly. Tends to be prescriptive and not redemptive. Language contains Christianeze. Contains ambiguity. 6

7 Adaption as opposed to adoption Message clearly adapted to perceived audience but avoids temptation to adopt cultural mindset. Clearly confronts and addresses problem without condemnation. Message adapted to perceived audience but avoids temptation to adopt cultural mindset. Confronts and addresses problem without condemnation Message somewhat adapted to perceived audience. Mostly avoids temptation to adopt cultural mindset Exhibits some accommodation with culture. Message not adapted to perceived audience. Tendency to accommodate culture and avoid presentation of the truth. 3. Final Exam To be scheduled after the completion of our last unit, this (closed book, online) exam is an opportunity for the student to share insights gleaned over the duration of the course. As mentioned above, there will be no new or surprise questions, only those encountered and discussed at length during the course. Each week we will have a series of questions in our discussion forums, and these will provide the data for the final exam: a selection of these questions will be chosen. Consequently, exam preparation should be very straightforward, as the student is simply expected to integrate our course discussions, and present final responses to the questions we have discussed together. This is an opportunity to draw all of our resources together, and share the fruits of our learning in a useful way. To be scheduled after the completion of our last unit, for 30% of the total grade. E. SUMMARY OF ASSIGNMENTS, GRADING, AND TIME EXPECTION Evaluation is based upon the completion of the following assignments: Weekly Reading and Listening (12 weeks) hours 5 hours/week Weekly Discussion (10 weeks) 25% 30 hours 3 hours/week Research paper 25% 36 hours (student schedules) Final Exam Prep 25% (student schedules) Total Grade 100 % 126 hours 10.5 hours/week (average) D. GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR THE SUBMISSION OF WRITTEN WORK For proper citation style, consult the Chicago-Style Quick Guide (Tyndale e-resource) or the full edition of the Chicago Manual of Style Online, especially ch. 14. For citing scripture texts, refer to sections to and to Academic Integrity 7

8 Integrity in academic work is required of all our students. Academic dishonesty is any breach of this integrity, and includes such practices as cheating (the use of unauthorized material on tests and examinations), submitting the same work for different classes without permission of the instructors; using false information (including false references to secondary sources) in an assignment; improper or unacknowledged collaboration with other students, and plagiarism. Tyndale University College & Seminary takes seriously its responsibility to uphold academic integrity, and to penalize academic dishonesty. Students should consult the current Academic Calendar for academic polices on Academic Honesty, Gender Inclusive Language in Written Assignments, Late Papers and Extensions, Return of Assignments, and Grading System. The Academic Calendar is posted at IV. COURSE SCHEDULE, CONTENT AND REQUIRED READINGS PART I. 1 Kings Week 1. Introduction / The Accession of Solomon (1 Kings 1-2) Week 2. Constructive Criticism (1 Kings 3-9) Week 3. Divided Heart, Divided Nation (1 Kings 10-13) Week 4. Northern Exposure (1 Kings 14-18) Week 5. Prophetic Contests (1 Kings 19-22) PART II. 2 Kings Week 6. Chariots and Fire (2 Kings 1-3) Week 7. Days of Elisha (2 Kings 4-8) Week 8. Jehu s Reign (2 Kings 9-12) Week 9. Requiem for Samaria (2 Kings 13-17) Week 10. Hezekiah s Assyrian Crisis (2 Kings 18-21) Week 11. Babylon Rising (2 Kings 22-24) Week 12. Judah s Captivity (2 Kings 25) Week 13. FINAL EXAM V. SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY Alter, Robert. The Art of Biblical Narrative. New York: Basic Books, Amit, Yairah. Reading Biblical Narratives: Literary Criticism in the Hebrew Bible. Philadelphia: Fortress, Anderson, Gary A. Sin: A History. New Haven and London: Yale University Press,

9 Ash, Paul S. Jeroboam I and the Deuteronomistic Historian s Ideology of the Founder. CBQ 60 (1998): Auld, A. Graeme. Kings. DSB. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, Avioz, Michael. The Book of Kings in Recent Research (Part II). CBR 5.1 (2006): Barton, John. Reading the Old Testament: Method in Biblical Study. Revised and Enlarged. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, Boer, Roland. National Allegory in the Hebrew Bible. JSOT 74 (1997): Bowman, Richard. G. Narrative Criticism: Human Purpose in Conflict with Divine Presence. In Judges & Method: New Approaches in Biblical Studies, 2nd ed., edited by G. A. Yee, Minneapolis: Fortress, Branch, Robin Gallaher. Jeroboam s Wife: The Enduring Contributions of the Old Testament s Least-Known Women. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, Brueggemann, Walter. 1 & 2 Kings. Macon: Smyth & Helwys, Brueggemann, Walter. Solomon: Israel s Ironic Icon of Human Achievement. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press, Cogan, Mordechai. I Kings: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. AB 10. New York: Doubleday, Coggins, Richard. On Kings and Disguises. JSOT 50 (1991): Cohn, Robert L. Literary Technique in the Jeroboam Narrative. ZAW 97 (1985): Cohn, Robert L. Convention and Creativity in the Book of Kings: The Case of the Dying Monarch. CBQ 47 (1985): Conti, Marco, ed. Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, Old Testament Volume 5 (1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther). Downers Grove, IL: IVP, DeVries, Simon J. 1 Kings. Word Bible Commentary. Vol. 12. Waco, TX: Word, Fretheim, Terence E. First and Second Kings. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, Frisch, Amos. Jeroboam and the Division of the Kingdom: Mapping Contrasting Biblical Accounts. JANES 27 (2000): Fritz, Volkmar. 1 & 2 Kings. Continental Commentary. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress,

10 Fuchs, Esther. The Literary Characterization of Mothers and Sexual Politics in the Hebrew Bible. In Women in the Hebrew Bible: A Reader, edited by Alice Bach, New York: Routledge, Gray, John. I & II Kings. OTL. 2 nd ed. London: SCM, Hendel, Ronald S. Remembering Abraham: Culture, Memory, and History in the Hebrew Bible. Oxford: Oxford University Press, Kang, J. J. The Persuasive Portrayal of Solomon in 1 Kings Bern: Peter Lang, Lasine, Stuart. Reading Jeroboam s Intentions: Intertextuality, Rhetoric, and History in 1 Kings 12. In Reading Between Texts: Intertextuality and the Hebrew Bible, edited by Danna Nolan Fewell, Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, Leithart, Peter. 1 & 2 Kings. Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos, Leuchter, Mark. Jeroboam the Ephratite, JBL 125 (2006): Linville, James R. Israel in the Book of Kings: The Past as a Project of Social Identity. JSOTSup 272. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, Long, Burke O. 2 Kings. FOTL. Vol. 10. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, Long, Jesse C. 1 & 2 Kings. College Press NIV Commentary. Joplin, MO: College Press, Matthews, Victor H. Back to Bethel: Geographical Reiteration in Biblical Narrative. JBL 128 (2009): Meier, Samuel A. Themes and Transformations in Old Testament Prophecy. Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, Mulder, Martin J. 1 Kings. HCOT. Leuven: Peeters, Nelson, Richard D. First and Second Kings. Interpretation. Atlanta, GA: John Knox Press, Power, Bruce A. All the King s Horses : Narrative Subversion in the Story of Solomon s Golden Age. In From Babel to Babylon: Essays on Biblical History and Literature in Honour of Brian Peckham, edited by Joyce Rillett Wood, John E. Harvey, and Mark Leuchter, LHBOTS 455. New York: Τ & Τ Clark, Reis, Pamela Tamarkin. Unspeakable Names: Solomon s Tax Collectors. ZAW 120 (2008):

11 Römer, Thomas C. The So-Called Deuteronomistic History: A Sociological, Historical, and Literary Introduction. London: T. & T. Clark International, Schwartz, Regina M. Adultery in the House of David: The Metanarrative of Biblical Scholarship and the Narratives of the Bible. Semeia 54 (1991): Sweeney, Marvin A. I & II Kings. OTL. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, Tomes, Roger. 1 & 2 Kings. In Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible, James D. G. Dunn and John W. Rogerson, Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, Walsh, Jerome T. 1 Kings. Berit Olam. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, Walsh, Jerome T. Old Testament Narrative: A Guide to Interpretation. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, Wyatt, Nicolas. Of Calves and Kings: The Canaanite Dimension in the Religion of Israel. SJOT 6 (1992):