1. Cognitive (knowledge): to further the student s knowledge of the prophetic books of the Old Testament;

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1 BTH 200-something: Prophetic Books of the Old Testament 3 Credit Hours Mary Katherine Hom, BMus, MDiv, ThM, PhD marykatherinehom777@gmail.com Winter Mini-Semester, 2013 I. Course Description A study of the prophetic literature of the Old Testament concentrating on the historical setting, literary form, content and message of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, and Malachi. This course examines the meaning of those books in their ancient context as foundational for understanding their message and theological significance for the Church and society today. [As time permits, Zechariah and Daniel will be included as well.] II. Course objectives: 1. Cognitive (knowledge): to further the student s knowledge of the prophetic books of the Old Testament; to gain familiarity with the assumptions, methods, and conclusions of modern critical scholarship on the prophetic books; 2. Affective (values): to be able to evaluate, critique, and profit from the resources available regarding prophetic literature; to develop one s ability to hear the voice of God; to develop one s ability to deliver a word from the LORD lovingly and responsibly; and 3. Conative (skills/application): to gain an understanding of the contemporary relevance of the Prophetic Books for the Church today. 1

2 III. Class Attendance & Participation Being that this is an intensive mini-semester course, attendance is mandatory for every class session (I mean, come on; why sign up for this class if you don t want to be in it?), except for family related crises or serious medical reasons. In the latter case, a physicians note will be required. IV. Course Evaluation: A. Class Participation: Approximately 37 hours of in-class participation. 5% of grade. B. Reading and Reading-based Assignments: a. 10 hrs to skim read the prophetic books to be discussed in class. There will be four quizzes to test this. 20% of grade. b. 5 hrs to read and prepare a minute class presentation on an assigned prophetic book or section of a prophetic book in the OT. You will be assigned a prophetic book or section after your responses to Message of the Prophets has been received (see next paragraph). 5% of grade. c. 20 hours for reading and typed responses to pp in chapters 1 5 of Message of the Prophets (see below, IX. Each set of responses is to be 1-2 pp. (per chapter). *Due via attachment by January 3, % of grade. C. Comparative Book Report Paper: 26 hours. Minimum of 8 pp. 40% of grade. a. Critical review of your first reading choice from list (see below, VIII. B.; reading 5 hrs; 3 pp. writing 6 hrs; total: 11 hrs) 20% b. Critical review of your second reading choice (reading 5 hrs; 3 pp. writing 6 hrs; total: 11 hrs) 20% c. Comparison of the two (2 pp. writing 4 hrs) 5% D. Final Exam: 7 hours (4 hours studying for exam; 3 hours examination). Based on class lectures and discussions. 10% 2

3 V. Time Investment: see above. VI. Grading: A % A 93-97% A % B % B 83-87% B % C % C 73-77% C % D % D 63-67% If it gets this low, we will have an empowering talk! VII. Important Notes (Good times! ;-)) a. Submissions: Hard copy only. Unless otherwise stated, all papers should be typed, in Times or Times New Roman font, size 12, double-spaced, and printed on one side of the page. b. Extensions: Unexcused missed assignments or exams will be marked as zero. c. Plagiarism: This institution is committed to fostering personal integrity and will not overlook breaches of integrity such as plagiarism and cheating. Plagiarism and cheating can result in a failing grade for an assignment, for the course, or immediate dismissal from the university college. Students are expected to be familiar with Eston College policies which deal with plagiarism, cheating, and the penalties and procedures for dealing with these matters. d. Cell phones: Must be on silent mode. If the professor deems that you prefer attending to your cell phone rather than the opportunity to engage in class, you may be immediately excused from class or the next block of class time. e. Laptops: You are welcome to use laptops in class; however, if the Professor deems that you are misusing your laptop for purposes other than those related to the class, you will no longer be permitted to use your laptop during class. 3

4 VIII. Textbooks A. Required: a. A standard, modern, English translation of the Bible (e.g., NIV, TNIV, NRSV). b. J. Daniel Hays. The Message of the Prophets. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, B. Comparative Book Report Reading List choose two of the following: Graham Cooke. Prophecy & Responsibility: A Journey into Receiving Revelation and the Process of Godly Communication. Vacaville, California: Brilliant Book House LLC, Pages vii 65. Ibid. Pages Steve Thompson. You May All Prophesy!: Practical Guidelines for Prophetic Ministry. Charlotte, NC: Morning Star Publications, Pages Kris Vallotton. Basic Training for the Prophetic Ministry. Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image, Pages IX. Pre-Class Written Assignments ( responses to: marykatherinehom777@gmail.com) Chapter 1 P. 31, Discussion Questions (DQ) #1 4 Chapter 2 P. 43, DQ #3; WA #1 Chapter 3 P. 58, DQ #1, 3; WA #1 Chapter 4 Pp , DQ #1; WA#2 Chapter 5 P. 90, DQ #1 3 4

5 X. Tentative Schedule January 7 January 8 January 9 January 10 January 11 Intro, prolegomena, review and discussion of pre-class reading and writing assignments in Hays Message of the Prophets; Isaiah Jeremiah; Ezekiel Hosea, Joel, Amos; Obadiah, Micah, Jonah, Nahum Habakkuk, Zephaniah; Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi Exam; SOTP and discussion 5