REL/JSP 200: The Early History of God Syracuse University Spring 2016 Whitman 003 T/Th 12:30-1:50

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1 REL/JSP 200: The Early History of God Syracuse University Spring 2016 Whitman 003 T/Th 12:30-1:50 Instructor: Michael B. Hundley Office: Hall of Languages 501B (after entering the Religion office area [501], it s on the left) Office hours: Tue. 10:30-12:00, Wed. 2:15-3:30 and by appointment Teacher s Assistant: Lauren K. McCormick lamccorm@syr.edu Office: 514 Hall of Languages Office hours: by appointment Course Texts: Required: A good, critical study/annotated Bible (New Oxford Annotated Bible; HarperCollins Study Bible; Jewish Study Bible). M. Hundley, Gods in Dwellings: Temples and Divine Presence in the Ancient Near East (Society of Biblical Literature, 2013). Other readings will be assigned throughout the semester and made available on Blackboard (Bb) and/or as class handouts. Recommended: B. Foster, Before the Muses: An Anthology of Akkadian Literature. 3 rd edition. Bethesda, MD: CDL, Course Description: Like humanity, God has a long and complicated history. In this course, we explore where and how it all began, attempting to follow the clues and unravel the mystery that is the Early History of God. We will trace the origins and development of the idea of god, especially in the ancient Middle East (but also Greece and India) with a view toward understanding the emergence of the biblical god, YHWH, who serves as the foundation of the three major monotheistic faiths. More broadly, we will explore such questions as: what is a god, why is belief in gods a nearly universal phenomenon, why do gods look different, and how (and why) do perceptions of the same god change across place and time? Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to: 1) Critically analyze orally and in writing select texts related to the divine 2) Articulate the biblical portrait of God historically and conceptually 1

2 3) Compare the ideas expressed in the Bible with select analogs 4) Discuss how the biblical presentation aligns with modern conceptions of God 5) Articulate the importance of context for interpretation, both the original context and the interpreter s context Assessment: The degree to which students achieve these objectives will be evaluated in a variety of ways (discussed below). First, all of the objectives will be assessed throughout the semester based on students performance in class, which will include the answers they give to direct questions, the comments and questions that they offer, and the contributions they make to small-group and wholeclass discussions. Second, the written assignments will demonstrate and serve as criteria for assessing students attainment of learning outcomes. Third, all questions on the final examination will also be an important indication of meeting the objectives. Course Requirements: Attendance, preparation, and participation (15% of the grade): Your engagement in class will affect not only your grade, but also the success of the course. If you are present, prepared and engaged, class will be interesting, provocative, and worthwhile, and you will do well. I truly want to hear what you have to say and will treat you and your opinions with respect. In order to participate, you have to be in class. Attendance will be taken at every meeting. Two unexcused absences are permissible; more than two will lower your grade unless you bring a compelling note from a dean, doctor, coach or employer. In order to meaningfully participate, you have to prepare. Rather than just skimming through the reading, I expect you to spend time with it; underline, take notes, analyze, ponder larger implications, and prepare to communicate what you have learned in class. As you read the primary texts (i.e., the stories themselves), keep in mind three basic questions: 1) What does the text say? 2) How does it say it? 3) Why does it say this and not something else? In class, I expect you to participate regularly, by offering opinions and asking questions. Throughout the course of the semester, you will also be expected to post regularly on Blackboard, asking questions, making comments, and simply noting what you find interesting, helpful, and/or troubling. As a general rule of thumb, you should try to post at least once a week, with a minimum of 10 posts over the course of the semester. Please post by 9:00 AM the morning of class so that I have time to review it and the opportunity to bring it up in class. Please note I am not looking for spiritual or church answers, or even the right answers. As with all literature and more so than most, the Bible allows for and even invites multiple interpretations. I expect you to think for yourselves, to analyze the text critically, and to make carefully reasoned arguments backed by evidence. You may take any position, no matter how blasphemous, provided it is empirically grounded and well-articulated. 2

3 Presentation (10%) Students, working in groups of three, will be randomly assigned a story and/or topic. They will be responsible for a minute presentation on that topic or story at the beginning of the appropriate class. Papers and Projects (25%) 1 creative god project (15%) 2 critical response papers (1-page, single-spaced) (5% each) Specific instructions will accompany the assignment of the god project and 1-page papers. For the god project, you will be given a list of possible projects to choose from (if you prefer not to do a creative project, you can write a five-page paper as an alternative). Rather than simply regurgitate the ideas of others, I encourage you to think for yourselves, be creative, trust your instincts, and let the text and your intuition take you wherever they lead. NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS ACCEPTED. Midterm Exam or Term Paper (20%) You will have the option of choosing to take a midterm exam or write a 5-page paper. Specific instructions will accompany the assignments. The midterm exam will consist of two parts: short answers and essays. Before the test, you will be given a study guide with 4 potential essay questions, 3 of which will appear word-for-word on the final exam. On the final, you will be asked to answer 2 of those 3 questions. Final Exam (30%) Like the midterm, the final exam will consist of two parts: short answers and essays. The test will be cumulative and cover both the readings and lectures. Before the test, you will be given a study guide with 5 potential essay questions, 4 of which will appear on the final exam. For the exam, you will be asked to answer 3 of those 4 questions. Grading Scale: A = C = A- = C- = B+= D+ = B = D = B- = D- = C+= F = <60 Academic Integrity: The Syracuse University Academic Integrity Policy holds students accountable for the integrity of the work they submit. Students should be familiar with the Policy and know that it is their responsibility to learn about instructor and general academic expectations with regard to proper citation of sources in written work. The policy also governs the integrity of work submitted in exams and assignments as well as the veracity of signatures on attendance sheets and other verifications of participation in class activities. Serious sanctions can result from academic dishonesty of any sort. In 3

4 this course, students found cheating on a test or assignment will receive zero (0) credit for that test or assignment. For more information and the complete policy, see Religious Observances Policy: SU religious observances policy, found at recognizes the diversity of faiths represented among the campus community and protects the rights of students, faculty, and staff to observe religious holidays according to their tradition. Under the policy, students are provided an opportunity to make up any examination, study, or work requirements that may be missed due to are religious observance provided they notify their instructors before the end of the second week of classes. For fall and spring semesters, an online notification process is available through MySlice/StudentServices/Enrollment/MyReligiousObservances from the first day of class until the end of the second week of class. Disability-Related Accommodations: Students who are in need of disability-related academic accommodations must register with the Office of Disability Services (ODS), 804 University Avenue, Room 309, Students with authorized disability-related accommodations should provide a current Accommodation Authorization Letter from ODS to the instructor and review those accommodations with the instructor. Accommodations, such as exam administration, are not provided retroactively; therefore, planning for accommodations as early as possible is necessary. For further information, see the ODS website, Office of Disability Services Other Important Notes: Please do not use phones or other hand-held electronic devices during class. If you wish to use a notebook/laptop/tablet computer during class, you must request permission in writing from me and explain how such usage will enhance your learning. You will also be required to sit in the first two rows of the classroom when using a computer. Changes to the syllabus, important announcements and other information will be sent to students via or posted on Blackboard. Please check your Syracuse and Blackboard regularly. The five best ways to ruin your class participation grade: Write, read, send, and/or receive text messages or other types of communications (e.g., , social networking, etc.) during class. Allow your mobile electronic device to ring, vibrate, or make other noises during class. Speak while another student is contributing a comment to class discussion. Leave the classroom on a regular basis while class is in session. Participate unenthusiastically in small-group discussions and activities. 4

5 Course Schedule: I. The Idea of God Tue., Jan 19 Thu., Jan 21 Tue., Jan 26 Introduction: What is a God? What is Religion? Read the Encyclopedia of Religion, Religion (First edition) ; Religion (Further Considerations) Blackboard (Bb) Origins of Religion Read Tremlin, Minds and Gods, 3-11 The Origins of Religion, II. Early Ideas of God(s) Thu., Jan 28 Tue., Feb 2 Thu., Feb 4 Tue., Feb 9 Thu., Feb 11 Tue., Feb 16 Thu., Feb 18 A Brief History of Religion Read Wikipedia, Ancient Near East What is (Israelite) History? Read Hundley, Way Forward, (Bb) Cline, The 1990s and Beyond: From Nihilism to the Present (Bb) Cline, Chart (Bb) Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) Gods Read Hundley, Here a God, 68-72, (Bb) Hundley, Gods in Dwellings, 153-7, , , ANE Gods: The Sequel Read Hundley, Divine Fluidity?, 24-5 (under subsection Competition and Character-Poaching) (Bb) Enuma Elish (Bb) Either: Baal Epic, Ugaritic Narrative Poetry, (available online through the library) Or: Smith, Myth and Mythmaking in Canaan, (Bb) ANE Goddesses Read Frymer-Kensky, Godwomen (Bb) The Egyptian Heavenly Cow (Bb) Anat and Athirat in the Baal Cycle (Bb) Ishtar in the Gilgamesh Epic (Bb) YHWH: The Biblical God YHWH Part II 5

6 Tue., Feb 23 Thu., Feb 25 Tue., Mar 1 YHWH and the Israelite Divine World Read Genesis 1:26; 6:1-2 Psalm 82, 89 Job 1-2; Zechariah 3:1-5 Deuteronomy 32:8-9 1 Kings 22:19 Exodus 12:23; 2 Samuel 24:16 Genesis 3:24 Genesis 16 Isaiah 6:1-7 1 st 1-page paper due! The Changing Perception of YHWH in History Read Isaiah Greek, Hindu, Buddhist and Native American Ideas of God Read Theogony (Bb) III. Humanity in the History of the Gods Thu., Mar 3 Tue., Mar 8 Thu., Mar 10 March Tue., Mar 22 Thu., Mar 24 Tue., Mar 29 Thu., Mar 31 Tue., Apr 5 Thu., Apr 7 Creation in the ANE Read Old Testament Parallels, 3-20 (Bb) Atrahasis (Bb) Biblical Creation Read Genesis 1-3 Midterm No Class. Spring Break. The Flood: A Comparison Reread Atrahasis Genesis nd 1-page paper due! Contracts Read ANE Treaties (Bb) Genesis 12, 15 Exodus Divine-Human Contact: Temples Human Access to the Divine: Statues Contact and Access to YHWH in the Bible Communication with the ANE Gods 6

7 Tue., Apr 12 Thu., Apr 14 Tue., Apr 19 Communication with the Biblical God Damage Control Read Foster, To Any God (Bb) Leviticus 1-16, focus on 4-5, 12, 16 When Bad Things Happen to Good People Read A Sufferer and a Friend in Babylon (Bb) Job 1-7, IV. The Continuing Adventures of the Biblical God Thu., Apr 21 Tue., Apr 26 Thu., Apr 28 Tue., May 3 Fri., May 6 Christianity God Project due! Judaism Read Baker, The Emergence of Judaism Islam Read Karen Armstrong, A History of God, (Bb) People s Perceptions of Gods How Religion Works, How People Work Final Exam 5:15-7:15 PM 7