Please check Blackboard under this course at the start of the year for any revisions to the syllabus. The required books will not change.

Transcription

1 Please check Blackboard under this course at the start of the year for any revisions to the syllabus. The required books will not change. 1 Samuel (GB 5153) Hazelip School of Theology, Lipscomb University (Spring 2017) Instructor: Phillip Camp Office: Ezell 212 Phone: phillip.camp@lipscomb.edu Meeting Time and Place: Tuesdays, 4:00-7:00 in Ezell 207. Course Description: This Scripture course will provide a close study of the book 1-2 Samuel to hear it as a word of God to the student and the church. That is, the goal of the study is not simply information but, more importantly spiritual formation and transformation for the individual and the church to whom he/she bears witness. To this end, attention is given to 1-2 Samuuel's historical, literary, theological, and canonical contexts and how that ancient word to Israel intersects our world as a living word of God. Course Objectives Learning Objectives: Students completing this course will: 1. Have a mastery of the contents of 1-2 Samuel. 2. Understand 1-2 Samuel in its historical and literary contexts. 3. Be familiar with the critical issues of 1-2 Samuel. 4. Understand the place of Samuel within the OT, historical books, the OT in general, and the whole Bible. 5. Gain skills to interpret OT narrative texts. 6. Understand the theology of 1-2 Samuel. 7. Gain an appreciation for readings of the text from differing social and cultural perspectives. How Delivered How Assessed Goals Reading assignments in the biblical text, class discussion. Class lectures, assigned readings. Class lectures, assigned readings. Class lectures and discussions, assigned readings. Class lectures and discussion. Class lectures and discussion, assigned readings. Assigned readings, class discussion. Midterm and final exams, journals. Class participation, term paper, midterm and final exams. Book review, midterm and final exams. Book review, class participation, final exam. Term paper. Class participation, term paper, midterm and final exams. Class participation.

2 2 8. Be able to hear and apply 1-2 Samuel as God s word, to Christians and the church today. Assigned readings, class discussion. Class participation, journals, term paper, midterm and final exams. Required Texts: 1. Alter, Robert. The David Story: A Translation with Commentary of 1 and 2 Samuel. W. W. Norton, Note: Alter's translation will serve as the translation for this course though you may compare other translations. For testing purposes, when verses are cited, they will come from Alter. 2. Firth, David G. 1 & 2 Samuel. Apollos Old Testament Commentary. InterVarsity, Note: For the purposes of the class, you can skip the translation (unless you want to compare with Alter) and translation notes. 3. Brueggemann, Walter. David's Truth in Israel's Imagination and Memory, 2d ed. Fortress, Additional articles will be assigned some weeks. PDFs of the articles will be placed in a folder on Blackboard under the link "Articles " See the course schedule below. Course Requirements: 1. Attendance and participation. The student is expected to be present and on time for every class meeting (this includes getting back from breaks on time). Since this is a graduate class, the student is expected to contribute to the class discussion. One cannot remain silent through the class and expect to do well on this portion of the grade. Also, one cannot consistently come and return to class late and expect to do well on this portion of the grade. Please do not ask for permission to come late or leave early. 2. Journals. Most weeks (see the schedule below), the student will write a journal and post it on Blackboard under the "Journals" link. Under that link there will be assignment links for each week's journal. Click the appropriate link and post your journal by attaching a Word document. Do not type your journal into the pane on Blackboard. It must be attached as a Word document to receive credit. The journal should have the following parts: (1) Write at least 300 words giving your insights, thoughts, and applications that occur to you as you read. Do not summarize or repeat the biblical text, reflect on it. Do this exercise prior to reading the commentaries. That is, I am interested in your fresh thinking on the text. (2) After your own reflections, read the commentaries (Alter and Firth) and write at least 300 words on the commentaries. You should engage both commentaries in this part. Discuss helpful or challenging insights gained or disagreements with the commentators. Imagine yourself engaged in a conversation with the writers. Do not

3 include quotations from the commentary. Give parenthetical references, so I can look up the part you are discussing, e.g., (Firth, 100). (3) In light of parts 1 and 2, and other class materials, suggest some ways the biblical reading for the week can be heard as a word of God to the church and/or individual Christians. This part should be at least 50 words. (4) In weeks where additional articles are assigned, add a critical response to each article of at least 100 words each. Note where you agree and/or disagree with the point(s) the author makes. Post all parts in a single document on Blackboard. 10% of each journal grade will be for grammar and spelling. So please proofread. Late journals will be penalized 10 points/day. 3. Book Review. Write a word (about 4-5 pages, typed, double-spaced) book review on Brueggemann's David's Truth. You will need to: (1) state the general purpose and theme(s) of the work; (2) identify the author's method and presuppositions (be sure to read the prefaces); (3) summarize the general content and main points of the introduction, each chapter, and the conclusion; (4) indicate the strengths and weaknesses of this work. This last item should deal with the author's approach to the text, application of his method, how well he does or does not make his case, etc. It should not simply be a list of what you like and don't like about the book, though you may include that as well. The grade is based on demonstrating that the book has been read, understood, thoughtfully engaged, and thoughtfully critiqued. Note: You demonstrate that you understand the book, in part, by being able to put the author's ideas in your own words. That is, do not fill the paper with quotations from the book. The review should be posted under the "Book Review" link on Blackboard. Attach it as a Word document. Do not type the review in the pane. It must be attached as a Word document to receive credit. The review is due no later than 11:59 PM on Wednesday, April 19. Late reviews will be penalized 10 points/day. 4. Major Writing Assignment. The student will write a term paper or do some other major writing assignment. The class will have some say in the nature of this assignment, and this will be discussed on the first day of class. The paper is due no later than 11:59 PM Saturday, April 29, via . Late assignments will be penalized 10 points/day. 5. Midterm Exam. The exam will be ed to you on the Friday, Feb 23. It will cover introductory issues for 1-2 Samuel and the book of 1 Samuel. It is due, via no later than 11:59 PM on Thursday, March 2. See the guide below for the midterm and final exams. 6. Final Exam. The exam will be ed to you on the Friday, Apr 21. It will cover introductory the book of 2 Samuel and theological issues for 1-2 Samuel. It is due, via no later than 11:59 PM on Thursday, Apr 27. See the guide below for the midterm and final exams. 3

4 Grading Percentages and Grade Scale: 4 Participation, 10%; Journals, 10%; Major Writing Assignment, 25%; Book Review 5%; Midterm Exam 25%; Final Exam, 25%. Grade scale: % = A; 92-83% = B; 82-70% = C; below 70% = F NOTE: No Incompletes will be given except for extreme emergency for the student or his/her immediate family. Failure to turn in any assignment will result in a grade of no better than C for the course. Academic Integrity: In keeping with our identity as a Christian University and our goal to help shape lifelong disciples of Christ, academic integrity will be taken very seriously in this class. Unless specific permission is given to collaborate on assignments with other students, each student's work shall be his/her own. Cheating on exams or assignments and plagiarizing on written assignments will, depending on the severity of the case, result in penalties ranging from a significantly reduced grade on the assignment to failing the course. Instances of cheating or plagiarism may also be reported to appropriate members of the administration, depending on the situation. Decisions in these matters rest with the instructor. For information on Lipscomb s policies and procedures see the Academic Integrity page on Lipscomb s website ( Dropping the Course: A decision to stop participating in the class or to not turn in assignments does not constitute dropping the course. Please see the "Graduate Catalog" for the official policies and procedures for dropping a course. If a student's name appears on the roster at grading time and the course has not been officially dropped, he/she will receive a grade based on the course requirements and grading percentages above. Students Requiring Accommodations: If you require accommodations for a documented disability, please discuss your circumstances with the instructor ASAP, preferably prior to the beginning of class. If you are entitled to accommodations but have not yet registered with the Counseling Center, contact that office immediately at

5 Course Schedule 5 Before coming to class each week, carefully read the biblical text in Alter's The David Story, and read the corresponding sections of Alter's commentary under his translation and Firth's commentary, 1 & 2 Samuel. Also read and/or watch any additional materials listed. Jan 12 Introduction to 1-2 Samuel; 1 Samuel 1-3 Also Read: The introductions to Samuel in Alter and Firth. O'Day, Gail. "Singing Woman's Song: A Hermeneutic of Liberation." Currents in Theology and Mission 12 (1985): (PDF) Jan 19 1 Samuel 4-7 Jan 26 1 Samuel 8-12 Feb 2 1 Samuel Feb 9 1 Samuel Feb 16 1 Samuel Also Read: Carman, Amy Smith. "Abigail: The Wise Woman of Carmel." Stone Campbell Journal 18 (2015): (PDF) Feb 23 1 Samuel Mar 2 The Midterm Exam is due, via no later than 11:59 PM. Class will not meet this week. Mar 9 2 Samuel 1-5 Mar 16 Spring Break. Class will not meet. Mar 23 2 Samuel 6-9 Also Read: Long, Thomas G. "The Fall of the House of Uzzah and Other Difficult Preaching Texts," Journal for Preachers (1983): White, Ellen. "Michal the Misinterpreted," Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 31.4 (2007): (PDF) Mar 30 2 Samuel Also read: Jacobson, Diane, "Remembering Tamar," Word & World 24:4 (2004): (PDF) Garland, Diana R. and David E. Garland, "Bathsheba's Story: Surviving Abuse and Loss," Family and Community Ministries 21:3 (2008): (PDF)

6 Camp, Phillip, "David s Fall: Reading 2 Samuel in Light of Genesis 2-4," Restoration Quarterly 53:3 (2011): (PDF) 6 Apr 6 2 Samuel Apr 13 2 Samuel Apr 20 Theology of 1-2 Samuel; Course Conclusion Keep in mind that your book review is due the day before, by 11:59 PM, Wed, Apr 19. Apr 27 The Final Exam is due via by 11:59 PM. Class will not meet. Saturday, Apr 29 The Major Writing Assignment is due via by 11:59 PM. Bibliography for 1-2 Samuel Commentaries Alter, Robert. The David Story: A Translation with Commentary of 1 and 2 Samuel. New York: W. W. Norton, Anderson, A. A. 2 Samuel. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word Books, Arnold, Bill T. 1 & 2 Samuel. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Auld, A. Graeme. I & II Samuel. Old Testament Library. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, Baldwin, Joyce G. 1 & 2 Samuel: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVaristy, Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, Birch, Bruce C. "1 & 2 Samuel." The New Interpreter's Bible. Vol. II. Nashville: Abingdon, Brueggemann, Walter. First and Second Samuel. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. Louisville: John Knox, Cartledge, Tony W. 1 & 2 Samuel. Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary. Macon, Ga.: Smyth & Helwys, Chisholm, Robert B., Jr. 1 & 2 Samuel. Teach the Text Commentary Series. Grand Rapids: Baker, Evans, Mary J. 1 and 2 Samuel. New International Biblical Commentary. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, Firth, David G. 1 & 2 Samuel. Apollos Old Testament Commentary. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, Gordon, R. P. 1 and 2 Samuel. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986.

7 7. 1 & 2 Samuel. Old Testament Guides. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1984, Hertzberg, Hans W. I & II Samuel. Old Testament Library. Philadelphia: Westminster, Jobling, David. 1 Samuel. Berit Olam. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical, Klein, Ralph W. 1 Samuel. Word Biblical Commentary. Waco: Word Books, McCarter, P. Kyle, Jr. I Samuel: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Anchor Bible. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, II Samuel: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Anchor Bible. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Morrison, Craig. 2 Samuel. Berit Olam. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical, Peterson, Eugene H. First and Second Samuel. Westminster Bible Companion. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, Polzin, Robert. Samuel and the Deuteronomist. San Francisco: Harper & Row, David and the Deuteronomist. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, Smith, James E. 1 & 2 Samuel. College Press NIV Commentary. Joplin, Mo.: College Press, Tsumura, David T. The First Book of Samuel. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Works on the Deuteronomistic History Campbell, Antony F. and Mark A. O'Brien. Unfolding the Deuteronomistic History: Origins Upgrades, Present Text. Minneapolis: Fortress, Fretheim, Terence E. Deuteronomistic History. Nashville: Abingdon, Knoppers, Gary N. and J. Gordon McConville. Reconsidering Israel and Judah: Recent Studies on the Deuteronomistic History. Sources for Biblical and Theological Study, vol. 8. Winona Lake, Ind.: Eisenbrauns, McConville, J. Gordon. Grace in the End: A Study in Deuteronomic Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Nelson, Richard D. The Historical Books. Interpreting Biblical Texts. Nashville: Abingdon, Noth, Martin. The Deuteronomistic History, 2d ed. JSOT Supplement Series, vol. 15. Sheffield: JSOT Press, Works on David Achtemeier, Paul J., ed. "The Figure of David." Interpretation 40 (1986). [the entire issue is

8 8 dedicated to the figure of David]. Brueggemann, Walter. David's Truth in Israel's Imagination and Memory, 2d ed. Minneapolis: Fortress, Halpern, Baruch. David's Secret Demons: Messiah, Murderer, Traitor, King. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, McKenzie, Steven L. King David: A Biography. New York: Oxford University Press, Pinsky, Robert. The Life of David. New York: Schocken, 2005.