CERRITOS COLLEGE. Norwalk, California COURSE OUTLINE ENGLISH 221A LITERATURE IN THE BIBLE: HEBREW SCRIPTURES

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1 CERRITOS COLLEGE Norwalk, California COURSE OUTLINE ENGLISH 221A LITERATURE IN THE BIBLE: HEBREW SCRIPTURES Approved by the Curriculum Committee on: February 24, 2000 Dr. Frank Mixson Professor Reviewed by: Nishi Shah/ Dr. Steve Clifford Department Chair, English David Fabish Instructional Dean, Liberal Arts Rick Miranda Vice-President of Academic Affairs/Assistant Superintendent Revised/reviewed: 2/22/96, 1/27/00, 2/24/00, 9/30/11, 8/25/17 Content review: 1/27/00, 9/30/11

2 ENGL 221A - LITERATURE IN THE BIBLE: HEBREW SCRIPTURES 2 I. Catalog description A. Course description This course is a general introduction to the literature composing the Hebrew Scriptures (more familiarly known as the Old Testament) in _ translation. Emphasis will be on understanding the Bit ;s:-: as a literary document through literary analysis, including the study of biblical genres such as history, poetry, narrative, drama, and homiletic, prophetic, apocalyptic and wisdom literature. (Formerly ENGL 21.1) B. Class hours: 3 lecture Units: 3 C. Prerequisite: Completion of ENGL 52 or ENGL 72 or ESL 152 or equivalent with a grade of C or higher, or of Pass, or completion of the placement process with eligibility for ENGL 100. Corequisite: None Recommendation: None II. Texts and other instructional materials A. Required texts Instructor may select the following or any other Cerritos College Board approved text: Coogan, Michael D., and Marc Z. Brettler, eds. The New Oxford Annotated Bible: New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha. New York: Oxford University Press, Faculty-Authored Texts: Texts approved by the English Department B. References Alter, Robert, and Kermode, Frank, eds. The Literary Guide to the Bible. Cambridge, Mass: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Charlesworth, James H., ed. The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha: Apocalyptic Literature and Testaments. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Friedman, Richard E. Who Wrote the Bible? San Francisco: Harper & Row, Gabel, John B., Charles B. Wheeler, and Anthony D. York. The Bible as Literature: An introduction. New York: Oxford University Press, 3 rd ed Ginzberg, Louis. Legends of the Jews Complete. Johns Hopkins University Press, Gottwald, Norman K. the Hebrew Bible: A Socio-Literary Introduction. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, Mays, James L. Harper's Bible Commentary: Revised Edition. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 2000.

3 ENGL 221A - LITERATURE IN THE BIBLE: HEBREW SCRIPTURES 3 II. III. IV. Texts and other instructional materials (continued) Harris, Stephen L., Understanding the Bible. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing Company, Kirsch, Jonathan. The Harlot by the Side of the Road: Forbidden Tales of the Bible. New York: Ballantine Books, Kugel, James I. The Bible as It Was. Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Laffey, Alice L. An Introduction to the Old Testament: A Feminist Perspective. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, Mitchell, Stephen. Gilgamesh: A New English Version. New York: Free Press, Moyers, Bill. Genesis: A Living Conversation. New York: Doubleday, Nelson's Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts. Thomas Nelson Publishers, Powell, Mark, ed. HarperCollins Bible Dictionary-Revised & Updated. New York: HarperCollins, Telushkin, Joseph. Biblical Literacy: The Most Important People, Events, and Ideas of the Hebrew Bible. New York: William Moorrow and Company, Inc., VanderKam, James C. The Dead Sea Scrolls Today: Revised Edition. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, C. Required materials None Course content Selected portions of the Hebrew Scriptures which are representative examples of the literary genres found in the Bible A. Myth B. Legend C. Folklore D. Narrative E. History F. Poetry G. Drama H. Essay I. Novella J. Maxim K. Prophecy L. Wisdom literature M. Apocalyptic literature Course objectives A. Recognizing the literary elements in the various Biblical selections studied: characters, plot, setting, conflict, point of view, symbol, style and theme

4 ENGL 221A - LITERATURE IN THE BIBLE: HEBREW SCRIPTURES 4 V. Course objectives (continued) B. Recognizing distinguishing characteristics of genres studied, such as wisdom literature, apocalypse, narrative, drama, essay, and poetry G. Identifying the principle divisions in the Hebrew Scriptures such as the Pentateuch, the historical books, the major and minor prophets, and psalms D. Identifying the major characters in the Hebrew Scriptures E. Differentiating between religious and literary interpretations of the Bible F. Describing and explaining background information pertaining to the ancient Middle East, such as customs, beliefs, superstitions, articles of clothing, practices of war, manner in everyday life G. Identifying the major geographical setting, such as Mesopotamia, Canaan, Egypt and the Sinai Peninsula H. Discerning the influence upon the Bible of major historical upheavals, such as Assyrian conquest and assimilation of Greek culture I. Increasing students' enjoyment of biblical literature J. Writing substantive essay responses to examination questions on the portions of the Bible studied K. Recognizing and discussing symbolism and figurative language in the Bible L. Recognizing and discussing the characteristics of biblical language and the changes in language that occur in the various biblical books VI. Assignments A. Reading 1. Selected books and chapters from the Hebrew Scriptures and apocrypha 2. Secondary sources such as scholarly Bible commentaries, historical surveys of the biblical period, and analyses of the literary character of the Hebrew Scriptures and of specific works within the Hebrew Scriptures B. Writing or problem solving or skill attainment 1. At regular intervals as determined by the instructor, student will write essays that explain, analyze, compare and contrast and/or discuss topics about the content of the Hebrew Scriptures and its literary interpretation 2. The student will prepare a research paper about the Hebrew Scriptures C. Critical thinking 1. Outlining the development and changes of recurrent biblical themes 2. Relating the historical and sociological backgrounds of the various books of the Bible to its literary interpretations

5 ENGL 221A - LITERATURE IN THE BIBLE: HEBREW SCRIPTURES 5 V. Assignments (continued) 3. Analyzing biblical selections in terms of character, plot, setting, conflict, point of view, symbols, style and theme 4. Distinguishing the characteristics of genres, such as biblical poetry 5. Evaluating the literary functions of various aspects of the biblical selections, such as the use of genealogies, comic interludes, progression of the plot 6. Inferring motives and personality attributes of characters from study of the text 7. Examining biblical stories in the light of contemporary literary theories, such as Feminist Criticism, Psychoanalytic Criticism and Reader-Response Criticism VI. VII. Methods of instruction may include A. Lecture and demonstration of biblical themes, relevant schools of criticism, structures, symbolism, historical contexts, conventional literary devices and also those peculiar to the Bible B. Discussion of Bible books, chapters, verses, and stories, and of the various ways these may be understood and interpreted C. Recorded audio, videotape and multimedia presentations relevant to the understanding of the Bible as literary art D. 35mm slide, map and picture presentations to clarify the historical, social, literary, religious, and cultural context of the Bible E. Computer assisted instruction, Internet research and multimedia presentations to enhance literary, historical and rhetorical study of biblical texts F. Instruction utilizing Electronic Information Technology (EIT) (ie., video, audio, websites, web services, and software) must comply with Cerritos College BP and AP 3720, Cerritos College BP and AP 3411 and Section 508 standards (law). When the instructor's course materials are not compatible with a student's disability, the instructor will develop an Equally Effective Alternative Access Plan (EEAAP). Methods of evaluation A. Quizzes on selected readings from the Hebrew Scriptures B. Essay examinations concerning major themes, movements, genres, characters and literary approaches to the Hebrew Scriptures C. Participation, including collaborative activities D. Oral and written reports on the interpretation or understanding of specific books or chapters of the Bible E. Research paper applying the techniques of literary criticism to a specific book, section, or genre of the Hebrew Scriptures F. Midterm G. Final examination

6 VIII. Learning Outcomes A. Students describe the historical context in which the books of the Hebrew Scripture were written. B. Students distinguish between the various genres and literary devices employed by the author(s) of the Hebrew Scriptures. C. Students recognize a variety of thematic issues as they are developed in different books of the Hebrew Scriptures. D. Students analyze specific passages and thematic issues in group discussions and analytic essays.

7 ENGL 221A - LITERATURE IN THE BIBLE: HEBREW SCRIPTURES MULTICULTURAL STATEMENT Hebrew Scriptures, which our culture usually has placed in an exclusively Western and Christian context, into its native Asian, Near Eastern, pre-christian, and often pre-jewish, cultural contexts. Influences upon the Bible from various ancient cultures, including Egyptian, Canaanite, Mesopotamian and Greek, are considered, as is the Bible's influence on Christian, Jewish and Muslim cultures and literatures.