Calumet College of Saint Joseph

Syllabus for Introduction to the Old Testament

Term: Fall 20= 10

Course Number: RLST 310-X

Instructor: <= /b>Reverend Alphonse Spilly, C.PP.S., Ph.D.

Office: <= span style=3D'mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>Room 502

Office phone:= 473-4351

E-mail: = aspilly@ccsj.edu

Home phone: <= /b>(219) 659-7398

Office hours:= Thursdays, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. or by appointment

Instructor Background:

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   B.A., Philosophy, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio (1962)

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;       M.A., Theology, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio (1967)

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;       Ph.D., Biblical Studies, Univers= ity of Chicago (1977)

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;       Instructor, Saint Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, Indiana (1967-1968, 1972)

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;       Assistant Professor, Catholic Theological Union, C= hicago (1972-1984)

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;       Assistant Professor, Mundelein Seminary, Mundelein, Illinois (1980-1985)

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;       Associate Professor, Calumet College of Saint Joseph (2002-     )

Special As= sistant to the Archbishop of Chicago (1984-1999)

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;       Director, Joseph Cardinal Bernardin<= /st1:PlaceName> Center for Theology= and Ministry

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;               &= nbsp;   at Catholic Theological Union, Ch= icago (1999-2001)

Course Time: = Thursday, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Course Description: This course = will explore the Old Testament with a special attention to the historical and cultural context in which the various books developed. Introducing and using modern criti= cal tools for studying scripture, the course will survey the Pentateuch (the fi= rst five books of the Bible), the historical books, the prophetic and wisdom literature, and will raise questions concerning the theological meaning of = the Old Testament both then and today.

Prerequisite:= RLS 130 (Introduction to Religious Studies)

Textbooks:

Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction, by Lawrence Boadt (New York: Paulist Press, 1984) (abbreviation: RTOT)

   &nbs= p;        Bible (any Bible, The New American Bible preferred)

   &nbs= p;        Class Notes

Learning Outcomes/Competencies:

This course will:

·         introduce you to the broad framework of the = Old Testament within its historical, literary, religious, and canonical setting; this understanding will include

Þ    a general knowledge of the historical periods covered by the Old Testament,

Þ    a basic chronology of the formation of the O= ld Testament and its individual books or traditions,

Þ    a familiarity with the various kinds of literature included in the Old Testament, and

Þ    an awareness of the various senses of “history” within the Old Testament;

·         help you to examine in an initial way the contents of the entire Old Testament;

·         have you compare and contrast different cult= ural perspectives between the times of the Old Testament and today;

·         help you to acquire new perspectives on the interpretation of Scripture; and

·         provide you with an opportunity to reflect i= n a systematic or analytical way on the significance of the Old Testament for today;

You will:

·         listen actively, intelligently, critically, = and empathetically;

·         summarize, paraphrase, synthesize, and evalu= ate source material;

·         assess the assumptions and implications of different approaches to interpreting the Bible.

Learning Stra= tegies: reading, thinking, reflecting, q= uestions, discussions, and summary papers.

Means by which competencies will be assessed:

        &= nbsp;

Diagnostic assessment

·         weekly summaries of learning experience.

   &nbs= p;        Formative assessment

·         reading and note taking

·         weekly class discussions

Summative assessment

·         weekly papers: summaries of material covered each week.

Assessment:

Twelve (12) reflective paper= s of at least 250-words each, summarizing what you learned each week from reading and/or class discussions. The instructor will provide questions that are to be answered in the weekly papers. 8.5 points each =3D 100% of grad= e.

Class Policy = for Weekly Assignments    &= nbsp;

All = papers are to be typewritten. Double= -space the paper, preferably using New Times Roman, font 12. Include at the top of the pages yo= ur name, date, course, and topic.

All reflective papers are due the week following the class discussion. All late papers receive an automat= ic deduction; that is, papers handed in late lose 1.5 points.

Grading Scale= :

        &= nbsp;

A   =3D 100-92 points

A-&n= bsp;   =3D 91-90 points

B+ =3D 89-88 points

B   =3D 87-82   points

B-&n= bsp;   =3D 81-80 points

C+ =3D 79-78 points

C   =3D 77-72   points

C-&n= bsp;   =3D 71-70 points

D+ =3D 69-68 points

D   =3D 67-62   points

D-&n= bsp;   =3D 61-60 points

F =3D 59 points and below.

Class Policy = on Attendance:

Show up for class and participate. Missing a class mor= e than twice means you will automatically be put on Academic Alert and may be drop= ped from the class (by administrative withdrawal). Please be on time as a courtesy to= all your classmates. Being on tim= e for class and staying for the entire session gains 1 point. Absence from class loses 1 point. Being late or leaving early earns no points.

Academic Alerts

In an effort to keep you informed of serious problems affecting your ability to pass this course, students who are in jeopardy of not passing may receive an Academic Alert to notify them of the situation and the remedial actions they should take to put them in good academic standing.

Administrative Withdrawal

To protect a student from failing a course, a faculty member may initiate an administrative withdrawal of a student who misses two or more consecutive weeks of classes.

Class Policy on Discipline and Electronic Devices:<= o:p>

Your classmates are here to learn, and many are making great sacrifices to get a college education. Disruptions affect everyone, and d= isruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Take care of restroom needs before class begins; we will take a break midway through each session. = All cell phones, beepers, pagers, etc. should be turned off and stored out of s= ight during class. The instructor = will be notified regarding any exceptions that may be required due to family responsibilities.

COURSE SCHEDU= LE:

CLASS DATES        TOPICS/ASSIGNMENTS

September 9  = ;            &n= bsp; Introduction

September 16 &nbs= p;            Pentateuch / Genesis

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Read RTOT pp. 89-154. [If you have time, also pp. 11-88]

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Read Genesis 1—11; 12—15; 17—31; 39—45

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       First summary paper due

September 23 &nbs= p;            Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Read RTOT pp. 155-194

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Read Exodus 1—6; 14—18; 19—24; Leviticus 16—19; Numbers<= /p>
21—24

Second summary paper due

September 30 &nbs= p;            Joshua, Judges, Canaanite Religion and Culture

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Read RTOT pp. 195-226

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Read Joshua 6—8; 22—24; Judges 1—5

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Third summary paper due=

October 7  &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;     United Kingdom: Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Read RTOT pp. 227-244. [If you have time, also pp. 245-265]

   &nbs= p;                &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   Read 1 Samuel 7—12; 2 Samuel 7—12; 1 Kings 3—9

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Fourth summary paper due

October 14  =             &nb= sp;   Divided Kingdom

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Read RTOT pp. 292-308.   [If y= ou have time, also pp. 266-291]

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Read 1 Kings 17—21; 2 Kings 9—11; 2 Kings 17—20

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Fifth summary paper due=

October 21  =             &nb= sp;   8^th Century Prophets: Amos, Hosea, Isaiah of Jerusalem, Micah

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Read RTOT pp. 309-337

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Read Amos 3—7; Hosea 1—4; Isaiah 1—12; Micah 6

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Sixth summary paper due=

October 28  =             &nb= sp;   Last Days of the Kingdom of Judah (7^th-6^th Century Prophet= s)

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Read RTOT pp. 338-359

Read 2 Kings 22—23; Deuteronomy 4—11; Deuteronomy 29—31; Habakkuk 1--3

   &nbs= p;                &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   Seventh summary paper due

November 4   = ;             <= /span>Jeremiah and the Deuteronomic History

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Read RTOT p. 360-382

Read Jeremiah 1—3; 7—8; Jeremiah 18—20; 26—29; 30—31; Judges 2; 1 King= s 8

Eighth summary paper due

November 11  = ;            = Babylonian Exile

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Read RTOT pp. 383-430

Read Ezekiel 1—5; 16—18; 36—37; Lamentations 1—2; Isaiah 40—41; 51—55. [If you have tim= e, all of Isaiah 40-55]

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Ninth summary paper due=

November 18  = ;            = Early Post-Exilic Era: Persian Period

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Read RTOT pp. 431-471

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Read 1 Chronicles 13—16; Ezra 7—10; Book of Jonah

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Tenth summary paper due=

November 25  = ;            = THANKSGIVING – NO CLASS

December 2   = ;            &n= bsp; Wisdom Literature

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Read RTOT, pp. 472-491

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Proverbs 1—3; 8:22-36; Job 1—7; Qoheleth 1-3; Sirach 24

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Wisdom of Solomon 7

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Eleventh summary paper due<= /i>

December 9  =             &nb= sp; Late Post-Exilic Era: Hellenistic Period

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Read RTOT, pp. 492-542. [If you ha= ve time, also pp. 543-552]

Read Daniel 1—3; 7&#= 8212;8; Book of Ruth; 1 Maccabees 1—4 [If you have time, also Book of Tobit]<= /p>
Twelfth/final summary paper due

Tutoring Center:

The Tutoring Center is dedicated to supporting Calumet College of St. Joseph students. Students work with tutors to develop course competencies and study skills such as time management, test preparation, and note taking. In addition, students are provided= with tutoring support to help pass courses, to improve grade point average, and = to promote continuing education and career advancement. Tutors have a specific= charge: to help students learn how to master specific subject matter and to develop effective learning skills. Tu= toring is open to all students at Calumet College of St. Joseph at no charge and is available to support most introductory courses. Tutoring in support = of some other courses is available as well.&n= bsp; The Tutoring Center is located in Room 413. The telephone number is 219.473.42= 87 or 800.700.9100 ext. 287.

Statement of Plagiarism:

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another f= orm of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedu= res for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances.

PLEASE NOTE<= b>: Calumet College of St. Joseph subscribes to Turnitin.com and all papers can and may be submitted for chec= ks on plagiarism from the Internet/Electronic sources/ Databases.

Citation Guid= elines:

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guid= elines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Man= ual of Style or Turabian). All of= these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore. These texts explai= n how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

Withdrawal fr= om Classes Policy

After the last day for class changes has passed (see C= ollege calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. The Registrar must receive written request for withdrawal by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to = the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the r= efund schedule when withdrawing from courses.&nb= sp; The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the stu= dent will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notificati= on will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed.

An official withdrawal is recorded as a “W” grade on the student’s transcript.&n= bsp; Dropping a course without written permission automatically incurs an “F” grade for the course (see Refund Schedule).

Student Suppo= rt Services:

Among its other services, the Student Support Services Office guides, counsels, and assists students with disabilities. If a student believe that he or she needs a “reasonable accommodation” of some kind because of a physical, psychological, or mental condition (e.g., additional time needed = for tests, note taking assistance, special testing arrangements, etc.) he or she should contact the Student Support Services Office at 473-4388.   Staff there will secure documentation pertinent to the disability and work with faculty and staff, = if necessary, to address the matter.

CCSJ Alert:

Calumet College of St. Joseph utilizes an emergency communications system that transmits messages via text, email, and voice platforms. In the event of an emergency, of weather related closings, or of other incidents, those studen= ts who are registered for the system shall receive incident specific message(s) notifying them of the situation. Please sign up for this important service at any time on the College’s website. Alternatively, you can register at the time you register for classes. This service require= s each user to register once per academic year.&n= bsp; Therefore, at the beginning of each academic year, please remember to re-register for the system. T= his can be done at: http://ww= w.ccsj.edu/alerts/index.html.

School Closing Information:

   &= nbsp;        Internet:         = http://www.ccsj.edu

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       http://www,EmergencyClosings.com<= /a>

Facility: &nb= sp;       Calumet College of St. Joseph

                        Phone 219:473-4770

Radio:            = WAKE – 1500 AM

           &nbs= p;            WGN – 720 AM

           &nbs= p;            WIJE – 105.5 FM

           &nbs= p;            WLS – 890 AM

           &nbs= p;            WZVN        &= nbsp;   -- 107.1 FM

           &nbs= p;            WBBM News Radio – 78

TV Channels: 2, 5, 7= , 9, 32