Units timetabled for 2013 and 2014 are provisional only, and details of semester and time will change. The official timetable for each year is released on 1 September of the prior year.

Archived unit descriptions for 2011 are available here.

Introduction to the Old Testament

Unit Code: 
OBV300
RTI: 
United Faculty of Theology
Unit Value: 
15 points

This unit is an introduction to the literature of the Old Testament. It is designed to stimulate thoughtful and critical reading of the Old Testament, related ancient literature, and modern secondary literature dedicated to biblical interpretation. In the process it will examine matters of canon, forms of Old Testament literature, historical and major theological issues, including creation, law, covenant, kingship, exodus, exile, prophecy, monotheism, divine compassion and justice. The diversity of perspectives both in the Old Testament itself and in considered scholarly opinion on the text will be discussed, as will the relation of the interpretation of biblical texts to contemporary issues of faith.

Learning Outcomes: 

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

  1. the acquisition of fundamental skills and approaches used in biblical studies
  2. familiarity with some of the major biblical and extra-biblical texts important to Old Testament studies
  3. some familiarity with the textual, cultural, historical, literary, religious, and theological aspects of these texts
  4. the ability to evaluate critically appropriate resources for biblical studies in the research and writing of an interpretative essay on a biblical text
  5. the ability to critically examine different interpretations of biblical texts and to construct arguments based on the analysis of these texts and their interpretations
  6. the ability to relate biblical interpretation to issues of contemporary life and belief.
Lecturer/s: 
Monica Melanchthon
Timetabling
Semester: 
Semester 2
Unit Frequency: 
Annual
Years Offered: 
2010
Years Offered: 
2011
Years Offered: 
2012
Years Offered: 
2013
Years Offered: 
2014
Unit Fields
Courses: 
Graduate Certificate in Theology
Courses: 
Graduate Diploma in Theology
Courses: 
Master of Divinity
Field: 
Field B Biblical Studies
Disciplines: 
Biblical Studies
Disciplines: 
Old Testament
MDiv Field: 
Biblical Studies
Department Name: 
Department of Biblical Studies
Unit Level
GradDip Field: 
Foundational
MDiv Type of Study: 
Foundational
Prohibited Combinations: 

OBS300 Engaging with Scripture

Mode of Teaching: 
Online
Teaching Methods: 

There are six fortnightly sessions. Each session uses class notes and set readings with related questions, tutorial exercises and online class discussion.

Workload
Number of timetabled hours per week: 
0
Expected personal study hours per week: 
12
Total workload hours per week: 
12
Total workload hours for unit: 
144
Assessment
Assessment TypeWeightingLearning Outcomes Assessed
Assessment Type: 

1 x 1500 word assignment

Weighting: 
25%
Assessment Type: 

1 x 1500 word assignment

Weighting: 
25%
Assessment Type: 

1 x 2500 word exegetical assignment

Weighting: 
40%
Assessment Type: 

Participation in each of the six online tutorials, comprising intentional, reflective and critical interaction with lecturer and peers to the equivalent of 600 words

Weighting: 
10%
Recommended reading: 

* = set texts recommended for purchase

  • Anderson, Bernhard W. Understanding the Old Testament. Abridged 4th edition with Katheryn Phisterer Darr. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1998.
  • Barton, J. Reading the Old Testament: Method in Biblical Study. Rev. ed. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1996.
  • Birch, B. C. et al. A Theological Introduction to the Old Testament. 2nd ed. Nashville: Abingdon, 2005.
  • *Boadt, L. Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction. New York: Paulist, 1984.
  • Brueggemann, W. An Introduction to the Old Testament: The Canon and Christian Imagination. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2003.
  • Collins, J. J. Introduction to the Hebrew Bible with CD-Rom. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2004.
  • Gillingham, S. E. One Bible, Many Voices: Different Approaches to Biblical Studies. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999.
  • Keck, L. E. et al (eds). The New Interpreter’s Bible. Vol. 1. Nashville: Abingdon, 1994. General articles.
  • McKenzie, S. L. and Haynes, S. R. (eds). To Each its own Meaning: An Introduction to Biblical Criticisms and their Application. Rev. and expanded ed. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1999.
  • McKenzie, S. L. and Kaltner, J. The Old Testament: Its Background, Growth, & Content. Nashville: Abingdon, 2007.
  • Smith, M. S. The Memoirs of God: History, Memory, and the Experience of the Divine in Israel. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2004.

© United Faculty of Theology, 2008-2012.