I. Course Description
The impact of "the Bible" on "Western" culture could hardly be overstated; but just what is this book? This course, designed particularly for breadth, is an academic introduction to, and a general survey of, the library of Hebrew Scriptures (a.k.a. Old Testament). We will explore the historical and cultural settings and the literary expressions and content of each book, through extensive class discussion, readings, projects, lectures, and writings. In addition, we will engage questions about contemporary interpretations of these ancient writings in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions. In the end, what will we make of the saying of Voltaire, "the Bible is more celebrated than known"?

II. Objectives
1. Become biblically literate by learning the general content, historical framework, and literary forms of biblical literature.
2. Develop sound interpretive skills for study of ancient literature.
3. Develop appreciation of variety of methods of biblical reading.
4. Create, satisfy, and perpetuate curiosity for biblical learning.

III. Course Policies
THE MILLSAPS HONOR CODE: As a Millsaps College student, I hereby affirm that I understand the Honor Code and am aware of its implications and of my responsibility to the Code. In the interests of expanding the atmosphere of respect and trust in the College, I promise to uphold the Honor Code and I will not tolerate dishonest behavior in myself or in others.
Our community is based on common trust and respect, and our common success depends on each member of the community, students, faculty, and staff. As we all strive to act in accord with our communal ideals we liberate ourselves to relational integrity and confidence. As teacher, I pledge to respect your work and to teach with honesty and integrity, providing you with accurate information to the best of my ability. From you I need a statement on all assignments and exams informing me that you have followed the honor code. Academic dishonesty is seriously frowned upon and will result in a free trip to visit the Millsaps Honor Council.

1. Students and teachers are expected to attend class in a prepared manner; this is crucial for those desiring to make the most of their personal investments. Experience has shown that there is a direct relationship between attendance and learning and final grade. Absences of 6 or more will merit a final grade of no higher than a C. Perfect attendance is seriously smiled upon : and will result in 10 points being added to one's final exam. Persons are always responsible for material missed during absence.

2. Exams, quizzes, and assignments must be submitted at the scheduled time, except in cases of personal emergency. In such cases, appropriate documentation will be required. There will be no make-ups, except by special permission, in which case it must be completed with 1 week. Late papers will be discounted by one grading increment (e.g. B+ to B) per day.

3. Written assignments must be neatly typed and well organized and conform to appropriate academic standards.

4. Students with special needs because of a learning disability or other kind of disability are encouraged to discuss your needs for this class with me at your earliest convenience.

5. At times the complexities and exigencies of life come to bear even on carefully designed course policies and otherwise idyllic classrooms. Whenever you have a question or difficulty, you are welcome to talk to me. I have never bitten anyone. If you have any questions about this course, assignments, policies, grading etc. or about your ability to complete the tasks, please come talk to me. We can help you only if I am informed. For example, if you do not understand an assignment or question, ask as soon as possible; do not wait until it is due to tell me you didn't understand.

IV. Readings:
1. The Tanakh-The Holy Scriptures. (=TNK) Jewish Publication Society.
2. Matthews, V. and D. Benjamin, Old Testament Parallels, rev. ed. (New York: Paulist Press, 1997). A supplement
3. Visotzky. Burton. Reading the Book. (New York: Schocken, 1996).
4. Bowley, James E. A Guided Tour of Israel's Sacred Library. (=GT) Upper Saddle
River NJ: Prentice Hall (2005).
ALWAYS BRING BIBLE AND DISCUSSION BOOK TO CLASS.

V. Outline and Assignments (Subject to revision)

INTRODUCTION
Week 1 (Aug 25) W: Introduction

TORAH
Week 2 (Aug 30, Sept 1) M: READ GT Introduction and Ch. 1;
W: READ GT Ch. 2, TNK, Genesis 1-11, OT Parallels 22-30

Week 3 (Sept 6, 8) M: READ Genesis 12-25, GT ch 3 on Genesis
W: Literary Assignment #1 on Genesis 1-2.3 and 2.4-25.

Week 4 (Sept 13, 15) M: READ Exodus 1-12, GT on Exodus-Numbers
W: Analytical, Comparative Assignment #2 on Exodus 21-36 AND Leviticus 1-5; 11-15 AND Numbers 1-5 AND Deuteronomy 4, 15, 18-19 AND OT Parallels, 84-123.

Week 5 (Sept 20, 22) M: READ Deuteronomy 1-5, 33-34, GT on Deuteronomy
W: Exam on Torah

NEVIIM
Week 6 (Sept 27, 29) M: READ Joshua 1-9, GT on Joshua-Judges
W: Literary Assignment #3 on Judges 11, 19, or 21

Week 7 (Oct 4, 6) M: READ 1 Kings 1-21; 2 Kings 15-25, GT on Samuel-Kings
W: Research Assignment #4 on Bible encyclopedia articles

WEEK 8 (OCT 11, 13) M: READ Amos 4-9, Jeremiah 26-31, Isaiah 40-41, GT on Isaiah-Amos
W: READ Ezekiel 27-37, Haggai, GT on Obadiah-Malachi

¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ FALL BREAK ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨¨ ¨ ¨

WEEK 9 (OCT 20) W: Exam on Neviim

Ketuvim (and Deuterocanonicals)
Week 10 (Oct 25, 27) M: READ Read Psalms 1-11, 37, 73, 89. 90, Proverbs 1-10, 30-31, GT on Psalms-Proverbs, OT Parallels 257-261, 274-282
W: Group Poetic Literary Assignment #5 on Psalms

Week 11 (Nov 1, 3) M: READ Job 1-14, 40-42, Song of Songs, Ruth; GT on Job-Ruth, OT Parallels 208-214, 223-228, 297-301
W: Thematic Analysis Assignment #6 on Ruth

Week 12 (Nov 8, 10) M: READ Lamentations, Ecclesiastes; GT on Lamentations, Qohelet, OT Parallels 231-237
W:

Week 13 (Nov 15, 17) M: READ Esther, Daniel 1-4, 10-12, GT on Esther, Daniel
W: Group Analysis and Theorizing Assignment #7

Week 14 (Nov 22) M: READ GT Ezra-Nehemiah-Chronicles

¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ THANKSGIVING BREAK ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨

Week 15 (Nov 29 Dec 1) M: READ Visotzky
W: ATTENDANCE REQUIRED
Synthetic Analysis and Reflective Assignment #8

COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM: Saturday, 11 DECEMBER, 2:00 PM

IV. Grading
Writing Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . %40
Exams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . %45
Quizzes/In-class writing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . %15
Letter grades are assigned to increments of 10 on a scale of 100.
A 94-100 A- 91-93 B+ 88-90 B 84-87 B- 81-83
C+ 78-80 C 74-77 C- 71-73 D+ 68-70 D 61-67