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: 
OBV100
RTI: 
United Faculty of Theology
Unit Value: 
15 points

This unit is an introduction to the literature of the Old Testament. It examines matters of canon and translation, the forms of Old Testament literature, historical and theological issues. Texts discussed will deal with creation, flood, law, covenant, kingship, exodus, exile, prophecy, monotheism, divine compassion and justice. The diversity of form and theology within the Old Testament will be stressed and attention given to the relation of interpretation to faith in this context. Students are introduced to the exegesis of Old Testament texts.

Learning Outcomes: 

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

  1. demonstrate the acquisition of fundamental skills and approaches used in biblical studies
  2. demonstrate familiarity with some of the biblical and extra-biblical texts basic to biblical studies
  3. demonstrate some familiarity with the textual, cultural, historical, literary, religious, and theological features of these texts
  4. locate and use appropriate resources for biblical studies in the library and on the internet
  5. research, document, and write an essay on a biblical text using primary and secondary resources
  6. identify different interpretations of texts in biblical studies and to construct an argument based on the analysis of the texts and these interpretations.
Lecturer/s: 
Howard Wallace
Timetabling
Semester: 
Semester 2
Unit Frequency: 
Annual
Years Offered: 
2012
Years Offered: 
2013
Years Offered: 
2014
Unit Fields
Courses: 
Advanced Diploma in Theology
Courses: 
Bachelor of Theology
Courses: 
Diploma in Theology
Courses: 
Bachelor of Ministry
Field: 
Field B Biblical Studies
Disciplines: 
Biblical Studies
Disciplines: 
Old Testament
Department Name: 
Department of Biblical Studies
Unit Level
Undergraduate Level: 
1
Prerequisites: 

none

Corequisites: 

none

Prohibited Combinations: 

BV111 Introduction to Biblical Text, BV100 Introduction to Old Testament

Mode of Teaching: 
Online
Teaching Methods: 

Six fortnightly sessions, each comprising guided reading in primary and secondary sources, additional reading resources and some notes, together with an online tutorial. Students will be expected to contribute to the discussions in each session.

Workload
Number of timetabled hours per week: 
0
Expected personal study hours per week: 
9
Total workload hours per week: 
9
Total workload hours for unit: 
108
Assessment
Assessment TypeWeightingLearning Outcomes Assessed
Assessment Type: 

Tutorial participation

Weighting: 
10%
Learning Outcomes Assessed: 
1, 2, 3
Assessment Type: 

1 x 500 word short paper

Weighting: 
10%
Learning Outcomes Assessed: 
1, 2, 3
Assessment Type: 

1 x 1000 word theological essay

Weighting: 
30%
Learning Outcomes Assessed: 
4, 5, 6
Assessment Type: 

1 x 2000 word interpretative essay

Weighting: 
50%
Learning Outcomes Assessed: 
4, 5, 6
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.
  • Campbell, A. F. The Study Companion to Old Testament Literature: An Approach to the Writings of Pre-Exilic and Exilic Israel. Wilmington: Michael Glazier, 1989.
  • 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.
  • Rogerson, J. (ed.) Beginning Old Testament Study. London : S.P.C.K., 1998.
  • 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.