REL 337I: Biblical Topics – Old Testament Women, Spring 2002.  SYLLABUS.             RJDKnauth
Class time:  T/Th 3:00-4:50 pm, C-300.  Office hours MWF 2:30-4:00 pm, D-320.
Telephone: (570) 321-4298 (xGAYT); home: (570) 326-3822.  Email: knauth@lycoming.edu

An in-depth study of some of the stories and writings about women in the Old Testament within a variety of different literary genres and from a variety of different viewpoints, in the context of other ancient Near Eastern texts, employing a variety of different academic methodologies.  Readings will include selections from Genesis, Ruth, Esther, Song of Solomon, Proverbs (especially ch. 31), the Songs of Deborah and Miriam, portions of Hosea and Ezekiel, and others.

As an upper-level seminar participating in the Women’s Studies Program, the primary purpose of this course is for you to develop deeper thinking with regard to some major biblical issues, in this case the various roles of women in the text and what we can learn from them.  Emphasis will be on informed participation and analysis, with full awareness of the sociological gender-biases that have molded both the text and its traditional interpretations.  As a “writing-intensive” course, it will seek to help you develop your writing skills.  Issues of writing will regularly be taken up in class, and a variety of written assignments are designed to stress various aspects of the writing process.

Texts:  Alice Bach (ed), Women in the Hebrew Bible: A Reader (1998) 
            Carol Meyers, Discovering Eve: Ancient Israelite Women in Context (1991)
            Cullen Murphy, The Word According to Eve: Women and the Bible in Ancient Times… (1998)
            Phyllis Trible, Texts of Terror (1984)
            Alice Ogden Bellis, Helpmates, Harlots and Heroes: Women’s Stories in the Hebrew Bible (1994)
            Susan Ackerman, Warrior, Dancer, Seductress, Queen: Women in Judges and Biblical Israel (1998)

The use of a complete Bible (any version) will be required in class.

Other useful reference books which you may find in the library (reference or reserve):
            Who Wrote the Bible?, Richard Friedman
            Understanding the Old Testament, Anderson
            Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture, Childs
            Old Testament Survey, Hill & Walton
            Old Testament Parallels, Matthews & Benjamin (OTP in syllabus, on reserve)
            Ancient Near Eastern Texts, Pritchard
            Canaanite Myth and Hebrew Epic, Frank Moore Cross (CMHE)
            From Epic to Canon, Frank Moore Cross (E-C)
            The Anchor Bible Dictionary (ABD)
            Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible  (IDB)
            The Anchor Bible Commentary series, or other commentaries
These will point the reader to further useful bibliography.  

For your research, plan also to use the ATLA Religion Index:

ATLAReligion through FirstSearch http://www.lycoming.edu/library/firstsearch/index.htm

REL337I Course Requirements:

1.      Attendance and informed participation (readings having been completed and reflected upon in writing in an informal journal) at all class sessions will be expected, worth 20% of the final grade.   Included in this participation grade will be some short in-class exercises, occasional short presentations, an informal journal, and regular discussion.  The attendance policy for this course is that there are no excused absences without a written note from a doctor or parent/guardian regarding a serious family or medical emergency (e.g. requiring hospitalization).  Each set of 2 absences (or 4 partial absences) lowers your final grade by 1%.

2.      There will be 6 short assignments, 1 paper proposal, 1 self-evaluation, and 2 peer reviews, worth a total of 20% of the final grade.  Assignments should be approx. 2 pgs each, typed, due in class on Thursdays, and will be the basis for class discussion on that day.  Late assignments will be accepted, but penalized, as preparedness will be crucial to our discussion time.

3.      There will be two take-home exams (each worth 10% of the final grade).  They will be open-book, limited-time (2 hours) essay exams (thematic, issue-oriented), taken on the honor system.  Review sheets will be handed out in advance.  Exams should be typed and handed in ON TIME as instructed in the syllabus.

4.      Two short (3 pg) Character Exegesis Essays (analyzing biblical texts about an assigned female character in the Old Testament, and then considering contemporary/personal application).  This will be the basis for a short oral presentation and class discussion.  Each is worth 10% of the final grade.

5.       One Biblical Research Paper (6 pg) on a topic of your choice (with annotated bibliography), to be proposed, written, revised on the basis of peer reviews, and presented in class.  Proposals for these papers will be submitted in advance (see appended form); peer reviews and a visit to the writing center are required. These papers will be submitted electronically at http://turnitin.com (class ID 20608, enrollment password “btotw02”), where you will then be able to read each others’ papers for the purpose of doing peer reviews and participating in discussion.  Worth 20% of the final grade.

**Formal Paper drafts will be submitted electronically at http://turnitin.com, class id 20608, enrollment password “btotw02” (as well as in hard copy to the instructor), and thus will be available on line for students to do peer reviews.  Drafts and revisions will be due in hard copy on Friday at midnight in the mailbox outside the instructor's office door (D-320).  Since any papers delivered after 5:00 pm will not be received until the following Monday morning, any papers found in the box on the Monday morning will be considered to be on time.  Please do not ask for last-minute short extensions because of printing problems and the like.  Just get your papers in the box first thing Monday morning.  Any papers received after that, unless there is a serious excuse such as a major illness (with a note from the doctor), family emergency (with a note from parents), or other serious problem, will be penalized at the discretion of the instructor. 

Note:  Plagiarism (copying material from books, articles, web sites, or other students’ work without citing your source) will not be tolerated in the formal papers, in the exams, or in the short assignments.  Just use proper citation.  The difference between plagiarism and good research is only proper citation!

Schedule of Classes:   

Week 1:  Introduction, Eve – “mother of all the living”  
  Read Genesis 1-3, 4:1-2,25, 5:1-2.  Compare creation accounts in ch. 1 & 2. 
  Compare Tiamat and Enkidu in Old Testament Parallels, Ninhursag and Nin-ti in Kramer ch. 19.
  Read Bellis ch. 2 and Bach 53 and 241.  
T  (Jan. 8)- Introduction.  Woman in Creation.  Compare Tiamat in Enuma Elish.  
Th (Jan. 10)- Woman as temptress: Eve in the fall.  Compare Ninhursag and Enkidu stories.
  Methodology: Introduction to the "Historical Critical Method," and the usefulness of historical background and comparative study of ancient Near Eastern literature.  Create awareness of how point of view, biases, purposes can affect a text.  All writing is selective, written with a purpose.  The Bible as a composite text: multiple authorship, editing process, inclusion of older documents, ANE imagery (different implications, literary uses). What is Biblical Criticism? (see REL113 handout)
  Writing (Tu): Self-assessment survey of writing skills.
In-class exercise 1 (writing sample):  Write a “character sketch” of a woman from your life.
  Writing (Th): Choosing a focus and formulating a good thesis ("topic" is different from "thesis"!).
In-class exercise 2 (small groups): getting from topic to thesis. Discuss as a class: what makes a good thesis?

Week 2:  Matriarchs – Sarah, Hagar, and Rebecca  
  Read Genesis ch. 12, 16-18:15, 20-28:9; Bellis ch. 3, Trible Intro + ch. 1, and Bach 127 or 141 or 271.  
  Methodology issues:  Evaluating your sources for bias and usefulness.
     For Thursday, read and be prepared to report to the class on one chapter of Meyers plus
     one chapter from Murphy, Ackerman Intro, Bellis ch. 1, or Bach Intro, 3, 21, 33 or 159.
  Writing Asst 1:  Turn in a 1-page summary and assessment (typed) of the basic points made in each.
T  (Jan. 15)- Sarah and Hagar. 
Th (Jan. 17)- Rebecca.  Methodology essay reports.

Week 3:  Trickery, Seduction, and Sibling Rivalry
  Read Gen. 29-35, 38-39; Judges 13, 1Sam 1-2; Ackerman ch. 4, plus two of Bach 3, 45, 99, 119.    
  Methodology: the usefulness of standard literary analysis in terms of plot structure, character development.
  Writing:  Organization.  Using outlines and subheadings.  Creating coherent paragraphs.
             Application follows analysis - must develop understanding first before seeking to apply.
  Writing Asst. 2: Compose an outline for a three-point sermon on some aspect of this week’s reading.
T  (Jan. 22)- Leah and Rachel (and other barren mothers: Samson, Saul)  
Th (Jan. 24)- Dinah & Shechem, Tamar & Judah, Joseph & Potiphar’s wife

Week 4:  Women in the life of Moses  
  Read Exod 1-4, 15; Num 12, 20:1,28-29; Sargon birth legend in OTP p. 85; Bellis ch. 4, Bach 419.
  Methodology: Form Criticism and the importance of Genre.  Source Criticism, w/ theological flavor.
                         ANE imagery: battling Sea Dragons.
  Writing: Create awareness of how genre/style/structure can affect content, effectiveness.  Writing as "art."  
    Compare prose and poetry versions of the crossing of the Red Sea.  Discuss poetic structure.
  Writing Asst. 3: Re-write the Moses intro as a brief acrostic and/or chiastic poem with parallelism.
        Reflect on how the mode of expression influences the content and message of the story.
T  (Jan. 29)- Women in Moses’ upbringing: Midwives, Mother, Sister, Pharaoh’s daughter; Wife.  
Th (Jan. 31)- Miriam the Prophetess, Miriam the Leper. 

Week 5:  Judges, Foreign Heroes, and Victims.  
  Read Joshua 2, 6:25; Judges 4-5, 9:52-54, 11, 19-21. Compare Gen 19:5-8. Ruth 1-4.
  Read Trible ch. 3-4; Bellis ch. 5; plus 1 each of Ackerman ch. 1, 2, 5, 6; Bach 99, 211, 243, 305, 317, 389.
  Writing: Character Development in Ruth.
  Writing Asst. 4: List 5 aspects of Ruth's character intentionally brought out by the author, and discuss how the author goes about creating this characterization.  Write a short character sketch of your own for one of the women characters in Judges.
T  (Feb. 5)- Deborah and Jael;  Ruth and Rahab.  **Review handout.
Th (Feb. 7)- Jephthah’s daughter, Lot’s daughters and the Levite’s concubine and genocide.    

Week 6:  Women under the Law; Midterm Takehome Test   
  Read Num 5:11-31, 25, 27, 36; Exod 21-23; Middle Assyrian laws; Bach 293 plus “case history” 461-522.  
  Method: What is the Law? Types and origins. Reflections on the nature of God. Continuity/Distinctiveness.
T  (Feb. 12)-   Zelophahad’s daughters and other laws about women.  Compare Middle Assyrian.
Th (Feb. 14)-  Bach’s “case history.”  Review for Exam.  *Hand out take-home exams.*  
                  *Take-home Exams due in class on Tuesday (2/19) on first half of course.*

Week 7:  David’s Wives 
  Read 1Samuel 18-19, 25, 28, 30; 2Samuel 3, 6, 11-16; 1Kings 1-2.
  Read Trible ch. 2; Bellis ch. 6; and one of Bach 195, 335, 351.  
  Writing: Developing a Revision / Editing Process (or the End of the "Single Draft Paper" Myth):
    A good professional photographer throws out 80-90% of his pictures, keeping only the best;
    A good writer likewise throws out 80-90% of his words, keeping only the best.  Writing is an art!
  In-class writing exercise 3 on revision (revising Trible).  Choose her most awkward paragraph for revision.
T  (Feb. 19)- Michal the bitter and Abigail the wise.  The “Wise Woman” of Tekoah.  *Exam Due!
Th (Feb. 21)- Bathsheba, David’s punishment: Tamar, concubines. Widow at Zaraphath (Elijah cycle).
                      Revision Exercise.

SPRING BREAK: Feb 25-Mar 1

Week 8:  Solomon’s Wives and the Song of Solomon
  Read 1Kings 11, Song of Solomon.  
  Read Bellis ch. 9; Ackerman ch. 3; Bach 179.  
T  (Mar. 5)-  Solomon’s mother and wives, and the office of Queen Mother.  Library Research Session.
Th (Mar. 7)- Song of Solomon.
    Writing: Doing effective Research (trip to library, develop bibliography together on “Queen Mother”).
    Library Session (Th): tour of resources, useful tools, research strategies
        (ABD, Concordances, key words - getting back to original languages).
        Shorter and more focused is better.  Following the bibliography trail - the value of refereed journals.
        Pitfalls of internet research (2 recent examples re Sabbath and Idolatry). Determining viewpoint and
        evaluating sources for reliability and relevance.  Intro to ATLA Religion Index and Anchor Bible Dict.
    Writing Asst. 5: Write up an "annotated bibliography" (for “Queen Mother” or a topic of your choice).

Week 9:  Proverbial Women  
  Read Proverbs 7-9, 31. Job 2:9-10; 1Kings 17, 2Kings 4, 8.  Bellis ch. 9, Bach 85.
T  (Mar. 12)- Lady Wisdom (Sophia) and Lady Folly, Job’s wife.  
Th (Mar. 14)- “The Wife of Noble Character.”  
    Methodology:  What is literary/rhetorical criticism?  How is it helpful in analyzing Proverbs?
    Writing:  Effective use of Evidence to make a good argument.
    Writing Asst.:     **Paper proposal for Formal "Research" Paper due Friday, including Bibliography!

Week 10:  “Treason! Treason!” – Jezebel, Athaliah, and the problem of foreign wives/alliances
  Read 1Kings 16:29-33, 18-19, 21; 2Kings 9-12.  Read Bellis ch. 7; Ackerman ch. 5.
T  (Mar. 19)-  Jezebel and Baal; Jezebel and Naboth.  Athaliah’s coup.
Th (Mar. 21)- Jezebel Debate.  Delilah.
    Methodology: What is "Textual Criticism" and how did the Dead Sea Scrolls revolutionize it? 
    Writing: Debate format and counter-argument (assignment and prepared class debate re Jezebel).
    Writing Asst. 6: Choose a side of the debate, compile your best evidence and counter-arguments. 
    Make an argument using specific evidence from the text.  Use debate format. 
    Be prepared to debate this issue in class on Thursday.

Week 11:  Women as Prophetic Object Lessons  
  Read Amos 4:1, 5:2, Hosea, and Ezekiel 16, 23.  Read Bellis ch. 8.
T  (Mar.  26)- Adulterous Gomer and God’s unconditional love. 
Th (Mar. 28)- Ezekiel’s adulterous sisters.  Power politics of alliances.
    Methodology:  How can archaeological finds elucidate biblical narrative?
    Writing: Creating coherence and logical flow.  Revise, Revise and Revise again!  Word choice and mood.

Week 12:  Brave Queen Esther  
  Read Esther.   Read Bellis ch. 10; Bach 77.
T  (Apr. 2)- Honor & Shame. Vashti & beauty contests. Discuss process of paper revision, peer review.
Th (Apr. 4)- Brave Queen Esther and the Providence of God.
    For exercise purposes, bring a draft of your research paper on which to practice peer review.
    Writing: Critical Analysis / Evaluation and the value of Peer Review.  
        Guidelines: thesis, evidence, argument.  Clear?  Organized?  Convincing?
        Making Peer Review valuable (and not just a pat on the back).  Presentation by Jane Keller of ARC.  
    **Formal "Research" Paper (draft) due by Friday at the Writing Center - 6 pgs max.**

Week 13:  **Student Oral Presentations and Discussion.**

            T  (Apr. 9)-      1.

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            Th (Apr.  11)-  5.

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               *Exam Review Sheets handed out.*
 

Week 14:  **Student Oral Presentations and Discussion continued.**

            T  (Apr. 16)-    9.

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            Th (Apr.  18)-  13.

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                                    Exam Review: Questions? 

              **Final Research Paper Revisions due Friday, last day of class, at midnight, 6 pgs max.**

**Each student must choose two papers for peer evaluation, and also solicit two peer reviews for their own paper.  Turn in two copies of the written review (one copy to the author of the paper, and one copy to the instructor), and be prepared to discuss the paper in class at the time of the oral presentation.  These reviews will be counted as part of your assignment grade.