Schedule for Spring 2008:

        MWF   10:15 - 11:20 am   REL 328    (B-309)
                     12:45 -  1:50  pm    REL 113    (B-309)

        MW       2:00 - 4:00 pm    Office               (D-320) 

       T/Th       9:45 - 11:35  pm   HEBR 222   (D-302)
                	  1:00 -   2:50  pm   REL 333I  (D-302)
           	  3:00 -   3:30  pm   Office           (D-320)

      Tues    11:50 - 12:50 (lunch) SCHOL 301      (Heim G-11) 
                     4:00 - 5:00  pm    Suzuki Violin (Thayers')

      Office Hours -  M/W 2-4 pm, T/Th 3-3:30 pm (D320),  or by appointment (call or email).
       Tutoring is also available through the Academic Resource Center.

    Tentative Schedule for Fall 2008:   

        MWF   10:15 - 11:20 am   REL 113    (B-309)
                     12:45 -  1:50  pm    REL 226    (B-309)
	  3:15 -  4:20  pm    HEBR 101 (D-302)

       Tues    11:50 - 12:50 (lunch) SCHOL 301      (Heim G-11) 
                     4:00 - 5:00  pm    Suzuki Violin (Thayers')

      Thurs    4:00 -  5:00  pm      ARCH 348/448 (C-303):  Archaeology Colloquium

        REL 113: Old Testament Faith and History (fall 2004, spring 2005, ... spring 2008) - MWF 10:15 am, B307
	A critical examination of the literature within its historical setting and in the light of 
	archaeological findings to show the faith and religious life of the Hebrew-Jewish 
	community in the Biblical period, and an introduction to the history of interpretation
	with an emphasis on contemporary Old Testament criticism and theology.

        REL 224: Judaism and Islam (taught by George Adams in fall 2004, 2006)*  
	An examination of the rise, growth, and expansion of Judaism and Islam with special 
	attention given to the theological contents of the literatures of these religions as far as 
	they are normative in matters of faith, practice, and organization.  Also, a review of their 
	contributions to the spiritual heritage of humankind.
                   *(cp HIST 232: The Rise of Islam, taught by Cullen Chandler in spring 2004, 2006, 2008 MWF 12:45) 

        REL 226: Biblical Archaeology (fall 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 ... 2007) - MWF 10:15 am, B309
	A study of the role of archaeology in reconstructing the world in which the Biblical
	literature originated with special attention given to archaeological results that throw
	light on the clarification of the Biblical text.  Also, an introduction to basic archaeological
	method and a study in depth of several representative excavations along with artifacts
	and material culture recovered from different historical periods. 

       REL 328: History and Culture of the Ancient Near East (spring 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, ... 2008) - MWF 10:15, B309
	A study of the history and culture of Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Syria-Palestine, and Egypt 
	from the rise of the Sumerian culture to Alexander the Great.  Careful attention will be given
	to the religious views prevalent in the ancient Near East as far as these views interacted with
	the culture and faith of the Biblical tradition.

       REL 333I: Biblical Topics - Old Testament Women (spr 2002, fall 2003, spr 2006, spr 2007, spr 2008) - T/Th 1:00 pm, D302
	Offered in cooperation with the Women and Gender Studies Program, this seminar will involve in-depth study of
	a variety of biblical texts and themes relevant to the roles and character of women in the Old Testament,
	including selections from Genesis, Ruth, Esther, Song of Songs, Proverbs (esp. ch. 31), and the songs
	of Deborah and Miriam.  Excerpts from the prophecies of Hosea and Ezekiel will also be considered.
	This is intended to be an upper-level seminar, which is offered as "Writing Intensive" and thus will 
	incorporate a variety of written assignments and attention to the writing process.

      REL 337W: Biblical Topics - David (spr 2004, fall 2005, fall 2007) - T/Th 1:00 pm, D302
	King David is a central figure in biblical history and literature, presenting a complex story of heroism,
	pathos and tragedy.  This course will explore the character of David in proper literary, historical, political 
	and theological context utilizing various scholarly approaches and methodologies, to enlighten our 
	understanding of the larger biblical message.  Using primarily the books of 1-2 Samuel, with parts of 
	Judges and 1Kings (in the "Deuteronomistic History"), we will look at the development of David's 
	character from various viewpoints in terms of the "charismatic leadership ideal," in contrast with Saul, 
	Absalom and Solomon, and in the context of biblical debates over kingship and temple.  Historical 
	background and ancient Near Eastern context will also be important.  This is intended to be an upper-level 
	seminar, which will be offered as writing intensive and thus will incorporate a variety of written assignments 
	and attention to the writing process.

     REL 337W: Biblical Topics - Exodus (fall 1999, fall 2001) - T/Th 3:00 pm, D302
	An in-depth study of the book of Exodus along with other related biblical and ancient Near Eastern 
	texts, employing a variety of academic methodologies.  Exodus is an extremely rich book, including
	a wide variety of genres and themes which are pivotal for the national identity of Israel.  Starting
	with the book of Exodus, we can come to a much deeper understanding of the Old Testament as
	a whole.  This is intended to be an upper-level seminar, which will be offered as writing intensive 
	and thus will incorporate a variety of written assignments and attention to the writing process.

        REL 337W: Biblical Topics - Kingship Ideologies (spr 2000) - T/Th 1:00 pm, C300
	An in-depth study of Israelite Kingship Ideologies in the Old Testament, along the theme of the 
	"Anti-Power Struggle in Israelite Kingship Ideals."  Using primarily the books of Judges, 1-2 Samuel 
	and 1-2 Kings (in the "Deuteronomistic History"), we will explore Israelite kingship ideologies in 
	their ancient Near Eastern context, including pro-monarchic and anti-monarchic biases within the 
	texts, and especially the charismatic leadership ideal as exemplified by King David and contradicted
	by Solomon.  This is intended to be an upper-level seminar, which will be offered as writing intensive 
	and thus will incorporate a variety of written assignments and attention to the writing process.

        HEBR 101-102: Old Testament Grammar and Readings (00-01, 02-03, 04-05) - MWF 2:00, 3:15 pm, D302
	Fundamentals of Old Testament Hebrew grammar and readings of selected passages of the Hebrew text.

        HEBR 221: Readings in Old Testament Narrative - Samuel (fall 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007) - T/Th 9:45 am, D302
	A critical reading of the Hebrew text of selected narrative portions of the Old Testament with special
	attention being given to exegetical questions.  The text read varies from year to year. 
	This year, in conjunction with the REL 337 seminar, we will focus on the books of 1-2 Samuel.
	Prerequisite:  HEBR 102 or equivalent.

        HEBR 222: Readings in OT Prophetic Books and Wisdom Literature (spr 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008) - T/Th 9:45 am, D302
	A critical reading of the Hebrew text of selected portions of Old Testament prophecy and wisdom literature 
	with special attention being given to exegetical questions and poetic texts.  The texts read vary from year to year. 
	This year, in conjunction with the REL337 seminar, we will focus on the songs of Miriam and Deborah, 
	Ruth, Esther, Hosea, Song of Songs, Proverbs 31, and other texts relating to Women in the Old Testament.
	Prerequisite:  HEBR 221 or equivalent.

    Find out more about our offerings in Biblical Languages!  

    Need a tutor for any of these courses?  Visit the Academic Resource Center!
		Hebrew Tutors:  TBA
		Religion Tutors:  Kirsten Darby, Janet McGlade, Matthew Martin, Kelly Szpara.