Course Objectives
1. Through this course students will become more familiar with the content and the historical context of the Former Prophets/Deuteronomistic History (Joshua – Kings).
2. Students will examine their own contexts.
3. Students will do a contextual interpretation of a selected passage from the Deuteronomistic History.
Requirements & Grades:
1. Class Presentations: Session 2 to 5 (10% each; total 40% toward the final grade); an outline and a narrative description of each presentation is due on the day of presentation.
2. Research Paper: 15-20 double-spaced pages in length; due two weeks after the last session (60%).
Required Books
• Uriah Y. Kim, Decolonizing Josiah: Toward a Postcolonial Reading of the Deuteronomistic History (Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2005)
• Uriah Y. Kim, A Postcolonial Reading of David: The Politics of Loyalty and Identity in the David Story (Sheffield Phoenix Press, forthcoming; a draft will be distributed in the class)
• J. Maxwell Miller and John H. Hayes, A History of Ancient Israel and Judah (Second Edition; Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 2006)
• Thomas C. Römer, The So-called Deuteronomistic History: A Sociological, Historical, and Literary Introduction (T & T Clark, 2007)
• Gale Yee, ed., Judges and Method (Second Edition; Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2007)
• Czövek, T., Three Seasons of Christimatic Leadership: A Literary-Critical and Theological Interpretation of the Narrative of Saul, David and Solomon (Regnum Studies in Mission; Milton Keynes, United Kingdom: Paternoster, 2006).
Recommended Books
• Daniel Patte et al., eds., Global Bible Commentary (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2004); students are required to read four chapters from this book; no need to purchase.
• Fernando F. Segovia and Mary A. Tolbert, eds., Reading from This Place, Volume 1: Social Location and Biblical Interpretation in the United States (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1995); only one chapter from this book will be used; no need to purchase.
Class Schedule
Session 1: January 29 Examining Contexts
Reading Assignment:
• Segovia and Tolbert, pp. 251-61
• Global Bible Commentary, (Introduction) pp. xxi-xxxii
• Miller and Hayes, pp. 439 – 540
Session 2: February 12 The Deuteronomistic History and Its Contexts
Reading Assignment:
• Römer, The So-called Deuteronomistic History
• Kim, Decolonizing Josiah, pp. 1-17
Student Presentations: Contexts for Research Paper
Session 3: March 4 Joshua and Judges
Reading Assignment:
• Joshua & Judges
• Yee, Judges and Method
• Global Bible Commentary, pp. 64-85
• Miller and Hayes, pp. 84 – 118
• Kim, Decolonizing Josiah, pp. 18-47
Student Presentations: Passage and Method for Research Paper
Session 4: April 1 1 & 2 Samuel
Reading Assignment:
• 1 & 2 Samuel
• Kim, A Postcolonial Reading of David (handout)
• Global Bible Commentary, pp. 92-104
• Miller & Hayes, pp. 119 – 185
Student Presentations: Research Paper Thesis and Outline
Session 5: April 29 1 Kings
Reading Assignment:
• 1 Kings
• Czövek, Three Seasons of Christimatic Leadership
• Global Bible Commentary, pp. 105-118
• Miller & Hayes, pp. 186-258
Student Presentations: Research Paper Update
Research Paper due two weeks after the final class session
