Religious Studies 510--Spring Semester 2005

Social World of Ancient Israel

Dr. Victor H. Matthews 

Course Description: This will be primarily a discussion class. Since this is a senior level class that assumes a basic knowledge of Israelite history and a general familiarity with the text of the Hebrew Bible, I will lay the initial groundwork for each topic and then the remainder of the time will be spent interacting among ourselves about the readings and source material assigned. Since we will be dealing with the entire historical framework of ancient Israel, special attention will be given to setting and context as we discuss social customs, religious, political, and economic institutions. Attention will also be given to the limitations of recreating an ancient culture based on available source and artifactual materials. 

Texts Required: 

A directory to on-line resources for biblical studies can be found on my website at: http://courses.missouristate.edu/vhm970f/favorite.htm

On-line bibliographies that may assist you with the discussions in this course and in writing your research paper are found at: http://courses.missouristate.edu/vhm970f/bib/bibliographies.htm

Purposes:

Exams: There will be no exams in this course.  Grades will be based on student reports, class discussion, and the research paper.

Written and Oral Assignments:

Cheating: Any student participating in any form of academic dishonesty will be subject to
sanctions as described in the Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures:  http://www.missouristate.edu/acadaff/AcademicIntegrity.html (also available at the Reserve Desk in
Meyer Library).  Two possible penalties for plagiarism are an automatic "F" for the assignment
or the requiring of an additional paper.

Attendance: Since class discussion will be both an integral part of this course and a significant part of the final grade (25%), it is essential that the student make every effort to attend each class.

Grading: The final grade will be determined as follows:

    Oral Presentation           =      100 points

    Presentation Critiques    =     100 points (10 points each)

    Final Draft of Paper       =      100 points

    Class Participation         =     100 points

Graduate students will submit an additional critique of a final draft which is worth 50 points and thus their grade will be determined on the basis of 450 total points.

The grading scale will be based on the following:

A = 90-100   B = 80-89   C = 70-79   D = 60-69   F = Below 60

Borderline grades will be determined by such factors as attendance, completion of work on time, evidence of hard work, and a willingness to seek help as well as general contribution to the class discussions.

Inclusive Language: In line with the newest style guides, I will be using inclusive language. This means that I will use language that includes women whenever possible. Instead of "man" I will use "human beings."  Instead of "he" I will use "he or she," etc. I urge you to follow my lead both orally and in written form.

Special Services: To request accommodations for disability, students must contact Disability Services (http://www.missouristate.edu/disability), Plaster Student Union Suite 405, (417) 836-4192; TTY (417) 836-6792.  DSS refers some types of accommodation requests to the Learning Diagnostic Clinic (LDC). The LDC also provides diagnostic testing, for which a fee is charged.

Equal Opportunity: Missouri State is an equal opportunity employer/affirmative action institution, and maintains a grievance procedure incorporating due process available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against.  At all times, it is your right to address inquiries and concerns about possible discrimination to Jana Estergard, the Equal Opportunity Officer, Siceluff 296, (417) 836-4252. Concerns about discrimination can also be brought directly to your instructor’s attention, and/or to the attention of your instructor’s Department Head. The Missouri State statement of nondiscrimination can be found at http://www.missouristate.edu/eoaa.htm.

Office Hours: Students should feel free to consult with me about the course and their work.  My office is STRO 251.  My office hours will be 9-9:50 M-F.  If you can not meet with me during these times, make an appointment to see me after class.  My office phone number is 836-5529 and my secretary can make an appointment for us to get together.

Instructions for Research Paper

You must choose your paper topic, in consultation with the instructor, no later than January 31, 2005.

One of the requirements for REL 510, Social World of Ancient Israel, is to submit a research paper, 12-15 pages minimum for undergrads and 15-20 pages minimum for graduate students.  Any subject relating to the material covered in the texts we discuss is permissible, but it is necessary that each student clear their topic with the instructor before beginning.  The paper must be double-spaced and papers by graduate students (15-20 pages minimum) must be submitted in duplicate.  This extra copy will be critiqued by another graduate student in the class.  All papers must follow a consistent style.  I would suggest using that contained in the SBL Handbook of Style.

Many students fail to narrow their topic. If the topic is too broad, the paper will be superficial and full of generalities.  Here is an example of narrowing a subject:: (1) Leprosy in the Hebrew Bible, (2) The Holiness  Code on Leprosy, (3) Leprosy in the Story of Na'aman (2 Kings 5).  The first two topics require full length books.  Only the last topic can be covered in 15 pages.

Too many papers are poorly written and contain numerous mechanical errors.  Be sure to finish your paper early and proofread it carefully.  If there are too many errors, the grade of the paper will be reduced one full letter grade.  Plagiarism is also a serious offense.  The penalty for plagiarism may vary depending upon the individual case involved.  However, two possible penalties are an automatic "F" or the requiring of an additional paper.

MLA citation is acceptable.  If you choose to use standard notation, then notes may be placed either at the bottom of the page or at the end of the paper.  When doing your bibliography, first provide a list of those sources used to prepare the paper.  Then, in a separate list, compile additional sources on the subject, which you researched and that were not in the Missouri State library.  This will help with our ordering of books for the library.

Research Tools  for Hebrew Bible and NT: http://courses.missouristate.edu/vhm970f/TOOLS.htm

Aids to doing Biblical Exegesis: http://divinity.library.vanderbilt.edu/otexeg.html

Aids to doing a Word Study: http://divinity.library.vanderbilt.edu/wordst.html

Instructions for Oral Presentations

Each student will make a 20-minute oral presentation of the first draft of their research paper to the class. The order of presentation will be determined by a blind draw.  The students and the instructor will critique these oral presentations based on the criteria listed below.  It is in the best interests of the student presenter to provide as polished a presentation as possible.  If you wish to use power point or some other presentation method that requires technology, please let the instructor know at least one week prior to your presentation.  It is also highly recommended that an electronic copy of the paper be made available to the class to speed the process of writing critiques and save on Xeroxing costs.

Instructions for the Critique of Oral Presentations

Each student will be required to write a 1-2 page critique of ten of the oral presentations made by students.  Two copies must be submitted, one (unsigned) for the presenting student and one signed to be graded by the professor.  The critique should center on three areas: content, mechanics and style of writing, and bibliography. Graduate student critiques of final drafts should also be based on these criteria.

Content: In order to critique the content of a paper, you must do some research on the subject of the paper. You should ask the following kinds of questions in analyzing its contents: Is the subject sufficiently narrowed? Are statements supported with relevant data? Is there evidence of adequate research or is there too much reliance on one or two sources?  Are the sources up-to-date or outdated?  Has the writer used any primary sources? Has the writer interacted with these sources and evaluated them to produce a work that is not slavishly tied to the sources?

Mechanics and Style of Presentation: Is the paper well presented, logical in its arguments, and generally understandable?  Have quotations been adequately denoted, handled properly, and not misused?  Were there any visual aids and if so were they used effectively?  Was the presenter's manner of speech effective?

Bibliography:  Has the writer overlooked any key sources?  Make any suggestions you find in your research of the topic. List any that should be included in the revision of the paper. Note there are always more sources that can be used.

The final written form of the critique is up to the individual.  However, it should not simply be a list of answers to the above questions.  The critique should emphasize both strengths and weaknesses in a courteous and professional manner.

Revision of the Paper

     Everyone will be required to revise their paper taking into account criticisms and suggestions from the instructor and from the other students.   Two copies of the revision must be handed in on or before May 6, 2005.  This final draft will be graded and returned during finals week.

Please return all books and articles I loan you at least by the time you hand me the finished copy of your paper.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

This schedule is based on the chapters in the Social World of Ancient Israel.  They will form the basis of class discussion, but will not serve as a limit on these discussions.  It is expected that students will explore the Harper-Collins Bible Dictionary to find articles that complement the information in these chapters and add this information to class discussion.

Introduction: Anthropology and the Bible, xiii-5. 

village politics

Chapter 1:  The Father, 7-21.

Chapter 2:  The Mother, 22-36  and read: 
                                 http://www.bibleinterp.com/articles/BiblicalWomen.htm
 

Carol Meyers, “The Roots of Restriction” http://home.apu.edu/~geraldwilson//Roots.html

village economics

Read: http://individual.utoronto.ca/mfkolarcik/jesuit/richardhess.htm

Chapter 3:  The Farmer, 37-51.

Chapter 4:  The Herder, 52-66.

Chapter 5:  The Midwife, 67-81.

village diplomacy

Chapter 6:  The Host and The Stranger, 82-95.

Chapter 7:  The Chief, 96-109 and read: 

http://www.bibleinterp.com/articles/politics.htm

Chapter 8:  The Legal Guardian, 110-120.

village law

Chapter 9:  The Elder, 121-131.

Chapter 10: The Widow, 132-141.

village education

Chapter 11: The Wise and the Fool, 142-154.

Ancient Israel as a State, 155-158 

state politics

Chapter 12: The Monarch, 159-175 and read:
                                  http://www.bibleinterp.com/commentary/McKensie_020301.htm

Kings of Israel and Judah Chart: http://www.kchanson.com/CHRON/isrkings.html

Chapter 13: The Virgin, 176-186.

state economics

Chapter 14: The Priest, 187-198.

   and read: http://www.bibleinterp.com/articles/berlinerblau1.htm

Chapter 15: The Slave, 199-210.

state diplomacy

Chapter 16: The Prophet, 211-226.

state law

Chapter 17: The Lawgiver, 227-236. View: http://www.tau.ac.il/humanities/archaeology/megiddo/megiddo3D.html

state education

Chapter 18: The Storyteller, 237-252 and http://www.bibleinterp.com/articles/Music.htm

 

Additional reading assignments may be given at the discretion of the instructor based on class discussion or the need for supplementary materials.

Links to graphics:

Israelite Pottery (Cobb Institute site): http://www.cobb.msstate.edu/museum/html/israel2.html

Israelite Lamps http://www.cobb.msstate.edu/museum/html/israel1.html

Israelite Figurines http://www.cobb.msstate.edu/museum/html/israel4.html

Israelite Economy http://courses.drew.edu/BIBST-101-002/Economy/

Rise of Israelite Monarchy http://www.nelc.ucla.edu/Faculty/Mullins_flies/ANE_230.htm

Ancestral Lineage Structure

http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/arts/anthropology/tutor/case_studies/hebrews/lineage.html

Marriage Customs

Musical artifacts

http://www.utexas.edu/courses/wilson/ant304/projects/projects98/campbellp/artpics.html

Jerusalem Coins

have consulted this web site since January 8, 2005.