Religious Studies 101 (Honors)
Fall Semester, 2012
11:50-12:40 MWF
STRO 350

Literature and World of the Old Testament

Missouri State University

Dr. Victor H. Matthews

1.Texts Required:

a. V. Matthews & J. Moyer, The Old Testament: Text and Context (3rd edition; Baker Academic, 2012)

b. V. Matthews & D. Benjamin, Old Testament Parallels (3rd edition; Paulist, 2006)  

d. Any one of the modern translations of the Bible--preferably the New Revised Standard Version, New Jewish Publication Society Version, or New International Version. Do not use the King James Version. Although it is a beautiful literary translation, it is hard to understand for most modern students and is outdated. I will use the NRSV in class.  An on-line version of the NRSV translation is available at: http://www.devotions.net/bible/00bible.htm.

On-line concordances featuring several other biblical translations can be found at:  http://bible.gospelcom.net and www.biblestudytools.com.   

An on-line version of the NRSV translation is available at: http://www.godweb.org/nrsv.html

Basic index to Biblical Studies Terms: http://www.wfu.edu/~horton/r102/ho1.html

A Glossary of Religious Studies Terms: http://www.deinde.org/resources/glossary/glossary.php

I encourage students to click on the various web links that I have established throughout this syllabus to obtain additional information. 

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

The Old Testament: Text and Context will be used as a supplement to lectures. Students will benefit by using this volume to increase their understanding of both the biblical material and the lectures. Old Testament Parallels contains translations of ancient Near Eastern texts that will be used in class discussion comparing them with biblical stories and laws.

2. Course Description: This course is a part of the General Education curriculum in the area of Culture and Society/Humanities.  The goals of the General Education program are found at: http://www.missouristate.edu/GeneralEducation/Goals_GenEd.htm.   This General Education course contributes to the development of your intellectual abilities and dispositions, including striving to be well informed and open-minded, looking for multiple possibilities, being able to deal with ambiguity, and intellectual self-awareness.

- This course encourages striving to be well informed by requiring knowledge of primary sources (the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and related documents) and modern methods of interpretation.  It encourages open-mindedness through exposure to a variety of attitudes toward this literature both in its historical setting and the present.

- This course encourages looking for multiple possibilities and being able to deal with ambiguity through exposure to a variety of ways that ambiguous and conflicting texts and other data are interpreted by historians and other readers.  This procedure promotes sensitivity to multicultural concerns.

- This course encourages intellectual self-awareness, i.e., being conscious of one’s own thinking process, by an emphasis on critical thinking.  Given the influence and importance of both the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament on Judeo-Christian Culture and, thus, American society, REL 101 provides an outstanding setting in which students can reflect on the cultural and social contexts of their thinking and the range of biases these diverse contexts create.

As a way of further illuminating these materials, attention will also be given to the history and religion of Israel as well as the other peoples of the ancient Near East.  Its application to the Public Affairs Mission of the University can be found in its efforts to educate students about the past so that they can build upon this heritage in making informed decisions about their own culture and the future direction of society.  Student input is welcomed as a partial guide to material covered.

3. Classroom routine: Since this is a course introducing the biblical materials, the presentation in class will be for beginners. The biblical text will be carefully followed to determine and explain what the authors are saying. This will involve a lecture/ discussion format and audio-visual materials. I will be constantly asking questions of students to emphasize points and determine mastery of the material.
I welcome student questions and expect that the number of these questions will increase as the semester progresses.

4. Religious Studies Courses in a State University: The U.S. Supreme Court (Abington v. Schempp) in 1963 encouraged the objective study of religion and the Bible. This is why we teach an introductory course to the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible at Missouri State. However, the approach here is different from that taken in a religious group. We will concentrate on reconstructing what the text originally meant to its ancient audience in the light of its ancient Near Eastern setting rather than on what the text means for us today. You do not have to have a faith commitment in this course, nor will you be asked to abandon your faith. My purpose is to increase your knowledge and understanding of the Old Testament/ Hebrew Bible, and to help you think carefully and in new ways about what it originally meant.

You will earn a good grade in this class the same way you do in other courses, not by being more religious.

5. Purposes:

a. Provide students with a basic understanding of the OT/HB and of  the social worlds of ancient Israel that will serve as the foundation for future study.

b. Provide the student with a basic knowledge of the history of the biblical periods, noting the relationship between Israel and the other nations of the ancient Near East.

c. Provide students with a basic knowledge of the physical environment and geographical features of the ancient Near East.

d. Give students an understanding of the principal beliefs found in the OT/HB about God and humankind.

e. Present to students for their use the tools and approaches that scholars use to study the OT/HB.

f. Prepare students to deal openly and intelligently with the text of the OT/HB, neither minimizing nor over-emphasizing the very real historical and intellectual difficulties that they will encounter.

g. Demonstrate to students that the study of religions in a state university setting is a natural part of a humanities curriculum and of the university's Public Affairs mission.

h. Help students to take seriously, state accurately, and evaluate thoughtfully positions other than their own.

• Students should feel free to send me e-mails VictorMatthews@missouristate.edu  or come to my office during the semester to raise questions, make comments, or express concerns about the course.

8. Inclusive Language: In line with current 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.

9. Exams: There will be three exams and a final. They will consist of essays, short identifications, and map questions. These exams will be given approximately at the 4th, 8th, & 12th week of the course. The final will cover both newly discussed material and a comprehensive essay. Before each exam I will provide students with a study guide. Please bring a blue book and a pen on each exam day.

10. Make-Up Exams: Make-up exams (though usually more difficult than regular tests) will be permitted only for those students with LEGITIMATE explained absences. Students should strive to notify me in advance if they know they will have to be gone on a scheduled exam day.

11. Written Assignment: Each student is required to do the following:

You are to read two articles dealing with either archaeology or aspects of the history or culture of the world of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible from journals that may be obtained in the Meyer Library or on-line. 

You are then to write a short (2 pages) summary of each article's contents and a one page personal analysis of:

 (1) the author's primary thesis and how well it was explained (provide specific examples from the article)
 (2) the degree of difficulty you had in reading it (use of jargon, writing style, etc.?)
 (3) what you found particularly interesting and would like to know more about (be very specific)
 (4) whether you agreed with the author and any ways the article could be improved or made more
       understandable
 (5) value of visual and explanatory aids and suggestions for additional student aids
 (6) the ways in which the article has aided your fuller understanding of the OT/HB (be specific). 

I recommend the following popularly written journals:

Biblical Archaeologist (renamed Near Eastern Archaeology) -- BS620. A1 B5
Biblical Archaeology Review -- BS620. A1 B52
Bible Review -- BS410. B58
The Bible Today -- BS600.2 B53

Choose specific items in each article upon which to base your analysis. Be sure to include:
 
(1) the author
(2) title of the article
(3) title of journal
(4) issue number and year of publication
(6) page numbers.

The first of these analyses (worth 25 points each) is due September 21, 2012. The second is due on  November 16, 2012.  A two point per class day penalty will be imposed on each paper submitted after the date it is due.

Each of you will become the “expert” on the topics covered in your article reviews and you will be called
on periodically in class to provide information that will further enhance the classes’ understanding of this material.

12. Cheating: Missouri State University is a community of scholars committed to developing educated persons who accept the responsibility to practice personal and academic integrity.  You are responsible for knowing and following the university’s Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures, available at www.missouristate.edu/policy/academicintegritystudents.htm.  You are also responsible for understanding and following any additional academic integrity policies specific to this class (as outlined by the instructor).  Any student participating in any form of academic dishonesty will be subject to sanctions as described in this policy.   If you are accused of violating this policy and are in the appeals process, you should continue participating in the class. 

I would also direct you to the university statement of community principles.

13. Assessment: Students' command of the materials presented in this course will be assessed through written exams, written assignments, journal article critiques, class discussion, in-class oral presentations, and the ability to answer the instructor's questions during class. These methods of assessment will help gauge the effectiveness of the presentation by the instructor as well as help demonstrate the usefulness of
this course as a part of the General Education curriculum. Students will also be given the opportunity to assess the course as a whole using both a standardized, college-wide questionnaire and an Honors College assessment instrument.

In addition, each student will be asked to write a reflective essay demonstrating how you have grown in these abilities and dispositions by taking this class and you will be asked to answer questions on a course assessment survey at the end of the course. 

14. Grading: I will be using plus/minus grades. The final grade will be computed as follows:

Exams I, II, & III-            225 points (75 points each)
Final Exam--                 100  points
Article Analyses--          50  points (25 points each)
Class Participation--  100 points (40 points from responses to Study Questions)
Total possible           = 475

Plus/minus grades: In order to give students appropriate credit for their work, grades will be reported with plusses and minuses at the end of the semester. Your overall numerical score in the class will be converted to a letter grade on the basis of the following chart:

90-92 = A-            93-100 = A
80-82 = B-            83-86 = B            87-89 = B+
70-72 = C-            73-76 = C            77-79 = C+
                              60-66 = D            67-69 = D+

Note that the university does not allow the reporting of D- or of A+ grades.

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

If you stop attending this class but do not follow proper procedure for dropping the class, you will receive
a failing grade and will also be financially obligated.  To drop a class anytime after the first week, see http://www.missouristate.edu/registrar/chnsched.html).  You do not need to obtain a signature on the
drop slip.

15. Disability Accommodation: To request academic accommodations for a disability, contact the Director of the Disability Resource Center, Plaster Student Union, Suite 405, (417) 836-4192 or (417) 836-6792 (TTY), www.missouristate.edu/disability.  Students are required to provide documentation of disability to the Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations. The Disability Resource Center refers some types of accommodation requests to the Learning Diagnostic Clinic, which also provides diagnostic testing for learning and psychological disabilities. For information about testing, contact the Director of the Learning Diagnostic Clinic, (417) 836-4787, http://psychology.missouristate.edu/ldc.

16. Discrimination Policy: Missouri State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution, and maintains a grievance procedure available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. At all times, it is your right to address inquiries or concerns about possible discrimination to the Office for Institutional Equity and Compliance, Park Central Office Building, 117 Park Central Square, Suite 111, (417) 836-4252. Other types of concerns (i.e., concerns of an academic nature) should be discussed directly with your instructor and can also be brought to the attention of your instructor’s Department Head.   The Missouri State statement of non-discrimination can be found at http://www.missouristate.edu/eoaa.htm.

17. Office Hours: Students should feel free to consult with me about the course and their work. My office is STRO 215 (inside the Dean's Suite in STRO 207) and I will be there MTWF 9:00-10:00 and 2:00-3:00 on Thursday. If you can not meet with me during these times, see me after class and I will arrange a mutually convenient time for us to get together. The Dean's office phone is 836-5529 and the secretary can make an appointment for me. I can also be contacted by e-mail at: VictorMatthews@missouristate.edu

18. Cell Phone Use: As a member of the learning community, each student has a responsibility to other students who are members of the community.  When cell phones or pagers ring and students respond in class or leave class to respond, it disrupts the class.  Therefore, the Office of the Provost prohibits the use by students of cell phones, pagers, PDAs, or similar communication devices during scheduled classes.  All such devices must be turned off or put in a silent (vibrate) mode and ordinarily should not be taken out during class.  Given the fact that these same communication devices are an integral part of the University’s emergency notification system, an exception to this policy would occur when numerous devices activate simultaneously.  When this occurs, students may consult their devices to determine if a university emergency exists.  If that is not the case, the devices should be immediately returned to silent mode and put away.  Other exceptions to this policy may be granted at the discretion of the instructor. 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE -- RELIGION 101