The Old Testament/Hebrew Bible is an extraordinary volume spanning centuries, empires, and religions. It tells the story of the people of Israel and their God, but at every turn it challenges preconceptions of God and presents the people in unexpected lights: heroes are deeply flawed, the ways of God are often mysterious, and the relationship between God and Israel frequently fractures. This module will engage with key texts from three genres of the Old Testament: narrative (e.g. Exodus), wisdom (e.g. Job) and prophecy (e.g. Amos). The module will explore the different ways in which these texts communicate their message in their socio-historical contexts, as well as discovering the enduring significance of their theological themes. Sessions will be spent considering both general features of these works as well as engaging in depth with specific passages.

1. Understand a range of literary genres in the Old Testament and how they can be interpreted.
2. Demonstrate a critical awareness of a number of scholarly approaches to the study of the Old Testament / Hebrew Bible.
3. Critically read selected texts from the Old Testament.
4. Identify key themes in selected works.

Sessions (20 contact hours) may be delivered in lecture, seminar or tutorial form, either in person or through e-learning.

• Reason from evidence, whilst being tolerant of other interpretations of the evidence.
• Critically evaluate evidence and its interpretation.
• Sustain a logical argument and reach a defensible conclusion.
• Analyse and synthesise information.
• Make individual presentations, and contribute effectively and creatively to group discussion.
• Actively respond to peer and teacher feedback.
• Discuss and question new ideas.
• Understand how people have thought and acted in contexts other than the students’ own.
• Present analyses in a clear and coherent manner, both orally and in writing.
• Solve problems.
• Demonstrate a willingness to seek, and accept, help and guidance.
• Accept responsibility for the student’s own activities and their outcomes.
• Display self-reliance.
• Adopt a demanding work-schedule.
• Revise judgements in the light of new evidence.
• Use computers as a research and writing aid.

• Essay 2000 words 50% contribution.  Semester 1.
• Essay 2000 words 50% contribution.  Semester 1.

The opportunity for reassessment in this module

The module will be reassessed by resubmission of any failed coursework.

Lectures will cover such topics as:

• Reading texts according to their genre.

• Reading texts in context.

• What is narrative?

• The message of Exodus.

• What is wisdom?

• The message of Job.

• What is prophecy?

• The message of Amos.

Indicative Reading and Resource List:

The Holy Bible with Apocrypha, New Revised Standard Version (published variously by OUP, HarperCollins, SPCK, Hendrickson).

T.D. Alexander and D.W. Baker, eds., Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch (IVP, 2003).

T. Longman III and P. Enns, eds., Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry and Writings (IVP, 2008).

G. McConville and M.J. Boda, eds., Dictionary of the Old Testament: Prophets (IVP, 2012).

E. Charpentier, How to Read the Old Testament (London: SCM, 1985).

J.J. Collins, Introduction to the Hebrew Bible (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).

P. Gooder, The Pentateuch: A Story of Beginnings (London: T.&T. Clark, 2004).

A. Hunter, Wisdom Literature (London: SCM, 2006).

J. O’Brien, Challenging Prophetic Metaphor: Theology and Ideology in the Prophets (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2008).

W. Brueggemann, Book of Exodus (New Interpreter’s Bible I, Nashville: Abingdon, 1996).

F.I. Andersen, Amos (AB; New Haven: Yale University Press, 1989).

D.J.A. Clines, Job 1-20 (WBC 17; Dallas: Word, 2009).

J. Barton, Reading the Old Testament: Method in Biblical Study (rev. ed.; London: DLT, 1996).