BBST 515 – Exegetical Skills I Instructor: Dong Sung Kim E-mail: [email protected]Class meetings: Thursdays 4:00 – 5:15 p.m. @ Seminary Hall 109 1 Exegesis. See Reading. – “Index,” The Bible Culture & Collective, The Postmodern Bible. [S]ometimes we just have to learn how to read. – Jonathan Magonet, A Rabbi Reads the Bible. I. Course Description This course is designed as a companion course to BBST 101 - Biblical Literature I. The course will provide the members of the class with basic introduction to biblical exegesis and various opportunities to practice the knowledge they would gain from both courses. Specifically, the course content includes: 1) guidance in the practices of exegetical analysis (e.g., various practices including the following: comparing and contrasting various translations, investigating the semantic ranges of words and grammatical constructions, formulating critical questions, exploring literary and socio-historical context, and learning how to do basic research in the field of biblical studies); 2) incorporation and use of biblical studies research tools and, 3) an introduction of the rudimentary features of Biblical Hebrew. II. Course Objectives Your primary objectives for this course would be: - to understand the notion of “exegesis” with awareness of its contested and nuanced use in the recent scholarly reception. - to be able to read a biblical text critically, with close attention to textual details, lexical meanings of words, historical and literary contexts, as well as with awareness of various methodological angles attested in the secondary scholarly literature (i.e. commentaries, journal articles, scholarly monographs and edited volumes, etc.). - to be able to write a precise and critical notes about a given passage from the Hebrew Bible. By the end of the semester you should be able to: 2 1. Use standard research tools such as lexicons, commentaries, and other relevant resources. 1 In case of inclement weather, please call 973-408-DUSC for announcements regarding campus closings. 2 The numerical orders in the following list does not reflect the priorities in the course.
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Class meetings: Thursdays 4:00 – 5:15 p.m. @ Seminary Hall 1091
Exegesis. See Reading. – “Index,” The Bible Culture & Collective, The Postmodern Bible.
[S]ometimes we just have to learn how to read. – Jonathan Magonet, A Rabbi Reads the Bible.
I. Course Description
This course is designed as a companion course to BBST 101 - Biblical Literature I. The course
will provide the members of the class with basic introduction to biblical exegesis and various
opportunities to practice the knowledge they would gain from both courses. Specifically, the
course content includes: 1) guidance in the practices of exegetical analysis (e.g., various
practices including the following: comparing and contrasting various translations, investigating
the semantic ranges of words and grammatical constructions, formulating critical questions,
exploring literary and socio-historical context, and learning how to do basic research in the field
of biblical studies); 2) incorporation and use of biblical studies research tools and, 3) an
introduction of the rudimentary features of Biblical Hebrew.
II. Course Objectives
Your primary objectives for this course would be:
- to understand the notion of “exegesis” with awareness of its contested and nuanced use in
the recent scholarly reception.
- to be able to read a biblical text critically, with close attention to textual details, lexical
meanings of words, historical and literary contexts, as well as with awareness of various
methodological angles attested in the secondary scholarly literature (i.e. commentaries,
journal articles, scholarly monographs and edited volumes, etc.).
- to be able to write a precise and critical notes about a given passage from the Hebrew
Bible.
By the end of the semester you should be able to:2
1. Use standard research tools such as lexicons, commentaries, and other relevant resources.
1 In case of inclement weather, please call 973-408-DUSC for announcements regarding campus closings. 2 The numerical orders in the following list does not reflect the priorities in the course.
2. Understand the basic rudiments of Biblical Hebrew that can be instrumental to one’s
exegetical work (for example, the alphabet, grammar, and syntax of the language).
3. Formulate a set of critical questions (some of which you might not have previously
considered or permitted yourself to ask) that can help you engage the scholarly discussion
on the text at your exegetical inquiry.
4. Identify the importance of context on a number of levels: as it relates to ancient
communities behind the biblical texts; as it relates to the placement of a biblical passage,
for example, within a larger story; and as it relates to the role of the reader/interpreter.
5. Engage in, and lead, discussion on a biblical passage with competence and confidence in
articulating the text’s complexity, as well as its reception in both religious and academic
traditions.
III. Required Text
Gunn, David M. and Danna Nolan Fewell. Narrative in the Hebrew Bible. Oxford: Oxford
University Press, 1993.
The Jewish Study Bible featuring The Jewish Publication Society TANAKH Translation.
Oxford/New York: Oxford University Press, 2004. (JSB TNK in schedule)
The Harper Collins Study Bible. New Revised Standard Version. Wayne Meeks, ed. New York,
NY: Harper Collins, 2006. (NRSV in schedule)
IV. Course Requirements, Assignments, and Grading
This course will be most beneficial when you are well prepared for class and all the assignments
are completed on time. Each new skill builds upon previous weeks’ work. Thus, failing to
complete assignments or missing classes is will adversely affect your development.
Generally, students are expected to spend approximately 4 hours weekly outside of class in
preparation for this course.
Students will be expected to check regularly their Drew e-mail and our Moodle site for updates
or changes to our class schedule and weekly topics.
Grading will be determined as follows:
This class is Pass-or-Fail: Unexcused absences will result in a lowered grade; 3 or more will
result in a forfeiture of course credit. An average of 73% (or C) and above will be considered
a passing grade. The following grading scale will be used for the final assignment and course