Per the title of the course, we will study the Biblical texts as we would study other literature, emphasizing authorship, literary modes, and genres, as well as using literary terminology, methods of inquiry, and analysis. While the Biblical Scriptures hold great religious significance for many people, these texts are not discussed in a devotional or moral capacity here. If you unable to examine these texts from a literary perspective, this may not be the course for you. Course Policies 1. Separate instructions will be handed out for each test and paper.
Tests are closed book.
These responses should be informal, journal-like, typed pieces, expressing your thoughts and reactions to the text. Do not be afraid to express puzzlement and unfamiliarity or even delight and interest. I am interested in your untutored, uncritical reactions to the texts. We will leave more structured and analytical writing for the formal papers. The class covers about 1,000 pages of literature, and you can fall irrevocably behind if you miss even a few of these three-hour classes.