BIBL 331     Elementary Biblical Hebrew I  (3)

An introduction to Biblical Hebrew, beginning with the alphabet. This course cannot be used toward fulfillment of the foreign language requirement in the college.

BIBL 332     Elementary Biblical Hebrew II  (3)

This course is a continuation of Beginning Biblical Hebrew I. This course cannot be used in fulfillment of any general distribution requirement in the College. Prerequisite: BIBL 331.

BIBL 333     Intermediate Biblical Hebrew I  (3)

This course examines matters of syntax and linguistic pragmatics with particular attention to how they affect matters of exegesis. The focus is on biblical prose texts. Prerequisite: BIBL 332.

BIBL 334     Intermediate Biblical Hebrew II  (3)

This course is a continuation of Old Testament translation, which is usually begun in Intermediate Hebrew. The focus is on poetic rather than prose texts. This course cannot be used toward fulfillment of the foreign language requirement in the college. Prerequisite: BIBL 332.

BIBL 335     Advanced Biblical Hebrew I  (3)

This course critically examines an array of texts in the Hebrew Bible, placing particular emphasis on the “late features” and syntax of the books of Esther, Chronicles, and Ecclesiastes. Student combine diachronic analysis (historical linguistics) with synchronic (sociolinguistics). Predicated on student interest, we may also look briefly at Dead Sea Scroll Hebrew texts and the original Hebrew text of Sirach.

BIBL 339     Modern Hebrew I  (3)

An introduction to Modern Hebrew, the principal language spoken in Israel today, and to the rich Israeli and Arabic cultural milieu of the Holy Land. The course departs from the total immersion of the Israeli Ulpan method in that not all class instruction and conversation are conducted in Hebrew and more emphasis is on grammar and reading comprehension in the early stages. Rare Israeli videos, interactive language aids, and on-line resources enhance language acquisition and appreciation of Israeli culture. This course cannot be used in fulfillment of any general distribution requirement in the College and cannot be used in the religion major or minor. Prerequisite: The course presupposes introductory-level coursework in either biblical or Jewish studies.

BIBL 354     Old Testament: The Psalms  (3)

The study of Hebrew poetry and the exegesis of individual Psalms combined with broader questions of the development and organization of the collection and the history of its interpretation, including current theological issues that emerge from the Psalms. Some attention is also given to the place of the Psalms in contemporary worship. This course does not serve in fulfillment of any general distribution requirement in the College and does not count toward a major or minor in Religion. Prerequisite: One 100-level Religion course other than 161, 162, or 163.

BIBL 355     The Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books of the Old Testament  (3)

This seminar focuses on books of the Bible that appear in major manuscripts of the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate but have been excluded from the Hebrew canon. The course examines the diversity within Second Temple Judaism as the context for the Jesus movement. Books represented in the Episcopal lectionary are emphasized. Prerequisite: This course presupposes introductory-level coursework in either biblical or Jewish studies.

BIBL 356     Dead Sea Scrolls  (3)

A study of the Dead Sea scrolls, one of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century, and their impact on human understanding of the development of inspired scripture, the Bible, early Judaism, and Christian origins. This course does not fulfill any general distribution requirement. Prerequisite: An introductory Religion course in the college. (Credit, three semester hours.).

BIBL 359     Old Testament: Book of Isaiah  (3)

This is a seminar-style study of the Old Testament Book of Isaiah, a book whose contents figure centrally in the beliefs of both Jews and Christians. The course investigates issues pertaining to the biblical canon, "Isaianic authorship," messianic prophecy, and the impact of the Babylonian exile, including the socioeconomic and theological disputes that arose within the Israelite communities as a result. Questions about the problems of violent, often gender-specific, language in prophetic texts are also considered. Prerequisite: HUMN 101-202 or a 100-level course in religion excluding RELG 161, RELG 162, and RELG 163. RELG 143 or RELG 144 is recommended.

BIBL 360     Priests and Conflict  (3)

Students gain a sense of the historical and literary (including the Apocrypha and extra-canonical writings like the Dead Sea Scrolls) evolution of phenomena related to the priesthood resulting from socio-political and theological developments over the centuries. Prerequisite: HUMN 101-202 or a 100-level course in religion excluding RELG 161, RELG 162, and RELG 163. RELG 143 or RELG 144 is recommended.