The Bible as Literature (220-0-20)
Instructors
Regina Schwartz
Meeting Info
Harris Hall L06: Tues, Thurs 9:30AM - 10:50AM
Overview of class
This course is meant to familiarize you with the most influential text in Western culture from a literary perspective. No previous acquaintance with the Bible is presupposed. We will consider such questions as the variety of literary genres in the Bible—primeval myth, epic, lyric poetry, prophecy, proto-novel; the representation of God as a literary character; and dominant images and themes. We will focus on those books that have had greatest literary interest or influence. From the Torah we will read Genesis, Exodus, and parts of Numbers, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy; from the Prophets, Amos, Hosea, Jonah, selections from Jeremiah and Second Isaiah; and from the Writings, the books of Judges, Ruth, Psalms and the Song of Solomon, along with the stories of Kings Saul and David and portions of the Wisdom literature. In the New Testament, we will read selections from the Gospels according to Matthew, Luke, and John and the book of Revelation. (We're skipping Paul because he's more a theologian than a literary writer.)
Class Materials (Required)
The Bible, (either the Oxford Annotated Bible (ISBN 0190276088) or the Jerusalem Bible (ISBN 0525573194) are preferred).
Recommended Reading:
Bernhard Anderson, Understanding the Old Testament
Robert Alter, The Art of Biblical Narrative
Regina Schwartz, The Curse of Cain: The Violent Legacy of Monotheism
Bart Ehrman, The Bible: A Historical and Literary Introduction
Class Attributes
Ethical and Evaluative Thinking Foundational Disci
Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline
Interdisciplinary Distro-rules apply
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area
Ethics & Values Distro Area