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ST. JOHN VIANNEY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Denver, Colorado
Spring 2010
Course Title: Prophets
Course Number: Theology 3260
Course Pre-requisites: Theo2590 Introduction to Sacred Scripture; Lang2010 Biblical Hebrew; Theo3113 Pentateuch
Day: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Time: 8:00-9:50 a.m.
Location: E 171
Instructor: Sister M. Timothea Elliott, RSM, SSD
Office Hours: Room 1111,Mon., Wed., Fri: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Ext. 3441 Or by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
What is known regarding the rise of prophecy in Israel emerges from the stories of the Pentateuch, the Deuteronomistic History, and the traditions dating from the ninth century B.C. These accounts will be reviewed for the information they provide regarding the vocabulary of prophecy, the characteristics of prophetic figures, their place in the society of the Ancient Near East and the historical circumstances that led to the written collections of prophetic oracles. The later or "classical prophets" will be approached through their literature.
GOALS:
UNITS OF STUDY:
Objective: The student will come to an understanding of the place of prophecy in the cultures of the Ancient Near East, the "prophetic tradition" of Israel as evidenced in the Pentateuch and the Deuteronomistic History.
Objectives: The student will identify those events and social changes which required that prophetic oracles be committed to writing and kept for future generations. The student will become acquainted with the content, literary forms, themes and motifs of prophetic literature.
Objective: The student will survey the history and the religious reforms of the late seventh and early sixth centuries B.C. to understand those events which led up to the destruction of Jerusalem, the exile of the inhabitants of Judah, and a major reconfiguration of religious thought and practice during this period within the context of the Book of Jeremiah.
Objective: The student will examine the books of Ezekiel and Second Isaiah in order to discover the shift that occurs in prophetic thought when the theological convictions of pre-exilic Israel come under scrutiny.
Objective: Through the study of the post-exilic prophets, the student will observe the rise of Messianism and the eschatological reinterpretation of Prophecy.
Objective: The student will reflect upon movements of continuity and discontinuity between Old Testament and New Testament Prophecy, and the prophetic aspects of the ordained, sacramental priesthood.
TEACHING METHODOLOGIES
*The Professor will present some material in lecture style, employing visual aids where appropriate.
*The students will have assigned readings from the Bible and their textbook to prepare as a basis for class-discussion.
*The distinctive methodologies for Old Testament research will be introduced in class and students will employ them in a brief exegetical paper.
*Students will receive a select bibliography of books kept on reserve in the Cardinal Stafford Library to assist them in their research.
* A mid-semester and final exam will evaluate the student's mastery of material and capacity to integrate and apply concepts.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
The Holy Bible. The preferred translation is The Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition. This is the translation that will be used in class. However, students are free to use the New American Bible since it is used in the Lectionary.
Students are required to bring a complete Bible to every class.
The textbook for the course is Introduction to the Prophets: Their Stories, Sayings and Scrolls by Thomas L. Leclerc. Mahwah, NJ (Paulist Press) 2007.
In addition, students may refer to A Brief History of Ancient Israel by Victor H. Matthews. Westminster (John Knox Press) 1996. This book was a text for the Course on Pentateuch and may be helpful for historical background.
Excellent commentaries will be placed on reserve in the library to assist with independent research and writing.
One paper of six pages, plus footnotes and bibliography, double spaced, dealing with a single text or theme from a prophetic book is required in this writing intensive course. "Suggestions" will be provided, and students must have their choice of topic approved prior to writing the paper and must follow the directives regarding methodology.
Class attendance and participation in discussion is presumed (10 %)
Mid-semester exam (25%)
Final exam (35%)
Written paper (30%)
CALENDAR OF TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS
January
February
March
April
May