Andrews University

Department of Religion

RELB110 Syllabus 2006

Biblical Backgrounds

  Field School Version, 3 credits

Instructor:   Keith Mattingly, Ph.D.

                     matt@andrews.edu

Instructor’s Professional Background: Dr. Mattingly is the Chair of the Department of Religion and Biblical Languages.  Within the department he has been instrumental in developing a strong practicum component.  Outside the department he has developed programs such as Chapel Choices.  Outside of Andrews he is the Chair of the Stevensville SDA Church board and president of the Country Acres Home Owners Association.  His research is mainly in the area of Biblical Studies.  Dr. Mattingly is the Co-Director for Administration and Records of the Hesban Excavations where last season he had the joy of unearthing a four line Byzantine Greek inscription on a door lintel.  His research has been funded by Andrews University.

I. Course Description:

Archaeological, cultural, geographical, and historical backgrounds of the Old and New Testament.

II. Course Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • Explain the salient geographical features of the lands of the Bible
  • Explain the geographical setting of various biblical events and stories
  • Explain the historical and cultural context of various biblical events and stories
  • Understand the importance of the Everyday Life in Biblical Israel
  • Understand the role of archaeology in illuminating biblical events and stories

III. Course Requirements:

  • Assigned Readings: Readings for this course will be drawn from four different textbooks. You will be using the Holy Land Atlas to learn about the landscape and geography of the lands of the Bible,   Life in Biblical Israel will introduce you to everyday life in Bible times; Peoples of the Old Testament will tell you about the various people groups mentioned in the Bible; and The Bible Unearthed will illustrate for you an example of the so-called “minimalist” view of ancient Israel as presented by leading Israeli archeologists.
  • Notebook Journal: As you read each assigned chapter in the various textbooks, write down your thoughts and reactions to each chapter in a notebook journal. Also include your reactions to lectures and tours and to the virtual tour project. The journal may be written by hand or using a word processor.
  • Lectures and Tours: As part of your participation in the field school you will be expected to attend various lectures and to join several dig sponsored tours, which will include visits to many biblical sites. Come prepared to take notes. You are also welcome to make drawings and take pictures as appropriate. Keep track of all handouts and notes based on lectures and tours by gathering them in a folder or notebook binder.
  • Virtual Tour Project: Using the Cleave Satellite Atlas, prepare a virtual tour of the Holy Land in which you either visit major sites connected with the conquest and settlement of Israel in Palestine or visit the major cities and regions connected with the ministry of Jesus. The tour should be accompanied by a written text presenting the itinerary you have developed. You may collaborate with fellow class mates on this project.
  • Final Exam: A final exam will be administered at the conclusion of the field season. It will cover assigned readings and content covered in lectures, tours and projects.

IV. Grading Standards:

Assignment

Points

%

Notebook Journal based on Assigned Readings

100

25

Lectures and Tours

100

25

Virtual Tour Project

100

25

Final Exam

100

25

TOTAL

400

100


Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

A

94 – 100 %

A-

90 – 93 %

B+

87 – 89 %

B

83 – 86 %

B-

80 – 82 %

C+

75 – 79 %

C

70 – 74 %

C-

65 – 69 %

D

60 – 64 %

F

0 – 59 %


VI. Assignment Submission:

  • Students should be pro-active in completing assignment in a timely manner
  • Notebook journal, lectures/tour binder and virtual tour project are due 07 September
  • It is the students responsibility to make sure the teacher gets his/her assignment

VII. Academic Honesty:

Students are expected to display honesty in all academic matters. Please review the Academic Integrity statement found in the University Bulletin for a complete description of what constitutes academic dishonesty along with the consequences for such academic behavior.

VIII. Textbooks:

Richard  Cleave, ed. (required)

1999        The Holy Land Satellite Atlas. Nicosia, Cyprus : Rohr Productions. Vols 1-2.

Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman (required)

2001    The Bible Unearthed: Archaeology’s New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Its Sacred Texts. New York : The Free Press

Alfred J. Hoerth, Gerald L. Mattingly and Edwin M. Yamauchi, eds (required)

1994        Peoples of the Old Testament World. Grand Rapids, MI : Baker Books

Philip J. King and Lawrence E. Stager (required)

            2001    Life in Biblical Israel. London : Westminister John Know Press

IX. Course Outline:

05-02 Tue        Read Holy Land Atlas Vol 1, Sec 1: Archaeological and Historical Summary

05-09 Tue        Read Holy Land Atlas Vol 2, Introduction pp 2-11. Begin preparing virtual tour

05-16 Tue        Complete first version of virtual tour using CD provided with Atlas

05-23 Tue        Read  People of the OT World Part 1: Assyrians p.77; and Persians p 107

05-30 Tue       Read People of the OT World Part 2: Canaanites and Amorites p 157;

                       and Philistines p 231

06-06 Tue        Read People of the OT World Part 3: Ammonites p 293

06-13 Tue        Read People of the OT World Part 3: Moabites p 317

06-20 Tue        Read People of the OT World Part 3: Edomites p 335

06-27 Tue        Read People of the OT World Part 2: Egyptians p 251

07-11 Tue        Read  Life in Biblical Israel  Chapter 1 Introduction and Chapter 2 The Israelite House and Household

07-18 Tue        Read Life in Biblical Israel Chapter 3 The Means of Existence and Chapter 4 Patrimonial Kingdom

07-25 Tue        Read Life in Biblical Israel Chapter 6 Culture and the Expressive Life and Chapter 7 Religious Institutions

08-01 Tue        Read The Bible Unearthed  Introduction and Chapter 2. Did the Exodus Happen

                       

08-08 Tue        Turn in RELB110 Portfolio of Work:

·        Copy of Course Syllabus

·        Reading Reactions in Notebook Journal

·        Lectures and Tour Binder

·        Virtual Tour Project

·        Course Evaluation Essay (min 250 words)

08-16 Wed      Write Final Exam ( 2pm, Religion Department)