Weekly Topics and Assigned Readings

Class One (13 September)

• Introduction to the course. Canon and order of books. Geographical and historical context; God’s creation and the loss of Eden
• Read: Genesis 1-11; Boadt: pp. 109-132 (optional, pp. 11-108)

Class Two (20 September)

• Blessings for all humanity promised through Abraham and Sarah; the descent into Egypt
• Read: Genesis 12-50; Boadt: pp.133-154

Class Three (27 September)

• The ascent to the land of promise
• Read: Exodus 1-34; Leviticus 4-22; Numbers 6-31 ; Boadt: pp. 155-194; (optional: Exodus 35-40; Leviticus 1-3, 23-27; Numbers 1-5, 32-36)

Class Four (4 October)

• The crossing of the Jordan, occupation of the land, and the chaos of the tribes of Israel
• Read: Joshua and Judges; Boadt: 195-212

Class Five (11 October)

• The rise of kings, the prophets, the covenant with David, and the eventual demise of Israel and Judah.
• Read: 1 Samuel; 2 Samuel 11-19; 1 Kings 1-14, 17-19, 21; 2 Kings 1-5, 15-25); (optional: 2 Samuel 1-10, 20-24; 1 Kings 15-16, 20, 22; 2 Kings 6-14); Boadt 227-244, 292-308

Class Six (18 October)

• The rise of the classical prophets; the fall of the northern kingdom.
• Read: Amos, Hosea, Isaiah 1-39; Boadt: 309-337; (optional: Micah)

Class Seven (25 October)

• Deuteronomy, the Josianic reform, and the last days of the kingdom of Judah.
• Read: Deuteronomy 1-11, 26-34, Jeremiah, Ezekiel 1-23, 37-43; (optional: Deuteronomy 12-25, Zephaniah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Ezekiel 24-36, 44-48); Boadt: 338-382

Class Eight (1 November)

• The exile and return
• Read: Isaiah 40-66, Zechariah, Malachi; Boadt: 383-404; (optional: Haggai)

Class Nine (8 November)

• Reestablishing city, temple, and society
• Read: Ruth, Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel (optional: Jonah, Chronicles, 1 Maccabees) Boadt: 449-459, 500-501

Class Ten (16 March)

• The wisdom tradition
• Read: Psalms 1-51, 120-150, Song Of Songs, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job 1-14, 32-42; (optional: Psalms 52-119; Job 15-31; Sirach 42:15-50:24; Wisdom of Solomon 7-9); Boadt: 472-491