REL 302 - Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)

1 course unit

The Hebrew Bible is the most significant touchstone of western literature and civilization and serves as a foundation for the three major western religious traditions. In order to appreciate many aspects of western culture, from an etching by Rembrandt to a novel by Steinbeck or even an episode of the Simpsons, not to mention the religious life and thought of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, it is often necessary to be familiar with the text of the Hebrew Bible. This course is designed to provide an opportunity for students to read and understand some of the most important and fascinating parts of the Hebrew Bible from the narratives of Genesis and Exodus to the histories of the Kings of Israel to the poetry of the Prophets and Writings. In addition to biblical narrative, we will also explore the historical life and setting of the biblical world through archeological evidence, some of which has only very recently been discovered. No previous study of Hebrew Bible expected.
Meets general academic requirement HU.