RE40: "Prophets"
This course examines the writings and roles of biblical prophets within an extended context that includes prophecy in the ancient Near East, New Testement views of prophecy, and modern adaptations of the prophetic role as agent of social, religious, and political change. Resources will be drawn from non-biblical traditions and works in anthropology, sociology, feminist, and African-American studies. Area C, Spring semester, odd years.
[Schedule of Topics (Feb, Mar, Apr, May) , Textbooks, Books on Reserve, Study Guides and Worksheets ]
Syllabus
Professor: Dr. Andy Vaughn
- office: Old Main 103A
- office telephone: x7475
- home telephone: 507-625-2797 (before 9pm)
- email: avaughn@gustavus.edu
- office hours: MW 1:30-3:00pm; & by appointment
Blenkinsopp, Joseph. A History of Prophecy in Israel, Revised and enlarged. Louisville: Westminster / John Knox Press, 1996. Abbreviated "Blenkinsopp" below.
Gitay, Yehoshua, ed. Prophecy and Prophets: The Diversity of Contemporary Issues in Scholarship. Semeia Studies. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1996. Abbreviated "Prophecy" below.
Newsome, James D., Jr., The Hebrew Prophets. Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1984. Abbreviated "Newsome" below.
Additional Text:
The Bible. Either NRSV, NIV, JPS, or another approved translation. A paraphrase such as the Good News Bible or Living Bible or the King James Version may not be used exclusively. The professor recommends the Harper-Collins Study Bible, ed. by W. Meeks.
Anticipated Method of Evaluation:
Short exegetical paper 15% Attendance & participation 15% -(may include pop-quizes) First Exam 20% Second Exam 20% Group Project 10% Final paper (a short paper that is expanded) 20% ____ 100%
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND READINGS
Feb. 08 (M): Course introduction and "What are Prophets Anyway?"
10 (W): Rethinking "Prophetic Literature"
- -Prophecy, 23-40
- -Blenkinsopp, 1-30
12 (F): Exegesis session on Jud 6:36-40
- -read Jud 6:36-30
- -Prophecy, 7-22
- -complete worksheet that will be handed out in class
15 (M): The Social Location of the Prophet
- -Blenkinsopp, 30-39
- -Prophecy, 89-108
17 (W): The Prophets Before Amos
- -Blenkinsopp, 40-48
- -Newsome, 1-15
- -1 Sam 9:1-10:16
19 (F): 1 Kgs 22:13-28
- -complete worksheet to be handed out in class
- -Prophecy, 57-87
- -1st round of four-page papers: Marshall Lichty; Nick Eyde; Christian Muellerleile.
22 (M): Elijah and Elisha:
-1 Kgs 17-19; 2 Kgs 1-2; 4-5
24 (W): Amos
- -Newsome, 16-26
- -Amos chapters 1, 3-6; chapter 7:10-17
26 (F): Amos 5:21-24
- -Newsome, 26-29
- -complete worksheet that will be handed out in class
- -1st round of four-page papers: Tracy Vicory; Tim Andeen; Tim Wheatley; Jenny DeReu; Jack Shelton
- -Blenkinsopp, 82-90
- -Newsome, 30-43
- -Hosea chapters 1-4; 9, 11, 14
03 (W): Micah
- -Blenkinsopp, 91-97
- -Newsome, 44-55
- -Micah chapters 1-2, 6-7
05 (F): Micah 6:6-8
- -Newsome, 54-57
- -complete worksheet that will be handed out in class
- -1st round of four-page papers: Andy Carlson; Ryan McAnnany; Bryan McWhite; Jason Tomalia.
08 (M): Isaiah of Jerusalem
- -Newsome, 58-71
- -Blenkinsopp, 97-110
- -Isaiah chapters 1-3, 6, 36-39
- -Psalms 46-48
10 (W): use of Mosiac and Davidic Covenants
- -Gen 12:1-4
- -2 Sam 7
- -Exodus 19-20; Deuteronomy 4-5
12 (F): Isa 6:1-13
- -Newsome, 71-73
- -complete worksheet that will be distributed on the web.
- -2nd round of four-page papers: Marshall Lichty; Nick Eyde; Christian Muellerleile.
- -Isa 7:1 - 11:16
17 (W): Nahum
- -Newsome, 87-91
- -Blenkinsopp, 121-129
- -Nahum chapter 1-3
19 (F): Isa 7:10-17
- -Newsome, 73-76
- -complete worksheet that will be distributed on the web.
- -2nd round of four-page papers: Tracy Vicory; Tim Andeen; Tim Wheatley; Jenny DeReu; Jack Shelton
22 (M): First Exam (20%)
-A study guide will be distributed over the web before this test
24 (W): Zephaniah
- -Newsome, 79-86
- -Blenkinsopp, 111-121
- -Zephaniah chapters 1-3
26 (F): Zeph 1:14-18
- -complete worksheet that will be distributed on the web
- -2nd round of papers: Andy Carlson; Rachel Mathison; Ryan McAnnany; Bryan McWhite; Jason Tomalia.
29 (M): Spring Break
31 (W): Spring Break
07 (W): Habbakkuk
- -Newsome, 92-100
- -Blenkinsopp, 121-129
- -Habbakkuk chapters 1-3
09 (F): No Class (professor at conference)
12 (M): Jeremiah
- -Newsome, 101-115
- -Blenkinsopp, 129-147
- -Jeremiah chapters 1-6
14 (W): Jeremiah
- -Newsome, 115-122
- -Prophecy, 41-53
- -Jeremiah chapters 26-29, 31:31 - chapter 34
16 (F): Jer 31:31-34
- -Newsome, 122-123
- -complete worksheet that will be distributed on the web
- -3rd round of four-page papers: Marshall Lichty; Nick Eyde; Christian Muellerleile.
19 (M): Ezekiel
- -Newsome, 124-134
- -Blenkinsopp, 148-164
- -Ezekiel chapters 1-3; 8-11
21 (W): Ezekiel
- -Newsome, 134-138
- -Blenkinsopp, 165-180
- -Ezekiel chapters 40:48 through 48:35
23 (F): Ez 36:16-38
- -complete worksheet that will be distributed on the web
- -3rd round of four-page papers: Tracy Vicory; Tim Andeen; Tim Wheatley; Jenny DeReu; Jack Shelton
26 (M): The Second Isaiah
- -Newsome, 139-151
- -Blenkinsopp, 181-193
- -Isaiah 40-46
28 (W): The Second Isaiah
- -Newsome, 151-156
- -Isaiah 47-55
30 (F): Isa 55
- -complete worksheet that will be distributed on the web
- -3rd round of papers: Andy Carlson; Rachel Mathison; Ryan McAnnany; Bryan McWhite; Jason Tomalia.
- -Blenkinsopp, 112-222
- -Newsome, 170-179
- -Prophecy, 109-128
- -Isaiah chapter 56, 65-66
05 (W): Zechariah
- -Newsome, 164-169
- -Blenkinsopp, 194-212
- -Zechariah chapters 1-8
07 (F): make-up day and / or review for second exam
10 (M): Second Exam (20%)
-A study guide will be distributed over the web before this test.
12 (W): group presentation
14 (F): group presentation
17 (M): group presentation
19 (W): wrap-up discussion
Exam period: Final Paper (30%)
- -The final paper should be a revision and expansion of an earlier exegetical paper.
- -The paper should be about 8-10 pages in length.
- -You must use the Religion II Index on CD ROM as part of your research, so make sure to begin early in order to allow time for the ordering of articles and books on inter-library loan.
- The paper is due at the hour the registrar sets for the final exam for the course (note: graduating seniors will need to turn their papers in earlier so that the grades can be ready for graduation).