BIBL 314 Old Testament Poetical Books

An introductory study of Old Testament poetry with an analysis, interpretation and application of the contents of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon and Lamentations.

From a contextual and hermeneutically sensitive approach to the poetical writings, this course will enable the student to properly interpret the Old Testament poetic books. The instruction and wisdom presented in the poetic books is extremely practical to a person living in the twenty-first century.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

The student is required to complete all assigned readings as designated in the Learn section of each module.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each thread must be at least 500 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 300 words. (CLOs: B, C, D)

Position Paper on the Challenger in Job Assignment

The student will write a 1000- to 1500-word position paper in current Turabian format. In this paper, the student will formulate his or her own opinion regarding the identity of the Challenger (ha-satan) in Job, supporting it with good research. The student will present his or her position in a thoughtful essay on the topic. The paper must include at least 4 academic sources, including at least 1 journal article, in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible. (CLOs: B, C, D, E)

Psalm Explication Assignments (3)

The student will analyze a biblical psalm using the methodology presented in Ryken’s Sweeter Than Honey, Richer Than Gold. The assignment is divided into the following 3 phases:

1. Content Core and Structure: The student will systematically observe, identify, and describe the overall structure of his or her chosen psalm, and write the findings in 2-3 pages. No additional resources are required beyond the Bible and course textbooks, although the student may choose to consult other academic sources for this phase.
2. Verse-by-Verse Analysis: The student will systematically observe, identify, and describe the poetic texture of the psalm, and write the findings in 3-5 pages. In addition to the Bible and course textbooks, the student must consult at least 2 academic commentaries for this phase.
3. Final Paper: The student will bring together into one coherent paper the information gleaned in the previous two phases of this project. In addition, he or she will identify and describe one significant application point drawn from the chosen psalm for a modern Christian audience. The paper should be 2000-3000 words in length and consult at least 2 academic commentaries (from phase 2) in addition to the Bible and course textbooks. The paper must be in current Turabian format.

(CLOs: A, B, C, E)

Psalm Composition Assignment

The student will compose his or her own psalm, using principles of Hebrew poetry and psalm classifications learned in class. The psalm must be at least 12 lines long, include at least 5 different types of poetic devices, and be the original work of the student. The student will compose the psalm in a template provided in the course website. (CLO: A)

Quizzes (3)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned modules: weeks. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes. Quiz: Job will contain 10 multiple-choice questions and 2 short answer questions, and have a 30-minute time limit. Quiz: Psalms and Quiz: Proverbs-Lamentations will each contain 15 multiple-choice questions and 3 short answer questions, and have a 45-minute time limit. Students will be allowed two (2) attempts for each quiz with the highest grade being recorded in the grade book. (CLOs: A, B, C)