| CODE | SHG2260 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Prophetic, Apocalyptic and Wisdom Literature | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Sacred Scripture, Hebrew and Greek | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Pre-requisite Foundations of Theology This study-unit will be equally divided between Prophetic and Apocalyptic Literature (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel and the Twelve Minor Prophets) and Wisdom Literature (Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes or Qohelet, Ecclesiasticus or Sirach and Wisdom). Since many of these books were written in poetic form, we will begin by exploring the characteristics of Hebrew poetry. An introduction will then be given to explore the history, nature, characteristic literary forms and main issues tackled by the three traditions. Some of the books representing each tradition will be studied briefly. Study-Unit Aims: The aim of the study-unit is to introduce students to the vast body of prophetic literature, including its much smaller apocalyptic expression, as well as the five sapiential books of the Old Testament. Students will be made to appreciate the distinctive quality and diversity of these texts, even from a poetical point of view, as well as the significant differences between them. Detailed analysis of parts of this literature will be presented in the light of the particular socio-religious contexts in which they were written and of their position within the larger biblical narrative for students to have a better grasp of the Biblical language used. As for prophetic literature, which will occupy the greater part of the study-unit, its development in contrast to its expression in the Ancient Near East will be highlighted, thereby showing its unique nature. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. Describe the main traits of the prophetic ministry from its inception in the pre-monarchic period up to the post-exilic phase; 2. Locate particular prophets and prophetic texts within their specific socio-political and religious milieus; 3. Evaluate the relevance of apocalyptic texts within the particular historical contexts out of which they arose; 4. Identify the universal features exhibited by wisdom texts in Biblical and parabiblical texts; 5. Show how sapiential literature fits into the development of Sacred Scripture within the History of Salvation. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. Hypothesize on the possible cultural background that gave rise to certain prophetic and wisdom texts;;;; 2. Compare pre-exilic texts with post-exilic ones; 3. Point out the features of the characteristic literary forms of prophetic, apocalyptic and wisdom literature; 4. Distinguish between different speech forms of prophetic literature. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Blenkinsopp, Joseph. A History of Prophecy in Israel. Louisville Ky.: Westminster John Knox Press, 1999. - C. Hassell Bullock. An Introduction to the Old Testament Prophetic Books. Moody Publishers, 2007. - Crenshaw, James L. Old Testament Wisdom: An Introduction. Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox Press, 1998. - Hanson, Paul D, Lloyd R Bailey, and Victor Paul Furnish. Old Testament Apocalyptic. Nashville, 1987. - John Joseph Collins. The Apocalyptic Imagination: An Introduction to Jewish Apocalyptic Literature. Grand Rapids, Mich: William B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2016. - Murphy, Roland E. Proverbs. Grand Rapids, Mi: Zondervan, 2015. - The Tree of Life: An Exploration of Biblical Wisdom Literature. Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans, 2002. - Nairne, Alexander. The Book of Job. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013. - Nogalski, James. The Book of the Twelve: Hosea--Jonah. Macon, Ga: Smyth & Helwys Pub, 2011. - Rofé, Alexander. Introduction to the Prophetic Literature. Sheffield, England: Sheffield Academic Press, 1997. Supplementary Readings: - Balentine, Samuel E. “The Prophet as Intercessor: A Reassessment.” Journal of Biblical Literature 103, no. 2 (June 1984): 161–73. - Claus Westermann. Basic Forms of Prophetic Speech. Cambridge: Lutterworth, 1991. - Smith, Gary V. Interpreting the Prophetic Books: An Exegetical Handbook. Grand Rapids, Mich: Kregel, Cop, 2014. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Stefan Attard |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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