This unit is an introduction to the Old Testament. It consists of a study of the history and geography of biblical Israel, as well as a survey of the literature of the Old Testament and its formation. It includes an introduction to some contemporary critical methodologies used to explore biblical texts and an application of these to specific texts.
Unit code: BA1000Y
Unit status: Approved (Major revision)
Points: 18.0
Unit level: Undergraduate Level 1
Unit discipline: Old Testament
Delivery Mode: Blended
Proposing College: Yarra Theological Union
Show when this unit is running| 1. | Articulate a basic knowledge of the history of Israel/Judah, ca. 1000 – 63 BCE, and of the geography of the biblical land and its surrounds |
| 2. | Demonstrate an understanding of the books and structure of the Old Testament canon and the main types of biblical literature found there |
| 3. | Exegete a text of the Old Testament, showing a familiarity with contemporary critical methods of interpretation |
| 4. | Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary debates about the historicity of the Old Testament and describe the ongoing significance of the text for the Christian community |
| . |
Synchronous and asynchronous lectures and tutorials, class exegesis of texts
Bible, with the Deuterocanonical or Apocrypha Books. NRSV (New Revised Standard Version)
Albertz, Rainer. A History of Israelite Religion in the Old Testament Period. Volume 1: From the Beginnings until the End of the Exile. London: SCM, 1994.
–––––––. A History of Israelite Religion in the Old Testament Period. Volume 2: From the Exile to the Maccabees. London: SCM, 1994.
Carr, David M. The Formation of the Hebrew Bible: A New Reconstruction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011.
Collins, John J. Introduction to the Hebrew Bible. 3rd ed. 4 vols. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 2019.
Coogan, Michael D. The Old Testament: A Historical and Literary Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures, New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.
Estes, Daniel J. Handbook on the Wisdom Books and Psalms. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2005.
Hayes, John H., and Carl R. Holladay. Biblical Exegesis: A Beginner’s Handbook. 3rd ed. Atlanta, GA: John Knox, 2007.
Redditt, Paul L. Introduction to the Prophets. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2008.
Ska, Jean-Louis. Introduction to Reading the Pentateuch. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2006.
Sumney, Jerry L, and Erica Rieck. The Bible: An Introduction. 2nd ed. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2014.
| Type | Description | Word count | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 4000 | 100.0 |
Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 25 Jun, 2026
Unit record last updated: 2026-06-25 09:24:13 +1000