Wisdom Literature (BA9012Y)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This course will undertake a study of Wisdom Literature. Specific texts will be studied from historical critical and literary perspectives. The unit studies two books from Wisdom Literature: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes (Qoholeth), Daniel and Job.

Unit code: BA9012Y

Unit status: Archived (Major revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Old Testament

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Yarra Theological Union

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Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate a knowledge of the structure and composition of the chosen books
2.

Analyse and explain the significance of literary forms

3.

Identify distinctive theological themes that emerge
4.

Evaluate the similarities and differences in the way that wisdom is depicted
5.

Critically discuss the issue of the continuing relevance of Wisdom Literature
6.

Demonstrate appropriate skills in critical biblical interpretation.

Unit sequence

Successful completion of BA 8000Y or equivalent

Pedagogy

Lectures, seminars, discussions

Indicative Bibliography

  • Brown, William P. Character in Crisis: A Fresh Approach to the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1996.
  • Brenner, Athalya and Carole R. Fontaine, eds. Wisdom and Psalms: A Feminist Companion to the Bible. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1998.
  • Crenshaw, James L. Old Testament Wisdom: An Introduction. Atlanta, GA: John Knox Press, 1998.
  • Estes, Daniel J. Handbook of Wisdom Books and Psalms. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Press, 2005.
  • Hunter, Alistair G. Wisdom Literature. London: SCM 2006.
  • Longman III, Tremper, and Peter Enns, eds. A Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry and Writings. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity, 2008.
  • Perdue, Leo G. Wisdom and Creation: The Theology of Wisdom. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 1994.
  • Perdue, Leo G. Wisdom Literature: A Theological History. Louisville, KY: Westminster, John Knox Press, 2007. Brown, William P. Character in Crisis: A Fresh Approach to the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1996.
  • Schipper, Bernd U., and D. Andrew Teeter, eds. Wisdom and Torah: The Reception of "Torah" in the Wisdom Literature of the Second Temple Period. Leiden: Brill, 2013.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

4500 word major essay

 4500 65.0
Exegetical Essay

3000 word exegetical paper

 3000 35.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 26 Sep, 2015

Unit record last updated: 2021-06-07 08:43:51 +1000