REL 311.001
The English Bible as Literature

Professor
Dr. Ted Trost
ttrost@bama.ua.edu

Office: 206 Manly Hall
Office Phone: 348-7534
Office Hour: to be announced
Course: TR 12:30-1:45
Location: 210 Manly Hall

About Online Readings

Some course readings are placed in a "secure" folder; you can only access these PDF files (Portable Document Format, that can be opened with the free Adobe Reader) by clicking each link and then entering your Bama User Name and Password. If you have difficulty accessing these readings, contact the instructor by email.

If you have forgotten your Bama ID, but know your Campus Wide ID (CWID), then go here.

Description

This course offers a critical study of the Hebrew Bible (TANAKH) and the Christian Bible as distinct but related literary and theological traditions. Stories will be examined in light of their cultural and historical contexts. Emphasis will be placed on the literary-above all, the narrative-qualities of the texts (for example, the uses of symbol, metaphor, repetition; typology and myth; dialogue and type-scenes), though other approaches to the study of the Bible will be encouraged and explored throughout the semester. Goals of the course include: 1] an understanding of how the English Bible is constructed; 2] an understanding of the literary and theological relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament; 3] an appreciation for the significance of TANAKH as a distinct literary and theological tradition; and 4] a greater familiarity with some of the stories that have provided the foundation upon which Western Civilization has been constructed.

Syllabus

Fall 2006 Syllabus (pdf)

Books (required)

The Harper Collins Study Bible:
New Revised
New York: Harper Collins 1993
ISBN 0767405935

Harris, Stephen L. Understanding the Bible, 6th Edition
Mountain View, CA: Mayfield, 2004
ISBN 0767429168

Online Readings

To be announced