2009 - 2010 Academic Catalog - Westminster Theological Seminary

{Course Descriptions}
OLD Testament
OT 761 Biblical and Targumic Aramaic
Purpose:
• To gain a competence in reading biblical Aramaic texts
• To be able to use the Targums as an
exegetical tool for the Hebrew Bible
Two hours will be devoted to biblical Aramaic grammar, with an
emphasis upon syntax, and reading comprehension of the Aramaic
portions of the Hebrew Bible. The third hour will introduce the student
to the Targums, which represent the exegetical and theological
context of first-century Judaism, and stand closer in language,
culture, and time to the original biblical text. Prerequisite, OT 013,
or equivalent.
Fall semester. Staff.
OT 773 Explorations in Biblical Hebrew Poetry
Purpose:
• To review recent theories on parallelism
and prosody in biblical Hebrew
• To investigate recent advances in biblical
Hebrew text-linguistics, and apply text-linguistic
theory to biblical Hebrew poetic texts
• To engage in original text-linguistic
research in the book of Jeremiah
Topics covered will include the nature of the grammar of Hebrew
poetry, formalist and functional text-linguistic theories and their
application to narrative and non-narrative genres in the Hebrew
Bible, and text-linguistic structure of the book of Jeremiah. A portion
of the course will involve seminar discussions led by students.
Spring semester. (Not given in 2009-2010.) Mr. Kelly.
OT 821 Genesis 1 – 3
Purpose:
• To engage in a grammatical-historical interpretation of
Genesis 1-3 (with particular attention to the ancient
Near Eastern background to these chapters and to their
literary function as an introduction to the Pentateuch)
• To reflect on the history of Jewish and Christian interpretation
of these chapters, from early Jewish to post-reformational
Topics covered include creation in the ancient Near East; Genesis
1-3 as an introduction to the Pentateuch; the image of God; royal
imagery in Genesis 1-3; Genesis 3: fall or maturation?; and Adam
in early Jewish and Christian interpretation.
Fall semester. (Not given in 2009-2010.) Mr. Green.
OT 903 Critical Methodologies
Purpose:
• To explore various methods and approaches
of biblical criticism and study
• To learn to be critical about the nature of one’s assumptions
concerning the nature of the Bible, its coherence, and its study
Topics covered include the traditional critical methods (source,
form, redaction) as well as the more contemporary approaches
(e.g., literary, canonical, reader-response, ideological, etc.)
Spring semester. Mr. Green.
OT 981, 983 Readings in Old Testament
Introduction and Theology
Purpose:
• To introduce the broad spectrum of Old
Testament introduction and theology
Topics covered include general introduction (canon, text, historical
background, and language); special introduction (background to
the individual books); critical methodologies; and Old Testament
theology. Required of all Ph.D. candidates in Hermeneutics and
Biblical Interpretation and limited to Ph.D. candidates only.
Fall and spring semesters. Students may take only one semester
for credit. Staff.
Holy Land Studies
Students may elect to take a course for credit during the Winter
Term at the Jerusalem University College in Jerusalem. See page
49 additional information. Course offerings are available in the
Registrar’s Office.
(Not given in 2009-2010.)
2009–2010
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