NEW COURSE
ANE 222 / HDS 1154 – Hebrew Bible Studies: Past and Future Trajectories
Semester: Fall
Offered: 2022
Instructor: Julia Rhyder
Meeting Time: W 12:00pm-2:45pm
This seminar examines the historical development of Hebrew Bible studies and the principal challenges facing the field today. Beginning with a survey of key works that shaped past research, the seminar turns to explore current controversies: How should we understand the relationship between the Bible and other ancient Near Eastern traditions? How does the quest for the historical authors of the Bible and their intentions continue to shape the field? What role should social-scientific theories play in biblical exegesis? And how do the context and identity(ies) of the reader shape interpretation? In parallel, the seminar will reckon with thorny questions that concern the future of the field, including issues of diversity and inclusion, the legacy of cultural imperialism, and the politics of citation.
Recommended Prep: A background in the study of the Hebrew Bible is recommended. Recommended also is some acquaintance with biblical Hebrew.
Offered jointly with: Harvard Divinity School as HDS 1154
For more details please visit the Harvard Course Catalog.