HEBREW 256 / HDS 1423 – The Poetics of Biblical Composition: Foundational Principles of Hebrew Narrative Art

HEBREW 256 / HDS 1423 – The Poetics of Biblical Composition: Foundational Principles of Hebrew Narrative Art

Semester: Fall
Offered: 2024
Instructor: Andrew Teeter
Meeting Time: Th 3:00pm-5:00pm

A study of select narratives from the Hebrew Bible to function as case studies for exploring the nature of compositional artistry in this corpus. Particular attention will be given to stylistic and structural features, to principles of organization, to literary strategy and argumentation, to textual logic, and to overall expectations made of readers, both ancient and modern. These texts and underlying principles of design will be considered in the context of major debates within the current state of the field.

Recommended Prep: The course will presume basic proficiency with Biblical Hebrew. A minimum of one year of Hebrew is prerequisite.

Offered jointly with: Harvard Divinity School as HDS 1423

For more details please visit the Harvard Course Catalog.