THBS211 - Psalms and Old Testament Wisdom Literature

Year

Credit points

Campus offering

Prerequisites

THBS100 Introduction to the Bible

Teaching organisation

Unit rationale, description and aim

The Psalms and Wisdom Literature of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament reflect the yearning of the poets and sages of ancient Israel to comprehend God and their own place in creation. Focussing on selected books from the Psalter, Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs , the unit explores the importance of the Psalms and Wisdom traditions for understanding the worldviews and cultic practices of ancient Israel and Judah. Special attention will be given to the way literary and canonical forms contribute to the theological messages of these biblical texts. Taking into account differences in contexts and hermeneutical perspectives, students will also be encouraged to reflect on the reception of the Psalms and Wisdom traditions and their influence on later Jewish and Christian thought and practice.

The aim of THBS211 is to introduce students to the forms and content of the Psalms and Wisdom Literature and to provide opportunities for them to critically reflect on the significance of these texts for biblical interpretation and the formation of the Christian tradition.

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

LO1 - Identify and describe characteristic forms and features of Hebrew poetry (GA8; GA9)

LO2 - Assess the implications of genre for the interpretation and exegesis of the Old Testament Psalms and Wisdom Literature (GA4; GA8)

LO3 - Analyse the theological content of the Old Testament Psalms and Wisdom Literature by using appropriate critical methodologies (GA1; GA5; GA8)

LO4 - Critically reflect upon the place of the Psalms and Wisdom Literature within the Christian tradition, taking into account differences in contexts and hermeneutical perspectives. (GA1; GA4). 

Graduate attributes

GA1 - demonstrate respect for the dignity of each individual and for human diversity 

GA4 - think critically and reflectively 

GA5 - demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession 

GA8 - locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information 

GA9 - demonstrate effective communication in oral and written English language and visual media 

Content

Topics will include: 

• A survey of the Psalms and Wisdom Literature; 
• The social and canonical settings of the Psalms and Wisdom Literature with reference to their ancient Near Eastern context;  
• The character and forms of Hebrew poetry and Wisdom Literature with reference to their ancient Near Eastern context; 
• Critical methods and concepts for the study of Hebrew Poetry and Wisdom Literature; 
• A close reading of selected texts from the Psalms and Wisdom Literature. 

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

This unit involves 150 hours of focused learning, or the equivalent of 10 hours per week for 15 weeks. The total includes formally structured learning activities such as lectures, tutorials and online learning. The remaining hours typically involve reading, research, and the preparation and submission of tasks for assessment. 

The unit is normally offered in attendance mode and multi-mode. Students learn through formally structured and sequenced learning activities that support the achievement of the learning outcomes. Students are asked to critically reflect, analyse, and integrate new information with existing knowledge, draw meaningful new connections, and then apply what they have learned. Collaborative and peer learning is also emphasised.  

The learning activities enable students to acquire and assimilate knowledge of the Psalms and Wisdom Literature, particularly through modern interpretative approaches, and identify the importance of the Psalms and Wisdom Literature to the life of believers, supported by the presence and articulation of the lecturer and tutors. Building on the foundations laid in THBS100, students will be guided to develop the academic skills needed for biblical study.  

THBS211 emphasises students as active, adult learners. Students are recognised as adult learners who engage best when what they are learning is relevant to them and gives them the opportunity to be responsible for their own learning. In many ways, the student is the one who drives the learning forward. Active participation in this unit is essential. Learning is designed to be an engaging and supportive experience, which helps students to develop critical thinking and reflection skills.  

Assessment strategy and rationale

In order to pass this unit, students are required to attempt all assessment tasks and achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher. The assessment tasks for this unit are designed for students to progressively demonstrate their achievement of each learning outcome.  

Task 1 asks students to identify and describe important features or forms of Hebrew poetry, which are foundational for the study of the Psalms and Wisdom Literature. This task is designed to allow students to display achievement of Learning Outcome 1. The task allows them a relatively low-risk piece of assessment to test their interpretative skills, as well as academic writing techniques. Feedback provided from Task 1 will help them with the other two assessment tasks. 

Task 2 invites students to demonstrate fundamental skills and knowledge to identify appropriate exegetical methods and to use these to critically analyse the meaning and significance of a biblical passage within its social and religious contexts. Particular reference should be given to matters of genre and Sitz im Leben. The principal focus of this task is to allow students to display achievement of Learning Outcome 2.  

Task 3 asks students to research and critically reflect on the contribution of the Psalms and Wisdom Literature to the development of Christian thought and practice, taking into account differences in contexts and hermeneutical perspectives. This may include, but is not limited to, the reception and significance of the Psalms and Wisdom traditions in the pre-Christian era. The principal focus of this task is to allow students to display achievement of Learning Outcomes 3 and 4. 

Overview of assessments

Representative texts and references

Alter, R. The Art of Biblical Poetry. 2nd edition. Philadelphia: Basic Books, 2011. 

Bartholomew, C. G, and R. P. O’Dowd. Old Testament Wisdom Literature: A Theological Introduction. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2018.  

Hayes, C. B. Hidden Riches: A Sourcebook for the Comparative Study of the Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near East. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2014. 

Firth, D., and P. S. Johnston, eds. Interpreting the Psalms: Issues and Approaches. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2013.  

Longman, T., and P. Enns, eds. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry and Writings. IVP Bible Dictionary Series, 3. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2008. 

Lucas, E. C. Exploring the Old Testament: A Guide to the Psalms and Wisdom Literature, III. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2003. 

Petersen, D. L. Interpreting Hebrew Poetry. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2009.  

Walton, J. H. Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible. 2nd edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2018. 

Watson, W. G. E. Classical Hebrew Poetry: A Guide to Its Techniques. London: T&T Clark, 2001. 

Yee, G. A., H. R. Page, and M. J. M. Coomber. Fortress Press Commentary on the Bible: The Old Testament and Apocrypha. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2014.