OT531: Syllabus page 6
OT531DE: Syllabus Dr. Peter T. Vogt
Fall, 2008 Bethel Seminary
September 22-December 5 Office: A205; Phone: 651-635-8501
Email:
P.O. Box: 7005
Website: www.bethel.edu/~pvogt
Website: www.bethel.edu/~pvogt
Intermediate Hebrew Grammar
Course Description:
A review and expansion of first-year morphology and syntax, with translation of selected passages and vocabulary building. Special attention is given to syntax, textual criticism, and translation techniques. Prerequisite: OT522.
Goals and Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Demonstrate mastery of the basic principles of Hebrew morphology and syntax.
2. Expand a working knowledge of frequently used Hebrew words.
3. Gain confidence in working with the Hebrew text of a variety of genres.
4. Be able to read and comprehend biblical Hebrew texts with greater confidence and independence.
5. Become progressively more familiar with the canon of the Hebrew Bible.
Required Texts:
Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (Hebrew Bible). American Bible Society. ISBN: 3438052229 (or the Reader’s Hebrew Bible, below)
Brown, Driver and Briggs. Hebrew-English Lexicon revised. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1996. ISBN: 1565632060.
Buth, Randall. Living Biblical Hebrew: Selected Readings. Jerusalem: Biblical Language Center, 2006. ISBN: 9657352045.
Chisholm, Robert B., Jr. From Exegesis to Exposition: A Practical Guide to Using Biblical Hebrew. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999. ISBN0801021715.
Silzer, P.J. and T.J. Finley. How Biblical Languages Work: A Student’s Guide to Learning Hebrew and Greek. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2004. ISBN: 0825426448.
Recommended Texts:
Brown, A. Philip II and Bryan W. Smith. A Reader’s Hebrew Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008. ISBN: 0-310-26974-1.
Assignments:
1. Quizzes (40%)
You will have five quizzes, but only the top four will count. Each quiz will be worth 10% of your final grade. Quizzes will cover material covered to that point in the course, but will focus primarily on material covered since the last quiz. Quizzes will assess mastery of the material in that unit.
2. Examination (30%)
There will be a comprehensive final examination covering all aspects of the material covered in this course. Emphasis will be placed on reading comprehension of biblical Hebrew texts.
3. Exegetical Projects (20%)
One of the most important goals of this course is to facilitate an improvement in your confidence and competence in actually using biblical Hebrew. To that end, you are to complete the following assignments:
a. Carefully read the book From Exegesis to Exposition by Robert Chisholm. In it, he presents a helpful review of important grammatical concepts, but also outlines a method for exegesis using the Hebrew text.
b. Complete the exercises on Proverbs 5:15-23 or Psalm 29 in chapter 10 of the book.
c. Use the methodology of the book to complete an exegesis of another passage (not one used as an example in the book) from any of the texts covered in this class
OR
d. Prepare an original, 30 minute sermon on any text covered in this class (except for those used as examples in the textbook) that clearly demonstrates your use of the exegetical method presented in the book. You will submit a written manuscript of the sermon to me (you are welcome to also submit a video or audio recording of you delivering the message). Please note that exegetical skill, not sermon preparation and delivery is the focus of this assignment.
(Note: all students will complete steps a and b. You will then choose to complete either c or d.)
4. Reading/Exercises/Class Participation (10%)
You are expected to read the relevant material in your textbooks. In addition, part of your grade will reflect your overall participation in class sessions.
Grading
Your work will be graded according to the following scale:
· 95 – 100 = A · 85 – 86 = B- · 75 – 76 = D+
· 93 – 94 = A- · 83 – 84 = C+ · 72 – 74 = D
· 91 – 92 = B+ · 79 – 82 = C · 70 – 71 = D-
· 87 – 90 = B · 77 – 78 = C- · 69 and below = F
In addition to the student meeting due dates and using correct English, the following will serve as general criteria for grade levels:
A / Excellent work submitted; outstanding evidence of ability to synthesize and utilize course knowledge; initiative expressed in preparing and completing assignments; creativity and originality manifested in assignment process and outcomes; positive contributions verbalized in class; and consistency and thoroughness of work submitted.B / Good work submitted; substantial evidence of ability to analyze and utilize course knowledge; positive contributions verbalized in class; and consistency and thoroughness of work submitted.
C / Satisfactory performance and thoroughness of work submitted; moderate evidence of ability to utilize knowledge of the subject; and satisfactory class contribution.
D / Poor performance in comprehension of work submitted; and meets minimal credit standard of the professor.
F / Inadequacy of work submitted or performance and attendance in class.
Please note that satisfactory completion of the assigned work does not result in a grade of A. I expect that as graduate students you are all able to complete the assignments satisfactorily. Grades of A are given to work that is consistently outstanding
Plagiarism and Cheating
Any work that involves plagiarism or cheating will be assigned a grade of “0.” Repeated or especially egregious violations may result in the denial of credit for the course, in accordance with the policy outlined in the current catalog and presented in the Academic Course Policies document in Blackboard. Ignorance of what constitutes plagiarism is not an acceptable excuse. If you are unsure as to what constitutes plagiarism or cheating, it is up to you to take the initiative to find out.
Late Work and Incompletes
All assignments are to be handed in by the beginning of class on the date indicated on the course schedule. Unless prior arrangements are made with the professor, late work will be penalized 10% for each day it is overdue, beginning with the first day. (That is, an assignment turned in after the start of class but on the same day is still penalized 10%. The next 10% is taken off 24 hours after the start of class.) No assignments will be accepted more than five days late. Students should take the initiative as much in advance as possible to alert the professor to extenuating circumstances. I am more than willing to take emergencies and crises of various sorts into account. Note, however, that though they often precipitate a crisis or emergency of one kind or another, procrastination, over-scheduling, and over-committing (even in the context of a worthwhile endeavor like ministry) do not constitute a crisis or emergency. Circumstances that a congregation would accept for a pastor’s missing a Sunday sermon would constitute an emergency or crisis for which latitude will be granted.
In accordance with the policy in the current catalog and discussed in the Academic Course Policies document in Blackboard, a grade of incomplete is granted only by written contract. Please see the catalog for full details.
Academic Course Policies
Please familiarize yourself with the catalog requirements as specified in Academic Course Policies document found on the Syllabus page in Blackboard. You are responsible for this information, and any academic violations, such as plagiarism, will not be tolerated.
An Invitation
Please let me know if I can help you in any way. Feel free to contact me about any concerns or confusion you may be experiencing. I can be best contacted via email, but will be happy to set up a phone conference (or an in-office appointment, if you happen to live in the area).
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OT531: Syllabus page 6
Course Schedule
Week / Course Topic / AssignmentsOne
9/22 / Course Introduction
Genesis 22 / Conference call with coaches
Adobe Connect
Two
9/29 / Genesis 22 / Living Biblical Hebrew, pp. 115-21
How Biblical Languages Work, 13-38
Prepare Genesis 22
Vocabulary building
Conference call with coaches
Adobe Connect
Three
10/6 / Genesis 22 / Living Biblical Hebrew, pp. 137-40
How Biblical Languages Work, 39-73
Review Genesis 22
View online material on BDB
Vocabulary building
Conference call with coaches
Adobe Connect
Four
10/13 / Ruth 1 / Living Biblical Hebrew, pp. 141-52
How Biblical Languages Work, 74-117
Prepare Ruth 1
Vocabulary building
Conference call with coaches
Adobe Connect
Quiz One
Five
10/20 / Ruth 2 / Living Biblical Hebrew, pp. 153-57
How Biblical Languages Work, 118-42
Prepare Ruth 2
View online material on NIDOTTE
Vocabulary building
Conference call with coaches
Adobe Connect
Six
10/27 / Ruth 3 / Living Biblical Hebrew, pp. 158-61
How Biblical Languages Work, 143-59
Prepare Ruth 3
Vocabulary building
Conference call with coaches
Adobe Connect
Quiz Two
Seven
11/3 / Ruth 4 / How Biblical Languages Work, 74-117
Prepare Ruth 4
View online material on syntax references
Vocabulary building
Conference call with coaches
Adobe Connect
Eight
11/10 / Exodus 19-20 / Living Biblical Hebrew, pp. 162-85
How Biblical Languages Work, pp. 160-208
Prepare Exodus 19-20
Read Psalm 150
Vocabulary building
Conference call with coaches
Adobe Connect
Quiz Three
Nine
11/17 / Psalm 8 / How Biblical Languages Work, pp. 209-29
Prepare Psalm 8
Read Psalm 23
Vocabulary building
Conference call with coaches
Adobe Connect
Quiz Four
Ten
11/24 / Deuteronomy 6:4-9 / Prepare Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Read Proverbs 3:1-8
Vocabulary building
Conference call with coaches
Adobe Connect
Quiz Five
Eleven
12/1 / Final Exam
Exegetical Projects due
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