WSOLC Western Seminary Online Campus s1

WSOLC – Western Seminary Online Campus Course Number: BLS 511E – Spring 2015 Course Title: Genesis to Song of Solomon Survey Instructor: J. Carl Laney, Th.D. or Jon Raibley, Th.M. Lectures by: J. Carl Laney, Th.D. Credit Hours: 2

COURSE SCHEDULE

This course is offered in both an 8 and a 16 week schedule. You can see a “Course Schedule by Week” in this syllabus. After enrollment in the course you can see a course schedule with specific dates in the learning center for your assignments.

COURSE PURPOSE

This course is designed to help the student know the major theme and developments within biblical history and to understand the "big picture" of God's redemptive program.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This initial course in biblical literature lays a foundation for further study of the Bible by introducing the biblical covenants and God's kingdom program. Our examination of the Pentateuch will focus on the great attributes of God. The historical books will show how God works among His people. We will conclude with a consideration of the practical lessons found in the Wisdom Books and Psalms. Required for MA-Counseling students only; other degree students enroll in BLS 501. Recommended pre- or co- requisite: DBS 516. 2 credit hours (Required for MFT & MA Counseling students).

COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

1. The Curriculum Objective for the BLS courses is that the student will know the major themes and developments of God’s redemptive activity revealed in Scripture. By the end of the course, you will be able to summarize the framework of biblical history, the contribution of each book to the canon, the argument of each book, and its relevance for contemporary ministry.

2. The student will have a meaningful experience in studying God's Word and grow spiritually. To achieve this goal, you will interact with other members of God’s family to explore the practical application of biblical principles and what it means to practice "the fear of the Lord." By the end of the course, you will demonstrate the ability to identify principles of personal spiritual growth, and communicate specific plans for developing these in your life.

3. Through careful synthesis and analysis of Scripture the student will acquire a biblical foundation on which to build a ministry. To achieve this goal we

BLS 511E Syllabus - 1 - will introduce and practice Bible study skills. The interaction project will provide opportunity to apply these study skills. By the end of the course, you will be able to identify and communicate key principles for ministry found within the books studied.

4. The student will master the basic message of each book studied. By the end of the course, you will be able to summarize the theme, purpose, theological contribution and contemporary relevance of each book.

5. The student will know the major themes and developments in God's plan for the ages. By the end of the course, you will be able to describe the Abrahamic Covenant and demonstrate how this unconditional promise of a land, nation and blessing lays a foundation for God’s future dealings with his people. You will also be able to explain the beginnings of God's redemptive program, the place and purpose of the law in the religious life and society of believing Israel, and describe how people were saved in the Old Testament economy.

6. The student will know the basic framework and major developments within biblical history. By the end of the course, you will be able to outline the history of the period and identify the significance of key biblical dates (2166, 1876, 1446, 1406, 1375, 1050, 970, 966, 931, 722, 701, 586, 473).

7. The student will become familiar with the literature of the books studied in this course. By the end of the course, you will be able to identify (1) the major elements of the covenant form (suzerain-vassal treaty), (2) the various categories of the psalms and types of Hebrew parallelism, (3) the distinctive features of Hebrew Wisdom literature and explain what is meant by "the fear of the Lord."

TEXTBOOKS

Required: English Standard Version, ISBN- 13: 978-1433534157, MSRP:$11.99 (Or) New American Standard Bible, ISBN- 13: 978-1885217950, MSRP:$8.99. Journal articles; provided on web-based learning center.

Important Note: Required and recommended course texts are subject to change at any time. You are encouraged to purchase these titles through the Amazon.com associate program; you may use the links provided above, or the search option found on the Western website under “Students/Online”: http://www.westernseminary.edu/students/online

COURSE FORMAT

1. Course Audio/Video Materials. Shortly after your course registration, you will receive instructions about how to download your course using the Integr@te program (not earlier than three weeks from your start date).

2. Learning Center. You will also be given access to a web-based learning center which functions as your classroom for the course. There you will find:

BLS 511E Syllabus - 2 -  The course syllabus. Please Note: The syllabus in your learning center is the governing course syllabus. Syllabi downloaded from the seminary website, or received from any other source, are for informational purposes only.

 A week-by-week schedule to help you successfully complete the course on time with the least amount of stress. To discuss changing the assignment due dates within the schedule, please contact Jon Raibley: [email protected]

 A progress report for each lesson, by which you will indicate whether you completed your lesson requirements. While still allowing great deal of scheduling flexibility, progress reports help us to help you if you begin to fall behind.

 Assignment summaries and links for uploading assignments.

 Links to discussion forums, your course instructor and other students, the distance learning support team, as well as links to other helpful communication and instructional resources.

3. Responsibilities. Before the end of the first week of the session, you need to log onto the online learning center to complete and upload the course affirmation file. By federal law, we now need to ensure that students participate in courses for the full length of the course. So failure to complete the course affirmation on- time will result in a loss of course points and may impact your financial aid eligibility.

Students will receive on-time completion points for finishing their course work according to the schedule. This means students in the 8 week sessions are required to have all their course work into their course instructor by the end of week 7. Students in the 16 week sessions are required to have all their work into their course instructor by the end of week 15. If you have not been granted an extension, graded assignments turned in after 8:00 a.m. on Monday of the final week may be subject to a late penalty of up to 10% per day. No online completion points will be granted after that time.

4. Course Instructor. You will be assigned a course instructor who will participate as appropriate in classroom activities; review, grade, and provide feedback on course assignments; and interact with you on any questions you have about the course. When you receive your course materials, you will also receive contact information for your course instructor. Please contact your course instructor within two weeks of your course start date and maintain regular contact throughout the course.

ASSIGNMENTS

1. Participation Requirements. For each lesson, complete the items as instructed in your learning center, and submit the progress report verifying that you’ve done so. These progress reports are our primary means of

BLS 511E Syllabus - 3 - verifying your attendance, and each is worth up to one point toward your final grade. If the progress report is submitted by the due date on your course schedule, you’ll receive 100% of the report grade. If you submit the progress report late, but within two weeks of the due date, you will receive 80%. If you submit the progress report more than two weeks late, you will receive 50%. And, of course, if you fail to submit a progress report at all, you will receive 0%. Certain changes are allowed within the course schedule, to allow for flexibility. You may contact Jon Raibley for details: [email protected].

In addition, you are to complete three activities that will allow us to verify your participation at key points within the course, in compliance with federal regulations. Failure to complete these activities within the designated times may impact the amount or timing of federal financial aid you receive.

. First week participation: Within the first week of the posted course dates, complete and upload the affirmation file.

. On-time verification. By the date listed in the schedule, submit your final assignments and complete the verification assignment, to confirm that you finished the course work on time.

. Course evaluation and reflection. Within the final week of the posted course dates, complete the course evaluation and reflection assignment; a link will be emailed to you at that time.

Points: 38 points possible (32 for progress reports, 1 for affirmation file, 5 for on-time verification

2. Reading Requirements: Read the following required materials for familiarity. Familiarity assumes highlighting and general acquaintance with the ideas in the text but not specific points or details.

 Selections of the biblical books studied (see the list later in this syllabus for assigned chapters),  Class notes, found in your online learning center. Note: In the class notes, you’ll find study questions for each lesson. You are not required to complete these questions.

Time: 15 hours estimated reading time.

3. Course Materials: View all media components for the lesson.

Time: 60 hours estimated viewing time.

4. Bible Reviews. In this course you will complete four Bible reviews according to the schedule in your learning center. These are open-Bible, open-note exercises designed to measure your mastery of the course objectives. Study guides will be provided for each review.

Total Review Time: 20 hours estimated time (5 hours each). Total Review Points: 200 Points possible (50 points each).

BLS 511E Syllabus - 4 - GRADING SCALE

A+ A A- B+ B B- 99-100% 95-98% 93-94% 91-92% 88-90% 86-87% C+ C C- D+ D D- 84-85% 81-83% 79-80% 77-78% 74-76% 70-73%

ASSIGNMENT SUMMARY

Approx. Points Session Assignment Hours Possible Due 1. Participation Requirements 15 Reading Each 38 Course Lectures lesson Policy Affirmation, On Time Verification, 60 Course Evaluation 5. Bible Reviews 5 50 13 Review 1: Genesis – Numbers Review 2: Deuteronomy – 2 Samuel 5 50 19 Review 3: Kings – Esther 5 50 24 Review 4: Job – Song of Solomon 5 50 End date Totals 95 238

REFERENCE AND RESOURCE WORKS

Pentateuch and Historical Books Avi-Yonah and Aharoni, The Macmillan Bible Atlas F. F. Bruce, Israel and the Nations William Dyrness, Themes in Old Testament Theology Larry R. Helyer, Yesterday, Today and Forever Walter C. Kaiser, Toward An Old Testament Theology ______, ed. Classical Evangelical Essays J. Carl Laney, First and Second Samuel ______, Ezra-Nehemiah ______, Answers to Tough Questions ______, Concise Bible Atlas Eugene H. Merrill, Kingdom of Priests. James B. Pritchard, The Ancient Near East Leon Wood, A Survey of Israel's History (revised ed.)

Poetic and Wisdom Literature Ronald B. Allen, Praise!, When Song is New & Lord of Song James B. Crenshaw, Old Testament Wisdom J. Carl Laney, Everything I know about Success Gerhard von Rad, Wisdom in Israel Claus Westermann, Praise and Lament in the Psalms

Suggested Readings

BLS 511E Syllabus - 5 - Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., "The Blessing of David: The Charter for Humanity," in The Law and the Prophets, ed. John H. Skilton (Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing House, 1974): 298-318. J. Carl Laney, "A Fresh Look at the Imprecatory Psalms," Bib Sac (January-March, 1981): 35-45. Cleon L. Rogers, "The Covenant With Moses and Its Historical Setting," JETS (Summer 1971): 141-56. John J. Bimson & David Livingston, "Redating the Exodus," Biblical Archaeology Review (Sept.-Oct. 1987): 40-68. Gordon J. Wenham "The Deuteronomic Theology of the Book of Joshua," JBL 90 (1971): 140-148. J. Stafford Wright, "The Interpretation of Ecclesiastes" in Classical Evangelical Essays, ed. Walter C. Kaiser (Baker Book House, 1971): 133-150.

COURSE SEQUENCE

Important: See the course schedule in the learning center for the due dates of your assignments.

16- Lessons Assignments & Notes 8-Week Week 1. God’s Plan (For each lesson, complete the progress report) 1 2. Creation Read: Genesis 1, 2 1 3. Fall, Flood, Covenant Read: Genesis 3-11 4. Themes of Genesis Read: Genesis 12-50 2 5. The Exodus & Passover Read: Exodus 1-15 6. The Mosaic Covenant Read: Exodus 19-24 3 7. The Tabernacle Read: Exodus 25-27, 32-34 2 8. Sacrifice & Separation Read: Leviticus 1-15 4 9. Holy Convocations Read: Leviticus 16-23 10. Wilderness & wrath Read: Numbers 1-6, 13-14 11. Balaam Oracles Read: Numbers 22-25 5 12. Laws and Decisions Read: Deuteronomy 1-6, 27-30 Review 1: Genesis – Numbers 3 13. The Conquest Read: Joshua 1-12, 24 6 14. Cycles of Apostasy Read: Judges 1-21 15. The Romance of Redemption Read: Ruth 16. The Rise of the Monarchy Read: 1 Samuel 1-15, 31 7 4 17. David Read: 1 Samuel 16-17; & 2 Samuel 1-12 8 Review 2: Deuteronomy – 2 Samuel 18. Solomon Read: 1 Kings 1-10 9 19. The Divided Monarchy Read: 1 Kings 11-12, 17-20 5 20. The Solitary Monarchy Read: 2 Kings 17-25 10 21. Return from Exile Read: Ezra 22. Preservation in Exile Read: Esther 23. Lessons from Chronicles Read: Chronicles 11 24. Rebuilding Jerusalem Read: Nehemiah Review 3: Kings – Esther 6 25. Introduction to Wisdom Read: Psalm 1 12 26. Job’s Tragedy, Struggle & Triumph Read: Job 1-14, 32-42 27. Categories of the Psalms Read: Psalms 1-24, 51

BLS 511E Syllabus - 6 - 28. Praise! Read: Psalms 93-124, 139 13 29. Successful Living Read: Proverbs 1-10 30. Coping With Life’s Frustrations Read: Ecclesiastes 31. Probing Proverbs Read: Proverbs 11-31 7 32. Lessons on Love Read: Song of Solomon 14 Review 4: Job – Song of Solomon On-time Verification (16 week course, ok to submit in week 15). 15 Course Evaluation and Reflection. If you have 8 not been granted an extension, graded assignments 16 turned in after 8:00 a.m. on Monday of the final week may be subject to a late penalty of up to 10% per day.

COURSE POLICIES

Attendance and Late Assignments: Student will receive on-time completion points for finishing their course according to the schedule. Students in the 8 week sessions are required to have all their course work into their course instructor by end of week 7. Students in the 16 week sessions are required to have all their work into their course instructor by end of week 15. If you have not been granted an extension, graded assignments turned in after 8:00 a.m. on Monday of the final week may be subject to a late penalty of up to 10% per day. No online completion points will be granted after that time.

Copyright Violation and Plagiarism: Research in secondary sources for the written project is permitted and welcomed. However, any appropriation of either ideas or wording taken from other sources, whether print or electronic, must be properly footnoted. Failure to do so constitutes plagiarism which can result in substantial grade reduction or failure. Any unauthorized copying or use of copyrighted materials, including downloaded files of various kinds, can result in criminal charges and fines. For a fuller explanation of these issues or WS's copyright policy, see the Copyright Issues and Cheating" section of the Student Handbook: http://www.westernseminary.edu/academic/handbook-copyright.

Incompletes/Extensions: In the case of serious illness, family emergency, or other extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control, students may request one course extension of no more than 4 weeks. Registration for a distance education course is conditional upon the successful completion of any current course you are taking. If you have received an extension for your current course, you are expected to finish your current courses before your next Online Campus course start date to stay registered.

If students face a personal emergency that requires requesting an extension going beyond the end of the semester, it may affect their ability to receive financial aid in the next semester, and they may face the possibility that their next semester’s course registrations will be cancelled. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for assistance.

Audit/Enrichment Students: Enrichment students are encouraged, but not obligated, to participate in assignments and class discussions. Professors are not

BLS 511E Syllabus - 7 - obligated to grade participation for these students, but may opt to do so depending on class size.

The Availability of Disability Services at Western Seminary: Western Seminary is committed to responding to the needs of students with disabilities as outlined in both the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Western students are assisted individually as their needs dictate. It is the responsibility of students with disabilities to identify themselves and the nature of the disability. Any student who has a disability should contact the seminary’s Disability (Section 504) Coordinator, Ashley Mitchell, at 503-517-1819/1-877-517-1800, ext. 1819. Her office is at the Portland campus. Students at the northern California campuses may contact Student Services Coordinator – San Jose or Director of Student Services – Sacramento, or they may contact Ms Mitchell directly. Appropriate forms will be provided and must be submitted to the Disability Coordinator’s office.

Questions regarding this course or its materials should be directed to:

Western Seminary Online Campus 5511 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR, 97215 Attn: Jon Raibley - Email: [email protected] 1-800-893-8567 - In Portland: 503-517-1899

BLS 511E Syllabus - 8 -