The Old Testament: The
Pentateuch
Created by Dr. Hugh R. Page, Jr., a Notre
Dame Theology Professor, this course will offer a survey
of the first five books of the Old Testament, the Pentateuch,
with particular emphasis placed on their theological content
and scope. Special attention will be given to the implications
of the multifaceted engagement of Sacred Scripture in Christian
ecclesial contexts for the purposes of preaching, lay ministry,
and spiritual formation. At the end of the course, participants
will have gained familiarity with some of the major theological
themes in each of these and a deeper appreciation of the
ways in which these books have been and continue to be used
in the enrichment of the Christian life of faith. The course
will take students on a metaphorical pilgrimage through
Scripture. In so doing, it will invite them to establish
a closer kinship with the text and its characters while
at the same time providing them with sustenance for the
journey. A willing spirit and the ability to read, contemplate,
and pray are the only pre-requisites.
Unit 1: Studying the Old Testament, an
Overview
- The Bible as Foundation of Spirituality
- The Old Testament's Cultural Context
and Setting
- Canon and Theology--Their Relationship
to One Another
- Methods used in Studying the Bible
Unit 2: Genesis
Unit 3: Exodus
Unit 4: Leviticus and Numbers
Unit 5: Deuteronomy
- Created by Notre Dame Theology
Professor.
- Six weeks in duration, with one week
for orientation.
- Typically 15-20 students in each course.
- All lecture text available online in
text format.
- Supplemental readings are provided
to encourage further exploration of topic, internet links
provided for all readings.
- Weekly written assignments (150-200
words) required.
- Weekly facilitator-moderated chat sessions
with course participants.
- All course materials available online
in the course.
Requirements for course include:
- Weekly reading of assigned texts from
the Bible and accompanying lecture notes.
- Participation in class discussion using
discussion area (minimum 2 comments, questions or responses
weekly.)
- Weekly written assignment (150-200
words.)
- Weekly chat session with other course
participants (attend minimum of 3 during course).
- Course evaluation.
- 4 to 6 hours a week (time varies from
student to student depending on your learning style and
schedule.)
A Certificate of Completion awarding 30
Contact Hours will be sent upon completion of all course
requirements.
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Dr. Page does work
in the areas of Near Eastern languages and cultures,
Hebrew Bible research, and Afrodiasporan studies.
He is particularly interested in early Hebrew poetry;
the cartographic impulse of ancient epic; theories
of myth; African American biblical interpretation;
the use of religious traditions and sacred texts in
the construction of individual and corporate identity
in the Black community; and the role of mysticism
and esoterism in African American, Afro-Caribbean,
and Afro-Canadian spirituality. He is a Research Associate
of Human Relations Area Files at Yale University,
co-chair of the African American Biblical Hermeneutics
Section of the Society of Biblical Literature, and
belongs to the American Academy of Religion and the
Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. He has
recently been elected to membership in both the Augustan
Society and the Society for the Study of Black Religion.
His published works include Exploring New Paradigms
in Biblical and Cognate Studies (as editor) and
The Myth of Cosmic Rebellion: A Study of its Reflexes
in Ugaritic and Biblical Literature. He has received
numerous honors for his academic, administrative,
and other activities including the James L. Moore
Scholar Award (1989), the Kaneb Award for excellence
in teaching (2000), the Erskine Peters Award from
the ND Chapter of the NAACP (2000), a Presidential
Award from the University of Notre Dame (2001), and
a citation from the University's African and African-American
Studies Program for outstanding leadership (2002).
B.A., Hampton Institute, 1977;
M.Div., General Theological Seminary, 1980; S.T.M.,
General Theological Seminary, 1983; M.A., Harvard
University, 1988; Ph.D., Harvard University, 1990
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