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Unit of study_

BBCL3602: Job, Proverbs and Other Biblical Wisdom

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

The Books of Job, Ecclesiastes and Proverbs form the bulk of wisdom literature in the Hebrew Bible. In this unit students will apply advanced methods in analysis of biblical texts (literary, thematic, linguistic, and text critical) in order to understand the nature of Biblical wisdom literature on all levels. This will include examining these texts within the context of other wisdom literature both within the Hebrew Bible, such as wisdom psalms and in Deuterocanonical texts, such as Sirach.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BBCL3602
Academic unit Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
BBCL2608
Prerequisites
? 
BBCL2603 or BBCL2607 or BBCL2609 or BBCL2610 or BBCL3601 or HBRW2623 or HBRW2625 or HBRW2632 or HBRW3601 or HBRW3602
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Gili Kugler, gili.kugler@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Tutorial paper
1200-1500 words (based on your class presentation)
20% - 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Participation Class participation
Active contribution to lecture & tutorial discussions + ongoing reading req
20% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation Tutorial presentation
Presenting text exegesis & class discussion. Choose from topics 2-13
10% Ongoing eqiv. 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Main essay
Essay
50% Week 13
Due date: 12 Nov 2021 at 12:14
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

Class attendance and participation:

Attendance is compulsory in both lectures and tutorials via zoom. In case of absence, you will be asked to complete a required task.

Reading preparation is required before and after classes. Assigned biblical passages to be read before lesson and two articles afterwards. The articles sum up ideas discussed in the lectures and will be of use in the tutorial. The mark is given for active involvement and contributing to both lectures and tutorials.

Tutorial presentation and paper – The tutorials are related to ideas and issues discussed in the lectures. Each student chooses one tutorial topic and prepares a class presentation to promote a discussion in the tutorial. The presentation is an exegetical analysis of a specific biblical text in light of a question assigned to it and two articles related to the lecture of the week before.

SEE MORE IN COURSE OUTLINE (pp. 5-7)

Final essay – For the final essay (3000 words) choose one of the two topics below for discussion:

  1. According to biblical wisdom literature – should one expect divine providence?  
  1. What is the right way to live according to biblical wisdom literature? What is the reward for living this way?

SEE MORE IN COURSE OUTLINE (pp. 6-7)

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction: wise and wisdom in the Hebrew Bible Lecture (2 hr)  
Introduction and division of presentations Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 02 The teaching of Proverbs Lecture (2 hr)  
Is Proverbs 30 a wisdom text? Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 03 Wisdom and women in proverbs Lecture (2 hr)  
“Listen, children, to a father’s discipline/instruction (mûsar, מוסר)” (Prov 4:1): Is the purpose of mûsar to achieve success? or to build morality? Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 04 Divine retribution within didactic wisdom Lecture (2 hr)  
Who/what is the “forbidden/strange (זרה) woman” of Proverbs 5? Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 05 Divine retribution: challenging common assumptions Lecture (2 hr)  
What are the grounds for and the characteristics of poverty according to Proverbs 19? Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 06 Satan, Job and friends: in search of the roots of evil Lecture (2 hr)  
Is there a way to determine when the book of Job was written? Would this provide a better understanding of the book? Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 07 Worm or Leviathan: what is a human? Lecture (2 hr)  
Are Job’s views different between the narrative and poetic sections? Demonstrate your discussion through one of Job’s responses to his friends. Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 08 A mere experiment or a lesson for life? the end of Job within the broader story Lecture (2 hr)  
“But where shall wisdom be found?” (Job 28:12). Who might be the speaker of Job 28? Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 09 Is there a meaning to life? The challenge of Qoheleth Lecture (2 hr)  
Why did Job have to suffer? Does anyone in the book provide a convincing answer to that? Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 10 Qoheleth the person and the educator Lecture (2 hr)  
Why are Qoheleth’s words in Ecc 4 considered “non-didactic wisdom”? Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 11 The fate of mortals: life and death according to Qoheleth Lecture (2 hr)  
Is Qoheleth of Ecc 5 an educator? Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 12 Was it all in vain? The end of Qoheleth Lecture (2 hr)  
Is there a point to life according to Ecc 12:1-8? Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 13 Wisdom in the Apocrypha, New Testament and Qumran Lecture (2 hr)  
Does Ecc 8 convey that one should “Fear God and keep his commandments”? Tutorial (1 hr)  

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit are available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Analyse the Biblical wisdom books on a literary and thematic level
  • LO2. Compare the books to one another according to themes and approaches
  • LO3. Differentiate between the various types and styles of wisdom literature
  • LO4. Discuss questions of defining a literary genre
  • LO5. Define and trace philosophical and theological matters in the texts
  • LO6. Conduct guided independent research into key questions relating to the themes, style and structure of the wisdom books

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

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