Old Testament Concentration

This concentration enhances the student’s ability to understand, research, and teach the Old Testament through development of exegetical tools that facilitate detailed and accurate analysis of biblical texts in their original Hebrew, against their ancient near eastern background, and exegetically controlled theological reflection on those texts to reach viable conclusions. Exegetical tools include a thorough knowledge of Hebrew grammar, syntax, and word-study (semantic/lexicographical) methodology; ability to identify and take into account literary genres, structures, rhetorical strategies, and themes; proficiency in identifying and wisely utilizing relevant secondary resources, distinguishing between solid data and scholarly interpretations; and acquaintance with ancient near eastern material, textual, cultural, geographic, and historic information that sheds light on the Bible in various ways.

This concentration requires 18 credits in addition to the core requirements for the MA Religion (Specialized).