The Salvation Army Booth College

This unit explores the first five books of the Bible and addresses key questions associated with the study of the Pentateuch. You will learn about its content, literary forms, historical, religious and cultural background, including its history of formation and reception. You will also explore the role and place of the Pentateuch within the biblical canon and its overarching narrative. The unit will teach you about the key themes of the pentateuchal story: the identity of YHWH and the Jewish people, creation, covenants, exodus, laws, atonement, and holiness/purity.

The unit code contains information on the level of study, field, discipline, unit and college. Click here to learn what the unit code for this unit represents.

31 July 2023 - 3 November 2023

Four online facilitation sessions on Tuesdays, 7:00-8:00 pm AEST (22/08, 12/09, 10/10, 31/10).

We recommend that you allocate 12 hours a week for all study activities.

Interpreting the Hebrew Bible, or postgraduate foundational equivalent (24 points)

Guided readings, online tutorials and workshops, exegetical exercises, knowledge application exercises, video lessons

Participation activities include online self-paced engagement with learning materials via ARK; participation in four online facilitation sessions; completion of two written assessment tasks (a book review and an essay) and an online presentation.

*This unit is offered at Undergraduate and Postgraduate level. Students may engage with people across both levels when this unit is delivered.

1 x 1,500 word Presentation - 20%

1 x 2,200 word Thematic Essay - 35%

1 x 3,300 word Exegetical Essay - 45%

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Evaluate key hypotheses relating to the origin, unity, and composition of the Pentateuch.

2. Appraise the theological and literary characteristics of different Pentateuchal traditions.

3. Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the historical contexts (political, religious and social) of the Pentateuch.

4. Assess the use of Pentateuchal themes in other biblical traditions.

5. Analyse selected texts from the Pentateuch.

6. Integrate theological ideas located in the Pentateuch into practical application to contemporary life, ministry or social contexts.

To undertake this unit, you are required to have access to a copy of:

Alexander, T. Desmond. From Paradise to the Promised Land: An Introduction to the Pentateuch. 3rd edition. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2012.

This unit textbook is available as an eBook available via UD Library Hub.