The Hebrew Bible

The Hebrew Bible is many things. It is an intricately designed work of literature with conflicted, relatable characters. It is an artifact of the past, bearing traces of the unfamiliar world in which it was created. And it is a ritual object found in social practices, from communal chanting to comedic reenactments. How should we understand and hold these multiple possibilities? Through close-readings and in-class discussions, we will build skills in literary analysis, historical consciousness, and cultural literacy. We will come away better equipped to approach and analyze this complicated and crucial text, and we will strengthen our critical approaches to secularism and the study of religion. No prior knowledge is required.