Department of Theology, Reinbolt Hall, One Camino Santa Maria, San Antonio, TX 78228
Spring 2023, Reinbolt 002 and Zoom (thanneken), Tuesdays 6:30–9:15pm
Dr. Todd Hanneken, thanneken@stmarytx.edu, Reinbolt 303a, 210-431-8050 (office)
Office hours: Tuesdays 4–6pm, Wednesdays 5–6pm, and by appointment.
Course Website: palimpsest.stmarytx.edu/thanneken/th6317
This course studies the history of how Israelites and their successors have articulated understandings of the meaning of history and particularly the role of God in salvation history. The period from the national origin of Israel through the Babylonian exile is studied from a wide variety of viewpoints. These viewpoints include early national hymns, the Deuteronomists’ retelling, the Chroniclers’ retelling, apocalyptic retellings, Midrashic retellings, the modern history of religions school, archaeology, other historical-critical methods, and postmodern contemporary-critical methods such as post-colonial interpretation.
The Capstone version of the course has the same requirements with the additional expectation of integrating learning in different areas of theology and preparing to continue theological inquiry and application after coursework. Specifically, the final paper will integrate sources and methods typically associated with Christian Life and Practice and Systematic Theology based on prior coursework and independent research.
By the end of the course the student should be able to:
Attendance and Engagement: Students are expected to attend every class on time and be prepared to participate. More than two unexcused absences can result in disenrollment. An absence is a concern with or without an excuse because being present in the classroom is fundamental to learning the material. Engagement includes paying attention, asking questions, answering questions, contributing to discussion, and generally making an effort to participate in the course. Paying attention to other tasks is incompatible with engaging with the course.
Exam: The final exam will focus on knowledge of objective information and the ability to organize relevant information into a concise explanation.
Paper: The final paper will demonstrate synthesis of material from the readings and discussion with independent research.
The overall grade will be calculated from the average of the three major activities and responsibilities.
What follows until the schedule should be standard for all your classes at St. Mary’s.
All university policies apply to this course, including the following.
This course adheres to the University grading scale.
https://catalog.stmarytx.edu
| Letter | Percent | Quality Points |
|---|---|---|
| A | 95–100 | 4.00 |
| A- | 90–94 | 3.67 |
| B+ | 87–89 | 3.33 |
| B | 84–86 | 3.00 |
| B- | 80–83 | 2.67 |
| C+ | 77–79 | 2.33 |
| C | 70–76 | 2.00 |
| D | 60–69 | 0.00 |
| F | Below 60 | 0.00 |
This course adheres to University academic policies and procedures.
https://catalog.stmarytx.edu
This course adheres to the policies for academic dishonesty and misconduct, as described in the Student Code of Conduct.
https://catalog.stmarytx.edu
This course adheres to the University attendance policy.
https://catalog.stmarytx.edu
This course adheres to the University diversity statement. St. Mary’s University embodies the Marianist spirit of educating the heart and mind. The University draws on the example of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, founder of the Society of Mary, to create an environment that lets students thrive and where diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential. The intersectionality of our diverse experiences and characteristics are valued in all spaces within our community. Thus, we all must be committed to building an inclusive learning environment that values the individual experiences of every student in this course and where each has an opportunity to learn, engage in dialogue, question, and contribute to their fullest potential.
This course adheres to the Graduate Incomplete Policy.
An instructor may submit an IP or IC in lieu of a grade when a student has been unable to complete all of the assignments in a course, providing the student's work was otherwise satisfactory.
An IP, given only for theses, practica, and internships, remains in effect until the work is completed.
An IC is given for a regular course in which the work has not been completed.
An IC which is not completed within six (6) months from the ending date of the semester may be assigned a grade, as appropriate.
If no grade is assigned, the incomplete will remain on the transcript permanently as IC.
As an exception the Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences may extend the six-month period upon request of the Program Director.
Generally, an extension for completion of an IC will not exceed six months.
https://catalog.stmarytx.edu
The Graduate Center for Excellence, located on the third floor of the Louis J. Blume Library, includes collaborative learning stations with extensive access to technology designed exclusively for graduate student use.
Writing and research methods support can be accessed by making an appointment with the Rattler Success Center.
The schedule for tutoring information is located on the Rattler Success Center Gateway page.
More details can be found at
https://www.stmarytx.edu
This course adheres to the policies for study days and final exams.
There will be two study days, Wednesday, May 3 and Thursday, May 4, during which students prepare for final exams.
No classes are scheduled on study days.
Final exams will be held on Friday, May 5 and Monday-Wednesday, May 8-10.
The final exam schedule can be found at
https://www.stmarytx.edu
St. Mary’s University is committed to providing a safe, equitable, and fair environment where students can pursue academic excellence. Policies and procedures have been developed to foster and sustain such an environment and apply to all courses offered at the university. Students need to be aware of these policies and procedures, which can be found at https://www.stmarytx.edu/policies/.
Please become familiar with these important policies and procedures, which include:
This course adheres to the University Disability Statement. In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act, Student Accessibility Services is the designated office responsible for coordinating all accommodations and services for students with disabilities at St. Mary’s University. St. Mary’s University supports equal access of qualifying individuals with documented disabilities to all educational opportunities, programs, services and activities. If you have a documented disability, or a condition which may impact your performance and want to request disability-related accommodations, you must first register with the Office of Student Accessibility Services, located in the Student Counseling Center (in the Center for Life Directions Building) in room 139. Please stop by the Student Accessibility Services Office, call 210-431-5080 or email stmudsts@stmarytx.edu to set up an appointment to meet with the Student Accessibility Services staff.
This course adheres to all emergency adaptations declared by the University.
https://www.stmarytx.edu
Introductions – Tuesday, January 17, 2023
The Origin of Israel in Canaan – Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Early Hymns and Psalms – Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Historical Psalms – Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Monarchic Period, Deuteronomistic History – Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Persian Period, Chronicles – Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Persian Period, Ezra-Nehemiah – Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Paper Prospectus Presentations; Mid-Course Review – Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Spring Break – Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Hellenistic Period – Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Dead Sea Scrolls – Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Roman Period – Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Christian Retellings – Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Rabbinic Retellings – Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Catch-up and Synthesis – Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Paper Presentations – Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Final Exam – Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Final Paper – Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Updated 12/21/2022