University of Wisconsin-Madison
Biblical Poetry in Translation
(Hebrew 237, Jewish 237, Relig St 237, Lit Trans 237)
Spring 2005
Class:
TTh
Instructor: Michael Lyons email: malyons@wisc.edu
Office:
1340 Van Hise Hall
office
phone: 262-9553
Office
Hours: TTh
Course Description
This course examines the poetic literature of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) in translation. One-third of the Bible is poetry, but it is poetry that differs radically from the poetry of the Western world, both in its structural features and in the ways it functioned socially in ancient Israel.
We will begin with the distinctive features of biblical poetry and examine how biblical poetry is structured. Rather than employing rhyme or meter as in classical Western poetry, ancient Hebrew poets shaped their poems by means of parallel lines, metaphor, simile, and other semantic features, a fact that greatly enhances our ability to appreciate the poets’ artistry even in translation.
The social functions of poetry within Israelite society also differed in many respects from that of the Western world. Poetry was used for songs of victory and lament, liturgy, prophetic discourse, proverbial sayings, philosophical discussions, and depictions of erotic love. Our understanding of both the forms and functions of biblical poetry will be enhanced through an examination of the similar poetry from neighboring ancient Near Eastern society (for example, proverbial poetry and erotic poetry from Egypt, philosophical poetry from Mesopotamia).
Finally, the influence of biblical poetry on later religious literature has been extraordinary. We will briefly examine some of the reflexes of biblical poetry in Jewish literature from the Dead Sea Scrolls, in a poem and aphorisms in the New Testament, and in Jewish and Christian liturgies.
Textbooks
The Jewish Study Bible, featuring the JPS Tanakh Translation (Oxford University Press) [ISBN 0195297547, available at the University Bookstore]. Please note: This version of the Bible will be used for all of our class discussions of the poems in the Bible. It also has introductions to the biblical books that will be assigned, as well as other helpful material (e.g., notes, maps). If you choose not to purchase this version of the Bible or you do not wish to bring it to class, it is extremely important that you photocopy the biblical passages under discussion and bring the copies to class with you.
Coursepack [abbreviated C on the
schedule] —
available at Bob’s Copy Shop
Honors Credit [see separate syllabus]
This course is available for honors credit. Honors course work will involve additional readings and a paper that analyzes a biblical poem that we did not discuss in class (see separate syllabus).
Requirements and Grading
1. Attendance — Attendance for the lectures is very important, since there is no single source in the library (or the internet) for the material covered in the lectures. Attendance will not be taken directly, but the ability to complete the course assignments will indirectly reflect your attendance (see #3-4). Students whose behavior in class is disruptive can expect a reduction in their final grade. We will start class on time and end on time. Please don’t disrupt the class by arriving late or leaving early.
2. Reading — Every reading assignment must be completed on the indicated day.
3. Worksheets (25%) — These are brief assignments connected with some of the readings. The purpose of the worksheets is to guide you in your reading and to apply the previous lectures to your reading. There will be between 15 and 20 worksheets throughout the course of the semester. Ten percent of the worksheets will not be included in the calculation of the final grade. Late worksheets are not accepted, because assignments will be discussed in class on the day they are due. Worksheets cannot be made up, but I will not count against you worksheets missed because of a documented emergency (hospitalization, funeral, etc.). Students who participate in university activities (e.g., sports) which require them to miss class must make arrangements with the professor before they miss class.
4. Exams (75%) — There will be two exams in the course—a midterm (35%) and a final (40%). Missed exams may be made up only in the case of a documented emergency (hospitalization, funeral, etc.). You must take the final exam at its scheduled time (Thurs, May 12, 10:05 a.m.).
Grading scale: A 94.0–100 C 70.0–75.9
AB 88.0–93.9 D 60.0–69.9
B 82.0–87.9 F 0–59.9
BC 76.0–81.9
Office hours and Special Accommodations
I am
available during office hours and by appointment. Please see me
as soon
as possible if you are having difficulty with the course.
Students
needing special accommodations for disabilities should provide
documentation
from the McBurney Center at the beginning
of the
semester.
If you have trouble accessing this page, contact Chris Dargis (cadargis@wisc.edu)
Latest revision date: 11/15/2005 (cad)