Meets with ENG L460 and Religious Studies R410
Carries Cultural Studies Credit List A

Topic: THE POETICS OF BIBLICAL NARRATIVE


Close reading of the books of Genesis and Samuel, concentrating on the
interrelation of literary theory and biblical scholarship.  Our
initial aim will be intimate acquaintance with the complexities of the
text, including the ideas behind it and the ideas it has inspired; but
we shall be concerned too with more general issues of authority and
originality, metaphor and enigma, interpretative license and the
status of the author--issues which biblical criticism raises in their
acutest form.  Secondary reading will include ancient Near Eastern
parallels, literary retellings, and classic works of biblical
interpretation, ancient and
modern, religious and secular.

No special preparation or knowledge is required, but some background
in literary and/or biblical studies is recommended.

Requirements: a short exegetical exercise, a class report, and a final
paper.